5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs corepro ledtube?
Jun. 30, 2025
A Buyer's Guide to LED Tube Lights - RS
LED tube lights are among the most popular and versatile lighting solutions available today. They’re particularly well suited to applications and install environments where the goal is to achieve a flexible variety of modern, clean-looking indoor lighting in rooms and displays of all sizes.
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You’ll often find assemblies of larger LED tube lights being used to provide bright, even lighting across many types of wider or more open spaces. Common examples might include commercial displays, workshops and laboratories, kitchens, hallways, foyers, factory floors, gymnasiums, car parks, and any other communal, multipurpose or high traffic areas.
Smaller LED tubes are also highly popular options for accent lighting in and under cabinets, worktops and other items of built-in or freestanding furniture, as well as in many different types of signage assemblies and other important display areas.
Today, a huge number of homes, business premises and civic facilities are transitioning away from the traditional, older style fluorescent/CFL tube lighting and installing LED alternatives in their place. There are several great reasons to do this, with the most compelling being the lower running costs and far longer lifespans of LED lamps vs fluorescent equivalents. This generally results in vastly improved efficiency throughout the working life of the light. In turn, this ultimately means that you can expect far better value over time, as well as considerably reduced environmental impact, by switching to LEDs.
In this introductory guide, we’ll find out a little more about the different types of LED tube lights you can buy online, as well as briefly looking at how to fit them. We’ll also compare LED tubes to other common types of tube and strip lights, and contrast the relative strengths and weaknesses of each kind.
LED tube lights are usually categorised by various key designations. The most common of these are tube length (this can be stated in either imperial or metric measurements) and bulb or lamp size. Lamp size is typically given as a ‘T’ measurement, with widespread standard sizes including T5, T8 and T12.
If you’re wondering exactly what is the difference between T5, T8 and T12 lights, the main point to remember is that the higher the T rating, the thicker a lamp will be in diameter. T equals 1/8 of an inch and the number after the T denotes how many eighths of an inch wide the bulb is - hence T8 is exactly one inch or 8/8ths. You can use this to calculate the diameter of different sized LED tube lights. Therefore, T8 tubes at 1-inch (25.4mm) have a larger diameter than T5 tubes (5/8-inch or 15.9mm), but they are not as wide as T12 (1.5-inches or 38.1mm) lamps.
In standard fluorescent tubes, smaller diameters almost always mean better efficiency. A T5 bulb will use less energy to produce the same amount of light as a T8, while a T12 will run at about 45% higher electricity consumption to output the same amount of light as a T5. Being vastly more power-efficient across the board, newer LED equivalents don’t follow quite the same pattern in terms of percentages. However, the basic principle remains similar, even if the ratios between bulb diameter and energy usage stay far closer together as you move up the lamp sizing scale.
It's also worth noting that different tube sizes will tend to be associated with different lamp bases or sockets. T8 and T12 tubes are mounted to bi-pin G13 bases as standard, while T5 tubes are normally attached to a bi-pin G5 socket fitting. In simple terms, this is essentially the tube light equivalent of standard bulb cap styles and sizes.
Fitting an LED tube light is fairly straightforward, regardless of whether it’s a brand-new fixture or a retrofit for an older fluorescent lamp set up using the existing lighting fixture.
Many people are still in the process of transitioning to this more modern, efficient technology. As a result, it’s quite common to see existing fluorescent tube fixtures housing new LED bulbs. For that reason - and because installing LED tube lights in brand new, purpose-built LED housing fixtures is a fairly self-explanatory, plug-and-play sort of job - we’ll concentrate on the retrofitting process in this section of the guide.
The exact process for retrofitting an LED tube light into an existing fluorescent strip lighting fixture will differ slightly depending on what type of fixture setup is in place. The main deciding factor here will likely be the age of the pre-existing fixture. Older versions are often still equipped with both a conventional magnetic ballast and a starter, whereas slightly newer fluorescent lighting arrays might only include an electrical ballast.
Either way, newer LED lamps don’t require a ballast. In older arrays, the job of the ballast was to regulate the current flowing to a fluorescent lamp for as long as it remained lit after the starter had initially caused the inert gases inside the tube to arc and illuminate. LED tubes don’t need any sort of continuous active power regulation and can, therefore, bypass the starter component altogether.
