The Top LED Fluorescent Light Distributor in China

The 40w LED tube which is usually 8ft in size can replace the T8 100w/110w fluorescent tube. The 22w LED tube light will replace the T8 54w/58w fluorescent tube. There are other wattages available as desired to replace existing old fluorescent lights in different settings.

Our LED fluorescent tube lights are long-lasting and turn on instantly and brightly. The lights do not flicker or fluctuate. To get the best LED fluorescent lights delivered accurately, promptly and without defect, our delivery system is available to meet your needs. We deliver to meet your project schedule.

You can also enjoy up to 3~5 years of warranty on all purchased LED fluorescent light tubes. VST offers all large-scale buyers good prices that are market-oriented. At VST, we go into constant research to improve the quality of the LED tube lights to ensure top quality always.

Reach out to us today to get the best LED fluorescent lights.

Some Custom Made LED Tube Lights

LED Fluorescent Lights – The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Replacing your fluorescent tube lights with LED tube lights is an excellent way to improve the quality of lighting in your space and cut down your utility bills at the same time.

The superior energy efficiency offered by fluorescent tubes over incandescent lights once made them so popular that tube lighting became synonymous with fluorescent lighting.

Today, however, LED is a game changing light technology that beats fluorescent lighting in every way.

LED fluorescent lights put out higher quality light while consuming a lot less electricity and last a whole lot longer.

It’s no surprise that most people and businesses are migrating to LED.

This definitive guide to LED fluorescent lights illuminates everything you need to know when converting fluorescent tube lighting to LED.

Table of Content

1. What are fluorescent LED tube lights?
2. What is the difference between fluorescent and LED tube lights?
3. What are the different types of LED fluorescent tube light?
4. What are Type A LED tube lights?
5. What are Type B LED tube lights?
6. What are Type C LED tube lights?
7. Should I choose Type A, Type B, or Type C LED fluorescent lights?
8. What are T8 LED tube lights?
9. What are T5 LED tube lights?
10. Which is better: T8 or T5 LED tube lights?
11. Can you Replace T5, T8, and T12 Fluorescent tubes with LED tube lights?
12. Can a T8 LED replace a T12 fluorescent light?
13. Can a T5 LED tube replace a T8 or T12 fluorescent tube?
14. Where are LED fluorescent tube lights used?
15. Should I replace Fluorescent tube lighting with LED?
16. Are LED fluorescent lights any good?
17. Are LED tubes brighter than fluorescent tubes?
18. Are LED Tube lights harmful?
19. Is LED tube light good for reading?
20. Do LED tubes flicker and buzz?
21. How long does a LED tube last?
22. Is LED tube lighting cheaper than fluorescent?
23. What are the costs to change fluorescent lights to LED?
24. How do I choose LED tube lights for my home?
25. What LED wattage rating do I need to achieve the same brightness?
26. What LED tube light color temperature to choose?
27. How do I convert a fluorescent tube light to LED?
28. How to replace a Fluorescent tube with a Type A LED light tube?
29. Do LED Fluorescent lights require a ballast or choke?
30. How do you bypass/remove the ballast for fluorescent LED tube lights?
31. Do I still need a starter with an LED tube?
32. How to import fluorescent LED lights from China?
33. How to find the best LED fluorescent light manufacturers in China?

1. What are fluorescent LED tube lights?

LED tube light is a type of LED lamp designed to replace fluorescent tube lights.

These types of lamps are compatible with existing fluorescent tube fixtures.

Because of this, they are also referred to as fluorescent LED tubes.

2. What is the difference between fluorescent and LED tube lights?

LED tube lamps may look similar to fluorescent tube lamps but that is as far as their similarities go.

These two tubular lamps are different in virtually all aspects, from the way they produce light to the effect they have on the utility bills.

