Can I replace my fluorescent tubes with LED?

Can you get LED lights to replace fluorescent tubes? Yes, you can replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes or LED integrated fixtures. If you aren’t ready to replace the fluorescent fixture and just want to replace the bulbs, you can use plug-and-play, direct wire, or hybrid LED tubes.

How do I convert fluorescent bulbs to LED?

Three ways you can convert your existing fluorescent tubes to LED tubes

Retrofit the fluorescent tube. You can easily retrofit a fluorescent tube using plug and play or hybrid LED tubes.
Retrofit the tube and ballast. Direct-wire tubes can be used to retrofit the tube and bypass the ballast.
Replace the whole fixture.

Are LED lights cheaper to run than fluorescent?

Other Factors. Both types of lighting are energy-efficient when compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. LED technology costs more than CFL and fluorescent lighting, but the LED bulbs also last longer and use less energy than fluorescent bulbs.

Do I need to remove ballast for LED lights?

LED technology does not require a ballast to regulate the amount of energy flowing to the lights. LED’s require less energy and can be sensitive to excess energy. Additionally, removing the ballast will reduce energy usage and result in even great cost-savings as ballasts continue to draw more power than necessary.

Can you bypass ballast for LED lights?

Since LED lights work on low DC voltage, they need a driver. Most T8 LED tubes do not need a ballast. So, if you are going to install a T8 LED tube light, it will require a ballast bypass unless you choose a ballast compatible T8 LED tube.

Can I replace mercury vapor bulb with LED?

LED corn cob lights are one of the most efficient ways to replace metal halide, mercury vapor, and high-pressure sodium HID bulbs.

How do I wire a ballast free LED bulb?

How to Bypass a Ballast

Turn off the power. Flipping the light switch to the “off” position does not necessarily end the flow of electricity.
Locate your ballast.
Cut the hot and neutral wires.
Cut the socket lead wires.
Remove the ballast.
Connect the input wires to the output wires.

What are the yellow wires on a ballast?

The two yellow wires complete the circuit through the fluorescent tube back into the ballast. The red and blue wires energize the pins the fluorescent tube is attached to, the yellow wires connect to the pins on the opposite ends of the fluorescent light tubes completing the circuit.

Is it safe to bypass a ballast?

Enjoy Your New Lights and Your Savings Even though Parmida LED offers an easy-installation process of your lights, it’s important to leave it to the professionals to ensure safety. By bypassing the ballast on your T8 Tubes, you will reduce troubleshooting issues if your lights ever have an issue.

Can a fluorescent light work without a ballast?

Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw. Within a second the lamp would overheat and burn out.

How can you tell if the ballast is bad?

If your fluorescent lighting is displaying any of the signs below, it could be a symptom of a bad ballast:

Flickering.
Buzzing.
Delayed start.
Low output.
Inconsistent lighting levels.
Switch to an electronic ballast, keep lamp.
Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to a T8 fluorescent.

How much does it cost to replace a ballast?

A replacement ballast costs about $10-25 depending on capacity and brand. The bite is that an electrician trip charge (which includes 30 or 60 minutes work) is going to be $75-150 probably – for about 5 minutes work on each light fixture.

How do you know if it’s the bulb or ballast?

2. Look for warning signs that the ballast is failing.

Buzzing. If you hear a strange sound coming from your bulbs or light fixture, like a buzzing or humming noise, that’s often a sign your ballast is going.
Dimming or flickering.
No lights at all.
Changing colors.
Swollen casing.
Burn marks.
Water damage.
Leaking oil.

How long do ballasts last?

It is economical to turn off fluorescent lights if they are not being used. According to the Certified Ballast Manufacturers Association, the average magnetic ballast lasts about 75,000 hours, or 12 to 15 years with normal use.