Most retrofit LED tube installations will require the user to perform this ballast bypass procedure themselves. It’s not complicated to do, and it’s generally a recommended step during a retrofit, as leaving ballasts in place can sometimes result in adverse performance effects such as buzzing or flickering of LEDs. Furthermore, bypassing the ballast completely will also ensure that your LED lights are running at optimal efficiency, by eliminating a potential source of wasted power draw from the circuit.
One of the first things that most people want to know about LED tube lights is how they compare to the older-style traditional fluorescent tubes in terms of performance and money-saving.
The simple answer is that LEDs effortlessly outperform fluorescent lamps for all-round efficiency over the course of their working life. In any direct LED vs fluorescent tube comparison test, the newer LED standard will last far longer and can produce a much brighter light at vastly lower levels of energy consumption than their older fluorescent counterparts.
However, it’s also worth taking a slightly closer look at some of the more specific questions that are often asked about the performance and variations between the two bulb types. We’ll also provide a chart for easy comparison between the two in the next section of this guide.
LED vs Fluorescent Lumens - Which is Brighter?
In terms of LED vs fluorescent brightness, both lamp types are capable of outputting extremely bright and clean light over a reasonably wide area, depending on the exact specifications of the tubes and fittings being used. However, the key difference is that LED varieties can generate the same level of brightness at far lower wattages than their fluorescent equivalents.
While overall brightness - measured in lumens - may be the same when taken as a single standalone measurement between equivalent LED or CFL lamps, this means that the LED version is achieving this brightness at a far lower rate of energy consumption, heat generation, and day-to-day running costs. You can see in the comparison chart below some rough equivalents for lumens/wattage between fluorescent and LED lamps designed to light the same area to the same degree of brightness.
The Cost of LED vs Fluorescent Lighting
Speaking of relative costs, when it comes to LED vs fluorescent lighting, there are two important factors to consider. Firstly, the initial price of LEDs is generally slightly higher, to begin with. However, as this newer technology becomes more commonplace, the initial cost difference is actually starting to reduce fairly quickly.
Perhaps more importantly when considering overall expense and budgeting, though, is the fact that LED tubes are so much more efficient and cost-effective over the working life of the lamp itself. Because they run at much lower wattages to produce the same lumen output as their fluorescent equivalents, LEDs are far cheaper in terms of energy bills. Additionally, this lower power consumption means less heat and far slower rates of degeneration, meaning that a single LED tube light is typically expected to last anywhere from 3-5 times as long as an equivalently rated CFL version.
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Since the cost of an LED lamp is unlikely to be anything like five times that of a fluorescent tube, the LED version very quickly becomes a more cost-effective option despite being slightly more expensive on day one. Average estimates suggest that real-time savings are typically achieved in less than two years of standard use.
Other Advantages of LEDs Over Fluorescent Tube Lamps
- LED bulbs are more environmentally friendly, both in terms of energy use and manufacturing materials/processes - and this also applies to disposal (LED lamps contain no mercury)
- LED tubes are more directional - one of several reasons why they’re more efficient is that they don’t bounce light in a 360-degree radius, half of which is ‘wasted’ if they’re installed on a ceiling or wall
- LED versions are easily dimmable with the correct setup, whereas fluorescent lamps are typically either on or off
- LED tubes are sold in numerous different colour temperatures, ranging from cool or ‘daylight’ models to warm white
- LED tubes are far less fragile than fluorescent equivalents, being made of rugged plastics rather than thin glass
LED vs Fluorescent Tube Comparison Chart
The following LED vs fluorescent tube comparison chart should help you to quickly identify some of the equivalent values and strengths of LED tube lights when compared to the older CFL standards:
Wattage Equivalency Chart
LED Tube Advice - Any-lamp
The Benefits of LED Tubes
More and more industries and commercial businesses are turning to LED as the lighting source for their work places and warehouses over traditional linear fluorescent lights. Offering double the lifetime of a traditional tube, and potential energy savings of up to 80%, LED lighting has the potential to minimise your maintenance and replacement costs while ensuring your business is perfectly illuminated with crisp, high quality lighting.
Benefits of switching to LED:
- LED tubes are up to 80% more efficient than a standard T8 or TL-D fluorescent tube
Switching to LED can potentially slash your energy bills in half, leaving you with more profit to reinvest back into your business.