Below is an overview of the differences:

• Lighting Technology: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) emit light when electrical current passes through the diodes. Fluorescent tubes emit light when an electric current excites the mixture of gas and mercury vapor in the tube.
• Ballast vs Driver: Fluorescent tubes require a ballast to deliver a high-voltage burst to kick start the light and then regulate the electric current flowing into the tube. LED tubes rely on drivers to regulate the power flowing to the tube and protect it from damage due to current fluctuations.
• Shatter Resistance: Drop a fluorescent tube and it will most likely break into pieces. This is not the case with LED tubes, which are solid state lighting constructed with shatter resistant metals and thermoplastics.
• Dimming Capability: Thanks to their instant on/off functionality and the fact that frequent on and offs don’t affect their service life, LED tubes work with motion detectors and lighting controls such as 0-10V. Fluorescent tubes provide poor quality light and burn out faster when used with dimming controls.
• Light Dispersion Pattern: Fluorescent tube lights emit light in a 360 degrees pattern while LED tube lights have a narrower beam angle and distribute light in a focused way.
• Environmental Friendliness: Fluorescent tubes contain mercury, which is hazardous to both human beings and the environment. The ballast also emits electromagnetic radiation, which is harmful and can interfere with your radio reception. LED fluorescent bulbs are free of these elements and don’t produce radiation.

3. What are the different types of LED fluorescent tube lights?

Based on ballast compatibility, there are:

• Ballast bypass tubes ( Type A or Plug and Play)
• Ballast compatible tubes (Type B)
• Externally driven tubes (LED Type C)

Based on the diameter of the tube, there are:

• T5 LED fluorescent light tubes
• T8 LED fluorescent light tubes

4. What are Type A LED tube lights?

Type A fluorescent LED tubes are the plug and play LED tubes you can slide into the existing Fluorescent fixture without any modification.

They are designed to work with fluorescent ballasts.

5. What are Type B LED tube lights?

Type B LED fluorescent tube lights are not compatible with ballasts.

The ballast has to be removed or bypassed before the tubes can be installed.

These types of lamps come equipped with an internal driver.

6. What are Type C LED tube lights?

Type C are hybrid fluorescent LED tubes that can work with or without the ballast.

This means that you can plug them right into the fluorescent fixture and later remove the ballast and direct wire them to the main voltage.

Type C LED tubes utilize a remote driver.

7. Should I choose Type A, Type B, or Type C LED fluorescent lights?

The choice comes down to how you would prefer to install the new LED fluorescent light tubes.

• If you prefer the easiest installation process, Type A tubes provide a plug and play installation. As long as the tube you choose is compatible with the ballast in your fixture, all you have to do is remove the old Fluorescent tube and slide in the new LED equivalent.
• If you’re looking to maximize savings with the most energy efficient, long lasting, and low maintenance option, Type B is the way to go.
• And if you’re not sure which type will work in your Fluorescent fixture, Type C is a hybrid of Type A and Type B. It’s the most versatile option as it can work in a wide range of Fluorescent fixtures.

As you make your choice, keep in mind the pros and cons of each type:

Advantages of Type A

• Ease of installation is the best thing about Type A fluorescent LED tubes. All you have to do is install them in the fixture. No need to hire an electrician.

Disadvantages of Type A

• Ballast compatible fluorescent LED tubes are not compatible with just any ballast. You have to check the ballast compatibility spec sheet to make sure the replacement tube you buy will be compatible with the ballast in your existing fixture.
• The ballast will expire before the LED tube, which means an extra maintenance step will be required in the future.
• The ballast will also be drawing power, reducing the energy savings you will realize after switching to LED.

Advantages of Type B

• Because the ballast is removed, you will reap more energy savings from Type B tubes than you will with a Type A LED fluorescent bulb.
• Has the widest assortment of sizes and wattage ratings to choose from.
• Low maintenance because you won’t have to deal with a damaged ballast in the future.

Disadvantages of Type B

• The installation is more complicated because the ballast has to be bypassed and the new tube directly wired to the mains electricity. This requires hiring a licensed electrician.
• Usually requires non-shunted sockets, so you might have to incur an extra cost to purchase new sockets.

