LED lamps compared to T8 fluorescent

If fluorescent tubes in the ceiling lamp burned out and want to save money by installing LED, then change the lighting device is optional. Enough to put him in the LED T8 tubes, which are specially designed for the cap-holder type G13.

We'll show you how to find the best linear diode bulbs. Prompt how to install it slightly modified power supply circuit, by removing therefrom unnecessary elements. Given our tips, you easily will improve the lighting device without the cost and effort.

The device and the types of T8 LED tubes

Lighting in offices and indoor public buildings today often made of light fixtures with fluorescent lamps daylight. And most of them are compact "squares" on the ceiling with mercury tubes under the cap G13.

These lighting fixtures are standardized to the size of 600x600 mm ceilings type "Armstrong" systems and can be easily integrated into them. Fluorescent tubes at one time widely implemented in the framework of energy saving. In public buildings and buildings of light is often turned on around the clock.

Conventional light bulbs in such a rapidly burn and consume too much electricity. Fluorescent analogs surpass them in 7-10 times the durability and efficiency of 3-4 times.

However, the technology continues to develop, gradually replacing tubes with harmful mercury come LEDs. This new more durable and consumes already an order of magnitude less power than the old light bulb with a tungsten filament.

«LED» (Light-Emitting Diode) all the characteristics of winning the competition. The only drawback of LEDs - this is quite a high price. But it is gradually reduced as the market development of LED lamps.

Appearance and size of LED-tube T8 repeats electroluminescent analog. However, it is fundamentally different internal arrangement and another power supply principle.

Considered a member of the LED lamp:

• two rotary caps G13;
• -Diffuser tube of the flask into a 26 mm diameter;
• a driver (power supply unit with overvoltage protection);
• board with LEDs.

The bulb is made of two halves. One of these is an aluminum substrate body, and the second light diffusing rear canopy made of transparent plastic. By such a design strength greatly exceeds the conventional glass tube with mercury. Plus aluminum excellently removes the small heat that is formed during the LED-elements.

DC voltage at 12-24 need for power LED B. For the transformation of alternating electric current, which are powered lamps, the lamp provides the power supply (driver). He can be integrated or external.

The first option is preferable, because it simplifies the installation. If the handset has a built-in driver, it just need to insert in place of the old. And in the case with an external power supply it will still need somewhere to place and secure.

External version is recommended to choose only if the complete replacement of all lighting. Then, similar to PSU allows many to save, to him alone, you can connect several lamps, tubes.

The number of LEDs on the PCB can be up to several hundred. The more elements, the higher luminous efficiency lamps and more powerful than herself. But much depends on the size of the tube.

LED T8 tubes in length come in:

1. 300 mm.
2. 600 mm.
3. 1200 mm.
4. 1500 mm.

Each option is designed for your type of fixtures. The tube is there for any size of the fixture and the ceiling, and desktop models.

Which is better: LED vs fluorescent

When compared to other LED lamps greatly benefit in terms of efficiency. However replacement of fluorescent tubes in the diodki It presents a number of problems. Just so insert LED into the lamp in place of gas discharge lamps can not.

Before installing the LED T8 tubes in the luminaire, designed initially to connect lyuminestsenok, you must remove the starter (starter). If the LED lamp has a built-in driver, then it needs a direct mains of 220 V.

But the scheme is still present and ballast (choke). Part of tubes with LEDs is compatible with it. They may well work without removing the item. In this case, you only need to unscrew the starter.

However, there are modifications linear LED-lampsWhich ballast load is completely unnecessary, and even contraindicated. It is also necessary to remove the connecting wires in place the resulting gap. These alterations lead to the fact that after the tube put back-luminescent already becoming impossible.

On the lamp housing should normally no notes about these modifications the power circuit is not done. In the end, comes a new electrician, for whatever reason, inserts lyuminestsenku. And this is a direct path to the power supply to the problems.

Plus, measurements show that connected through drosel T8 LED lamp can save up to 20% in energy efficiency. This additional consumption of electricity wasted. And much depends on the manufacturer. Some reduce these losses to almost zero, increasing the cost of the product, while others simply do not mention them in the package.

It is best to choose initially designed for direct connection of the phone. Then only need to remove all the unnecessary of the luminaire and make notes on the lighting fixtures of the changes. It is more difficult to install the solution, but is not as problematic in the future.

In general, the replacement of T8 lyuminestsenok of similar size LED lamp has a number of advantages:

1. Conserving power consumption is reduced by 50-80%.
2. Longer service life (manufacturer claims 5-6 years of continuous operation, but the practice suggests 3-4).
3. No flicker effect.
4. No hazardous mercury vapors.
5. Higher luminous efficiency.

