7 tips for converting your fluorescent tubes to LEDs

On the one hand, LED tubes have numerous advantages over the old fluorescent tubes, but only a few disadvantages. On the other hand, a ban on the current T8 fluorescent tubes will come into force from August 25, 2023 anyway. That's why it makes sense to gradually have every single fluorescent tube converted to LED, or to tackle it yourself. LED tubes are extremely energy efficient compared to the old fluorescent tubes. So the power consumption decreases after the conversion. At the same time, the environmental impact is lower, because there is no mercury in the LED, whereas there is in the fluorescent tube.

Fluorescent tubes do not turn on immediately when the light switch is pressed. The initial flickering, accompanied by a more or less loud buzzing and cracking sound, lasts longer and longer over time: fluorescent tubes have a limited service life. Each on and off switching shortens the life of the fluorescent tube.

We are talking about a limited number of switching cycles over the life of the fluorescent tube. With the LED, this number of switching cycles is incomparably higher. The LED is therefore more durable than the fluorescent tube, which also contributes to higher environmental compatibility and ultimately a cost saving. The difference becomes apparent as soon as the lamp is switched on for the first time: The LED does not flicker and provides full brightness in less than a second (less than a second). The noise level is also reduced, because the ballast does not hum as loudly as the fluorescent tube. 

However, there is one disadvantage if you want to convert from fluorescent to LED: the initial cost of the LED tube is higher than that of the fluorescent tube.

The most commonly used fluorescent tubes are of the T5 or T8 type. Smaller sizes can be found in mirror cabinets and in the form of under-cabinet lights, but they are rarer. The type is important for you to find the right LED tube. Today we associate fluorescent tubes with production facilities, industrial halls and workshops. However, we still often find fluorescent tubes in the home as well: They play an important role in garages and basements, hobby workshops and the like. Fluorescent tubes are used wherever large areas require uniform lighting. This is also the case in larger offices and commercial workshops. In general, you can replace fluorescent tubes with LEDs anywhere, as long as you pay attention to the right replacement. Because from the external appearance, the two light sources are very similar. You can find mechanically suitable LED tube for all types of fluorescent tubes. Pay attention to the base and the length: both must be identical!

If so much is the same and the two bulbs look the same - where are the differences (apart from the power consumption)?

Fluorescent tubes are filled with a noble gas called phosphor. When the light is switched on, the choke or the electronics in the ballast initiates an ignition voltage that ionizes the gas in the glass body. Therefore, the gas glows on the inner wall of the glass. LEDs are not filled with inert gas. INSIDE the tube there is a carrier board, which is equipped with LEDs in a row. These LEDs generate the light by emitting photons. This requires a low voltage, which is applied in the power supply and the LED driver.

There remains one difficulty: You have to find out which ballast is installed. The easiest way to do this is to look for the starter. The starter is a small, round part that can be seen from the outside. This is because the starter looks out of the housing. However, it is sometimes located under the fluorescent tube. In that case, you won't see it until you remove the tube. In some cases, the starter is located on the side of the housing. No matter where you find the starter in the housing: If a starter is installed, your fluorescent tube works with KVG or VVG. You can simply replace the starter with a dummy starter and install a normal LED tube. If you don't find a starter, you need an electronic ballast compatible LED tube.

There is a second option: You can hire an electrician and have your fluorescent tube converted to LED without having to deal with the details yourself. Then, if necessary, the ballast is simply removed, because you do not need it for the LED tubes. In this case, you also do not need any ECG-compatible LEDs with a previously installed ECG, but use normal LED tubes.

In ceiling louver luminaires, the fluorescent tubes are sometimes connected together in a tandem circuit. This means that one ballast operates two tubes. You can recognize this by the fact that two starters are installed on one ballast. Normal LEDs can not be used for such a tandem circuit, you should pay attention to compatibility! The manufacturers indicate if the LED tubes can tandem circuit.

Also pay attention to the amount of light. The lumen values are higher for fluorescent tubes than for LEDs. This is because fluorescent tubes emit light all around. LED tubes, on the other hand, emit light at an angle of 120 degrees. If you use a reflector, you can bring the light emission to the same values as with fluorescent tubes.

Another point concerns the light color, which is given in Kelvin. Early LEDs had the problem of emitting only cold light. This is no longer the case today, the light color can be influenced and can turn out quite warm. The higher the value in Kelvin, the cooler the light color. Fluorescent tubes usually have 840 or 965 Kelvin, which are actually always three-digit values. For LED tubes, the warm white light color for living rooms is equivalent to 3,000 Kelvin. Neutral white light of 4,000 Kelvin, on the other hand, is often suitable for offices and hallways. If you need daylight-like brightness in a workshop or garage, it should be 6,000 Kelvin.