Advantages of Type C or A/B

• The hybrid nature enables it to work with virtually all fluorescent fixtures.
• The remote driver can power multiple fluorescent LED tubes.
• Type C has the best luminous efficacy and it works with dimming and lighting control systems.
• Easy maintenance as you can replace the external driver without having to change the tube as well.

Disadvantages of Type C

• This is the most expensive LED fluorescent replacement tube you can purchase.
• Bypassing the ballast and direct wiring will still require hiring an electrician.

8. What are T8 LED tube lights?

The T refers to the tubular shape of the lamp, while the number stands for the diameter of the tube in eighths of an inch.

T8 LED fluorescent light tubes have a diameter of 8/8 or one inch.

9. What are T5 LED tube lights?

T5 fluorescent LED lights are the most compact tubular lamps. They measure 5/8 of an inch in diameter.

10. Which is better: T8 or T5 LED tube lights?

If you’re replacing T12 or T8 fluorescent tube lights, T8 LEDs are the ideal replacements as they are compatible with the existing fixtures.

T5 tubes are high output lights and even more energy efficient than T8 LEDs. This makes them great for high performance applications or applications that require compact lamps, e.g., under cabinet lights.

The only downside is that T5 tubes can’t fit in existing T8 or T12 fluorescent fittings.

They come integrated into their own fixtures so you will have to remove the old fixture and install the new one.

11. Can you Replace T5, T8, and T12 Fluorescent tubes with LED tube lights?

Thanks to the EN2776 standard, LED light tubes will work in fluorescent fixtures without issue.

You can replace old fluorescent tubes with LED tubes regardless of the brand.

You can also opt to swap the entire fluorescent fixture for a sleeker and more energy efficient linear LED fixture.

12. Can a T8 LED replace a T12 fluorescent light?

As long as the T8 and T12 tubes share the same bi-pin base, you can replace the outdated T12 fluorescent with a T8 LED fluorescent tube without having to upgrade the fixture.

13. Can a T5 LED tube replace a T8 or T12 fluorescent tube?

T5 LED tubes are not compatible with T12 and T8 fixtures.

This is because T12 and T8 tubes utilize a G13 base while T5 tubes use a G5 base.

If you’re upgrading to T5 lamps, you will need to change the fixture as well.

14. Where are LED fluorescent tube lights used?

LED tube lights are fantastic for all kinds of indoor lighting applications from residential homes to commercial and industrial facilities.

• They are used in living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, washrooms, garages, workshops, and barns.
• They are used in offices and schools, hospitals, gyms, and car parks.
• High output T8 and T5 high bay lights are used for high performance applications such as warehouses, showrooms, and manufacturing facilities.
• They are also used as grow lights in indoor gardens and greenhouses.

15. Should I replace Fluorescent tube lighting with LED?

If you’re looking for a more energy efficient light source that also emits high quality light, you can’t go wrong with LED tube lights.

Thanks to a high degree of efficiency and an incredibly long life span, they are the ideal replacements for fluorescent tube lights.

16. Are LED fluorescent lights any good?

LED fluorescent lights have a host of benefits.

By replacing your Fluorescent tubes with LED ones, you stand to reap the following benefits:

• Reduced Electricity Costs: Switching from Fluorescent to LED results in at least a 30% reduction in power consumption. LEDs have the highest lumen output to wattage consumed of any lighting technology on the market today. The biggest energy savings are realized when you do away with the ballast altogether.
• Reduced Maintenance Costs: LED fluorescent light tubes last upwards of 30,000 hours, without requiring maintenance. This means that you won’t spend much on replacement and maintenance. Your air conditioning bill may go down as well, as LEDs emit very little heat.
• High Quality Lighting: LED lighting has a color rendering index (CRI) of more than 80, which results in optimal visibility. Furthermore, they reach full brightness instantly and are not prone to flickering and buzzing.