Virtually all models of LED T8 tubes have a narrow luminous flux of 180 degrees. Luminescent opponent, on the contrary, is shining in all directions, losing most of the light that is directed upwardly directly into the housing ceiling luminaire.

Wiring diagrams G13 bulbs with LEDs

fluorescent tube starting system is built on the basis of electromagnetic induction (MAPA) or electronic ballast (ECG). If the LED lamp T8 is connected through them, it must be designed to work with these circuit elements.

Basic circuits connecting the new LED-lamps instead lyuminestsenok two:

1. Directly to the network 220 with a full retracting starter and ballast.
2. After available in the lamp ballast.

The first embodiment further subdivided into a pair subtypes depending on the presence of internal or external power supply. If PD is integrated into the LED-tube, then it should be easy to insert into the slots. And if the lamp is designed to operate at 12 V, a separate power supply will have to be mounted somewhere nearby, and then connect the wiring within him.

Installation is simple. In most cases, simply insert a new pipe in place of the old. The main thing to choose correctly.

If you bought a simple linear model without connectivity through a starter, you have to tinker with the wires. Not only remove the ballast and starter, it is necessary to short-circuit these places still gaps. A short wire in such lamps are often not designed for the contraction, we have to do an insert.

General criteria for the selection of LED lamps

In order to properly select the LED-T8 tube, and then do not regret all the inscriptions on the product label need to be carefully examined. There, all painted in detail, it is only necessary to understand all these figures and features.

According to the color of light (color temperature) LED lamps are divided into three groups:

1. "Warm white» Warm White (2700-3300 K).
2. "Natural white» Neutral White (3300-5000 K).
3. "Cool White» Cool White (> 5000 K).

For offices recommended to choose the third embodiment with invigorating light. A home is more appropriate first to "warm" yellowish tinge. These bulbs will not "load" vision overly bright light.

The second important parameter - the light output (luminous intensity). The more lumens in your passport LED T8 tubes, the more it costs to LED chips. But the brighter it will shine, which is not always helpful.

When you select this indicator it is necessary to focus on the old fluorescent light bulbs. Too superior to their new should not be on the light intensity.

Third no small number - the degree of color rendering (Ra or CRI). The maximum it can be equal to 100. This reference natural light from the sun. But these lamps are designed for greater spotlight desktops, where color distortion of objects is not allowed. For conventional lamps sufficiently Ra in the range of 80 to 90.

Power on LED lamps can be designed for either 220V 12-24 For the former requires additional power supply, and in the latter it is already integrated into the housing tube.

By degree of protection housing for installation in the office enough IP20 or IP21. A special dust and moisture in these areas do not. If you want to take with a reserve, then fit IP40. Other models with more IP will cost too much, and the demand for increased protection for domestic zero conditions.

Overview manufacturers LED-tubes

In recent years the market for LED technology is booming. Number of brands and manufacturers is growing exponentially.

This leads to a gradual decline in prices for LED in stores. However, the ordinary buyer, these processes are not always going to benefit, as there is a high risk of running into a frankly poor quality product.

Among the many manufacturers of LED lamps T8 deserved trust are:

1. From the Euro-world - «Gauss», «Osram» and «Philips».
2. From Russian - "OptoGaN», «Navigator» and «SVeto-Led» ( «Newera»).
3. Of proven Chinese - «Selecta» and «Camelion».

The price of LED tubes for ceiling lights in many respects depends on the region and the particular seller. Plus, play a significant role and characteristics of the model.

Before you buy one or the other option, it is necessary to carefully examine the labels on the packaging.

What to do with the old fluorescent instrument once replaced, you learn from next articleDedicated to the issues of recycling mercury-containing devices.

Conclusions and useful videos on the topic

Nuances in the choice of LED-tube under the G13 socket lot. To you it was easier to understand their range, we've pulled together with reviews of individual models and the analysis of the connection schemes.

Video # 1. Remaking fluorescent lamp under the LED:

Video # 2. Overview of linear lamps with LED device description and connection principles:

Video # 3. All features of the installation LED fluorescent tubes instead:

The popularity of LED lamps is growing, they benefit from all angles. To replace their standard tubes "daylight", it is only necessary to remove from the food chain a number of unnecessary elements. LED-lamp T8 originally designed for socket connectors G13. Any difficulties with its installation should arise.

Please write comments in the box located below. Talk about how to choose the linear diode lamps for illumination devices or ceiling decoration. Ask questions, post pictures of the article.