- As bright or brighter than a fluorescent tube, without the additional cost
LED tubes are available in a range of light outputs, and because LED tubes direct the light downwards, unlike fluorescent tubes with a 360°d beam angle, additional energy is not consumed lighting the ceiling or the back of the fixture where it is not needed.
- No compromise on light quality
LED lighting produces quality light with a high colour rendering of 80-89 or 90-99Ra, so colours are represented accurately, and are available in a choice of colour temperatures to suit the needs of your business. For example, products in the Philips MASTER LEDtube Food range are designed to bring out the deep red hues of meat products, to make your meat counter more attractive to browsing customers.
- No flicker, glare or warm-up time
Unlike traditional fluorescent tubes, LED lighting emits no irritating background hum, does not flicker and reaches full brightness instantly
- Environmentally friendly
By switching to LED you are also helping to ensure a greener environment, as they are a mercury-free alternative to traditional tubes.
- Durable, robust and adaptable to extreme conditions
LED tubes are significantly more durable than fluorescent tubes and can operate in extreme temperature conditions from -20°C to 40°C.
- Hassle free replacement
The majority of the LED tubes in our range can be installed instantly into your old open or closed fixture, with no need for complicated rewiring.
Applications:
- General lighting: cellars, stairways, garages, corridors, offices, health/residential care, etc.
- Retail: car parks, shops, etc.
- Industry: warehouses, garages, cold storage, supply rooms, etc.
Choosing the correct LED tube:
Wattage:
The most important aspect to bare in mind when choosing your replacement LED is the wattage of your current tube, and the length of the tube directly corresponds to the wattage. We make it easy for you to find the equivalent replacement for existing tubes by including the old wattage in the product title. For example: Philips CorePro LEDtube Glass 16W 840 120cm - Replaces 36W T8
Colour temperature:
When choosing your replacement LED tube, you may want to consider the colour temperature that best suits your lighting purposes. LED tubes are available in the following colour temperatures:
- k (extra warm white):
Similar to the orange glow produced by an incandescent or halogen light bulb, this colour temperature is often recommended for meat and bakery products to highlight the natural red and orange tones to make the produce look more fresh and attractive to potential customers.
- k (warm white):
Slightly whiter than k, this colour temperature is ideal for use in hospitality and residential settings as it creates a natural, ambient light.
- k (neutral white):
A crisp white light with no blue or yellow tones, this temperature is preferable for use in retail, supermarkets and showroom lighting as colours are presented accurately. This is also the preferred temperature for office spaces, hospitals and manufacturing warehouses as it promotes alertness, increases wakefulness and enhances visibility.
- k (cool daylight):
This very cool colour temperature strongly favours blue colours and flattens red tones, and can be applied to specialist environments such as graphic arts studios, winter goods suppliers, bathrooms and cold storage.
Light Output:
Many people still mistakenly assume that wattage and light output directly correspond. This is, in fact, not true, as LED lighting operates on a reduced wattage while emitting the same or better light output as a traditional fluorescent. LED tubes are available in the following light outputs, with higher outputs recommended for high ceilings and increased visibility:
- Basic Output: 800- lumens, e.g., Philips CorePro LEDtube Budget range, Osram SubstiTUBE Value range
- Standard Output: - lumen, e.g., Philips MASTER LEDtube HF range, Osram SubstiTUBE Advanced range
- High output: - lumen, e.g., Philips MASTER LEDtube High Output range,
- Ultra Output: - - lumen, e.g, Philips MASTER LEDtube Ultra Output range,
Installation:
Does your luminaire contain a starter? If yes, then you have magnetic or conventional ballast. If not, your luminaire operates on an electronic ballast.
Conventional ballast:
- Choose a tube compatible with a conventional ballast – you can check this on the product page.
- Replace the old starter with the LED starter included in the packaging.
- Insert the new LED tube in place of the old fluorescent tube.
Electronic ballast:
- Choose a tube from the Philips MASTER LEDtube InstantFit range or the Osram SubstiTUBE range for easy, plug and play replacement.
- Simply fit the new LED tube into place.
Don’t forget, you can always contact our customer service team for advice on making the switch to LED!
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