17.  Are LED tubes brighter than fluorescent tubes?

LED tubes are brighter than fluorescent tubes of the same wattage ratings.

Similarly, an LED tube with a lower lumens output will be as bright or even brighter than a fluorescent tube with a higher lumens output.

So why is this the case?

• Since fluorescent tubes emit light at a 360 degrees angle, some of the light is lost in the fixture thus reducing the luminous flux. LED fluorescent lights, on the other hand, emit light in a directional pattern that focuses virtually all the light where it’s needed.
• Fluorescent lights use almost half of the wattage consumed to produce heat while LEDs produce very little heat and use almost all the energy to produce light.

18. Are LED Tube lights harmful?

LED tube lighting is safe for both human beings and the environment.

Unlike fluorescent tubes, LED tubes do not contain harmful chemicals such as mercury and do not emit harmful radiation that can cause eye strain.

19. Is LED tube light good for reading?

LED tubes make good lights for studying.

They disperse light at a directional angle and the light has a high CRI that creates high contrast and illuminates pages effectively.

A 4,000 to 6,500 K color temperature is ideal for working and studying as it promotes alertness without interfering with your sleep cycle.

20. Do LED tubes flicker and buzz?

Because LED tubes do not rely on ballasts, they are not prone to flickering or buzzing.

If you experience flickering or buzzing with LED tubes, it’s most likely due to faulty wiring.

21. How long does an LED tube last?

Fluorescent LED tubes have a superior lifespan of between 30,000 and 50,000 hours.

Some top-tier tubes can last 70,000 to 100,000 hours.

Compared to fluorescent tubes, LED tubes last 3 to 5 times longer.

22. Is LED tube lighting cheaper than fluorescent?

When it comes to upfront costs, LED tubes cost more than their fluorescent counterparts.

As for running costs, LEDs are cheaper than Fluorescent lights and the more cost effective option in the long run.

23. What are the costs to change fluorescent lights to LED?

Besides the cost of purchasing the LED tube light, you might also incur the following expenses:

• Cost of replacing sockets if you’re using a single-end powered Type B fluorescent LED bulb and the existing tombstones are shunted.
• If you opt to bypass/remove the ballast and wire the tubes to the main supply, you will incur the cost of hiring a qualified electrician to complete the conversion in a safe way.

24. How do I choose LED tube lights for my home?

LED tube lights for fluorescent replacement come in a wide range of specs from lengths to color temperatures.

Due to this, choosing the right tube can seem such a daunting task.

To simplify the task, here are the steps to follow in order to determine what LED tube light is best for your needs:

Step 1: Find Out Whether You Have a T12, T8 or T5 Fluorescent Tube

Whether to buy a T8 or T5 LED fluorescent replacement tube will depend on the kind of Fluorescent tube you have.

You can find this out by reading the markings on the end of the tube or measuring the diameter of the tube.

T8 is one inch in diameter, T5 has a 5/8 inch diameter, while T12 is 1.5 inch diameter.

You can replace a T12 or T8 fluorescent with a T8 LED or a T5 integrated fixture.

Step 2: Decide Whether To Get a Plug and Play, a Ballast Bypass, or Hybrid LED Tube

A plug and play Type A LED tube is the most affordable to buy and also the easiest to install.

A ballast bypass Type B LED tube is more efficient in terms of power consumption, longevity, and maintenance demands.

If you prefer not to worry about ballast compatibility issues and also intend to use dimming controls and motion sensors, opt for a hybrid Type C tube.

Step 3: Find Out The Type of Ballast You Have

 

If you prefer plug and play LED fluorescent tube lights that will work with the ballast in your fixture, you will need to make sure the tube you buy is compatible with the ballast.

In general, T8 fixtures use an electronic ballast while older T12 tubes use magnetic ballasts.

You can open up the fixture (with the power off, of course) and look at the label on the ballast.

As you buy the tube, look at the ballast compatibility specs sheet to ensure the tube you get will work with your ballast.

Step 4: Find out Whether You Have Shunted vs Non-shunted Sockets

Installing Type B or ballast bypass LED fluorescent lights might also require you to change the tombstones.

Tombstones are the sockets or lamp holders the tubes are installed into.

Most LED tube lights on the market are single-ended, where one end is live and the other one neutral and only a tube holder. These tubes require non-shunted sockets.

If you have a shunted tombstone configuration, you can purchase new sockets or look for double-end powered tubes that are compatible with both shunted and non-shunted tombstones.

Step 5: Determine the Base Type/Pin Size

The base configuration or pin size determines what fluorescent LED tubes you can replace the current fluorescent tube with.

T8 tubes feature a G13 base and so do the older T12 and T10 tubes. This means that the connector pins on the ends are positioned 13mm apart.

T5 tubes have a G5 base, as the distance between connector pins is 5mm.

Some LED tube lights have a single pin base.

Step 6: Measure The Length of the Current Tube 

Fluorescent tubes typically come in 2ft, 4ft, and 8ft lengths and so do LED fluorescent bulbs. Of course, the replacement tube should be the same length as the old tube.

T5 tubes also come in compact sizes such as 1ft, 2ft, and 3ft, making them suitable for specialty applications such as under cabinet lights and table lamps.

Other Factors To consider

Besides the types and sizes of tubes, there are some other factors to consider in order to choose high quality fluorescent LED lamps.

Pay attention to the following factors when evaluating different LED fluorescent light tubes:

Voltage Rating

It’s always a good idea to go for a tube light that can handle a wide range of voltage.

For example, tubes rated to handle 120-277 volts are superior to those rated to handle up to 240 volts.

Construction Quality

Long lasting LED fluorescent light tubes should be constructed with high-quality materials.

The internal components: the LEDs, driver, and heat sink for effective heat dissipation, should also be of high quality.

Choose fluorescent LED tubes with a minimum warranty of three years.

Certifications

Certifications by third party organizations provide assurance that the light tubes meet quality and safety standards.

Look for UL and RoHS approved lights. DLC qualified lights are eligible for rebate programs.

25. What LED wattage rating do I need to achieve the same brightness?

To achieve the same level of brightness, you will need an LED Fluorescent light tube with a lower wattage and lumens rating that’s almost half the wattage rating of the fluorescent tube you’re replacing.

For example, a 36 watt fluorescent can be replaced by an 18 watt LED, while a 9 watt LED is the equivalent of a 20 watt fluorescent tube.

This is because LED tubes have an extremely high luminous efficacy. They produce very high lumen output with minimal power consumption.

Luckily, most LED fluorescent lights manufacturers provide the equivalent wattage ratings their fluorescent LED tube lights are designed to replace.

26. What LED tube light color temperature to choose?

Color temperature refers to the appearance of light a tube lamp emits. It’s indicated in Kelvin.

The lower the Kelvin values, the warmer and more yellow the light is.

The higher the Kelvin values, the cooler and bluer the light.

An LED tube light and fluorescent tube light with the same color temperature rating will have a similar appearance.

Fluorescent LED tubes come in a broad range of color temperatures, from soft and warm to cool white.

You can choose just the right color temperature to create the desired ambiance.

Here are the different Kelvin ratings you will come across and what they suit best:

• 2700k – 3500K Warm White – great in living spaces and reception areas.
• 4000 to 6500K: Cool White to Daylight – works best for offices, factories, display, garages, and security.

27. How do I convert a fluorescent tube light to LED?

 

How to go about converting your fluorescent tube lighting into LED depends on the type of LED Fluorescent replacement tube you’ve bought.

There are three ways to do it:

• Simply replace the light tube
• Remove the ballast and connect the new LED tube to the line voltage
• Replace the entire fluorescent fixture with a linear LED fixture

28. How to replace a Fluorescent tube with a Type A LED light tube?

• Turn off the light at the switch
• Twist and pop out the old fluorescent tube
• Insert the new LED replacement tube light and pop it in place
• Switch on the light

29. Do LED Fluorescent lights require a ballast or choke?

LED fluorescent tube lights do not need a ballast or choke, as they come equipped with an LED driver or rely on a remote driver.

However, LED Fluorescent light tubes designed for plug and play replacement in existing fluorescent luminaires are designed to work with ballasts.

Type C fluorescent LED tubes can work with and without a ballast.

30. How do you bypass/remove the ballast for fluorescent LED tube lights?

Bypassing the ballast isn’t as hard as it sounds. All it takes is simple rewiring as follows:

• Switch off the current from the mains supply
• Remove the old tube and open the fixture
• Remove the cover from the ballast
• Disconnect the wires going in and out of the ballast
• Connect the wires together, matching the hot and neutral wires
• Secure the connections with electrical tape and nuts.
• Cap unused wires and tuck them out of the way
• Close the fixture
• Pop in your new LED tube

Still, it’s recommended to have an electrician do it.

If you’re doing the installation yourself, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and wiring diagram.

31. Do I still need a starter with an LED tube?

Unlike fluorescent tubes, LED tubes do not rely on a starter.

However, the starter is still needed to complete the electrical circuit in the fluorescent fitting.

32. How to import fluorescent LED lights from China?

Importing LED fluorescent tube lights from China is a multiple step process that starts with picking the right supplier and ends with the shipping of your order.

• Research and decide on the LED fluorescent light supplier to work with.
• Verify that the manufacturer has the LED fluorescent light factory capacity to meet your order.
• Order and inspect samples
• Negotiate terms for your order
• Pay a 30% deposit for your order
• Inspect the finished good virtually via video or have a sourcing agent do it for you
• Make arrangements for shipping. You can have an experienced shipping and customs clearance agent handle the shipping.

33. How to find the best LED fluorescent light manufacturers in China?

The best thing about importing LED fluorescent lights from China is that you can get high quality lights at good prices.

However, this requires that you conduct research to find the best LED fluorescent light supplier to work with.

There are three ways to find potential LED fluorescent light manufacturers:

Research on the Internet

A Google search for the best LED fluorescent light manufacturers will return tens of viable options. You can then visit the manufacturers’ websites to learn more.

For a more targeted search, be sure to check the listings on the top B2B portals in China such as Made in China and Global Sources.

Attending lighting fairs

Lighting fairs are also excellent places to find the best LED fluorescent light manufacturers.

The advantages here include face to face negotiations, the opportunity to inspect various products, and the chance to purchase samples at discounted prices.

These events happen every year or season so you can always find a local or international fair to attend.

Here a list of lighting fairs and their scheduled dates.

Using a Sourcing Agent 

Another way to find an LED fluorescent light supplier that will meet your standards is to enlist the services of a lighting sourcing agent.

Acting with your best interests at heart, the sourcing agent will vet different LED Fluorescent tube light manufacturers, inspect factories, and recommend the best LED fluorescent light supplier to source from.

Always exercise due diligence before deciding on the ultimate LED fluorescent light factory or supplier to order from.

Conclusion

 

While fluorescent tube lighting was a huge step up over incandescent lights in terms of light quality, energy efficiency, and durability, LED tube lighting is even better.

Replacing old fluorescent tubes with LED tubes is a smart move. You will enjoy high quality lighting and still count your savings on both utility and maintenance costs.

However, replacing fluorescent tubes with LED means swapping one light technology for another.

There are plenty of considerations to make so you can choose the best LED fluorescent tube lights for your needs.

Hopefully, this guide has demystified LED fluorescent lights and illuminated exactly what fluorescent to LED tube lighting conversion entails.

With more than a decade of experience in the lighting industry, you can count on VST Lighting to provide you with high quality and energy efficient LED fluorescent lights at competitive prices.

Please feel free to get in touch with us for any questions you might have about fluorescent tube replacement with LED.