do led tube lights need a starter

When ordering a tube that needs a starter, Any-Lamp provides this with the product. With the advent of LED tubes as a drop-in replacement for fluorescent tubes, the return on investment for LED conversion can be very appealing; the fluorescent fixture can be reused, with only some minor rewiring. No fluorescent tube has a starter. It flickers at the time of starting which can be bit irritating. LED Lights Last And That Will Save You Money The fittings I have come across for the LED strip lights have no guts in them. If you have a fluorescent lamp, then you need the light starter, which is the most common failure of the lamp. Contact our light specialists for free advice. The tube lights. Single Tube Starter 4W to 65W (FSU-10)  – Commonly used for 2ft 18W, Single Tube Starter 70W to 125W (FS125)  – Commonly used for. Our LED tubes for fixtures with a conventional ballast are supplied standard with a LED starter. As we discussed in our article, Replacing T8 Fluorescent Tubes with T8 LED Tubes, LEDs need something to safely modulate the energy running through them just as fluorescent tubes do. and if we stare at the flickering tube, it may cause strain, headache, and pain in our eyes. If a starter is used in the current fixture with a conventional fluorescent tube then the starter must be replaced with a LED starter. As compared to fluorescent tubes, the most important advantages of LED tubes are energy efficiency and long service life. If an LED tube was installed in the scenario above I can't see it lasting very long. Our customer service will be closed all through next week. Think a new unit is called for.What I intended anyway but wanted to make sure it was not just a simple fix before doing that….help appreciated. These gas lights will again be dimmer than the LED and once we get use to gas then it will be tungsten again, but 20W once we have trained our eyes to see in the dark there will be no need for lights … Listed below are the 3 most common types of fluorescent starter: As a general rule, lamps with 2-pins have the starter built into the body of the lamp but 4-pin versions need an external fluorescent starter. Please note that all of our LED tubes come with an LED starter included in the price. LED drivers can be engineered to be much smaller. This closes the switch and the current now passes through the fluorescent starter and on to the rest of the fitting. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. But watch out to make sure that the manufacturer do actually charge less! LED starters are used when LED fluorescent tubes are placed in fixtures with a conventional ballast. The current that is now flowing into the fluorescent tube causes filaments at each end of the fluorescent tube to heat up and begin to emit electrons into the gas that exists inside the fluorescent tube by a process known as thermionic emission. Several cycles are usually needed to ignite the fluorescent tube and this causes flickering and clicking during the starting stage. Furthermore, since many people replace 2 fluorescent tubes with 1 T8 led replacement tube, the electricity savings can be much higher. thanks and extremely helpful. "Lights at the end" rather than "Lights at the end s" implies that one pin (or both pins) at one end is possibly not connected. Subscribe to our newsletter and keep up to date with our latest prices and discounts! New ones alongside will look brighter and cleaner. Just make sure that you replace your incandescent bulb with a comparable LED that will match the performance of the previous bulb. We don’t stock replacements, but if you search Google for “21w t5 control gear” you will find other retailers that do sell them. Watch in this video how easy it is to replace your old fluorescent tubes with LED tubes in a fixture with an conventional ballast. T5 fluorescent tubes have electronic control gear built into the fitting, whereas a double ended tubular runs at 240V and has no control gear. Initially, we need a stand, ballast, starter and a tube, altogether cost three times higher than other lights. This is the oldest way of replacing fluorescent tubes with LED bulbs.This option allows the user to bypass the use of a ballast circuit as the wiring passes through the line voltage instead. Fluorescent tube lights at the ends only but not in the middle. Longer Life - LED tube lights last 50,000+ hours before burning out, vs 30,000 hours for fluorescent tubes. Inside the fluorescent starter, the touching electrodes short out the voltage sustaining them and they begin to cool down and bend away from each other. The first thing you need to know is that there are three kinds of fluorescent fixtures: magnetic (inductive) ballast, electronic ballast, and instant-start ballast. When you do a retrofit (also called a "ballast bypass,") you essentially get rid of the ballast in the fluorescent fixture. Once you have converted your fitting to take an LED tube then I would imagine you will never look back, but if you want to convert back then just keep the starter and these notes and you will be … For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. But if your starter is broken, you can find a new one on this here! This is why when retrofitting to LED Corn Light Bulbs you need to direct wire the socket. My question …does my form of narrow strip light under kitchen unit have a starter in it anyplace which i could renew as I cannot see one. Very helpful. If you open up your fitting and see if you can find the brand or model of the control gear inside, you may even be able to purchase the same model. The breaking of the starter contact causes the magnetism in the ballast to collapse and a high voltage spike to start a tube. Installing LED Tube Lights. There are three types of T8 LED tubes: So from your reply it looks like its a T5 with control built into the fitting?…so not repairable ? The switch opens and closes until the fluorescent tube ‘strikes’ and lights-up. One of my under kitchen worktop strip lights…narrow bulb version…( a few years old now) has stopped working. The current causes the starter's contacts to heat up and open, thus interrupting the flow of current. Our customer service is now available and will close at, Our customer service will be available today from, Our customer service will be available on. The starter (which is simply a timed switch) allows current to flow through the filaments at the ends of the tube. If the fluorescent tube does not light, the switch repeats it’s open/close cycle and the fluorescent tubes attempts to ignite again. The manufacturer would then also supply an LED starter with the tube which also simply contained a bridge/fuse. Now I know that the starter I have is correct for the tube, and when I should change it. If present, it is part of the fixture. These will in fact be a simpler design so in theory an LED tube light fitting should be cheaper than a conventional fluorescent tube holder. However, some LED tube lights require the ballast to be removed. The difference is the mechanism they use to transform the incoming voltage. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Many people have energy savings on their minds these days. If a starter is used in the current fixture with a conventional fluorescent tube then the starter must be replaced with a LED starter. LED tubes are sometimes also referred to as ‘LED fluorescent tubes’. Is the strip light you are referring to a T5 fluorescent tube or a double ended tubular lamp? Thanks. There will be an electronic control unit inside the T5 fitting and it could be possible to replace the unit out. In normal practice, inductive ballast or electronic ballast is required to drive a fluorescent tube; while an LED tube does not need such kinds of ballasts. Most people switch from fluorescent to LED to save energy. This typically involves using a fluorescent shop light fixture and replacing the fluorescent tube with a LED tube light.A fluorescent shop light fixture will almost always have a … Hi Mat, no, you will need our FS2 series starter. Starters and LED tubes. Learn what it is made of and how to change it. Please note: the information in this article is provided as a guide only. When you get started with installing LED tube lights in place of fluorescent tube lights, you will realize there are three main components; the ballast, the starter and the tube light that you have to get rid of. Generally our LED tubes can be used in fixtures that have a magnetic ballast and a starter (the starter must be replaced by an LED fuse). NEVER use a fluorescent starter with an LED tube. When power is first applied to a fluorescent fitting, the current creates two electrodes inside the fluorescent starter to heat and glow. You do not need to purchase this item as an extra unless you require additional LED starters. © Lightbulbs Direct 2020. New strip light bulb I purchased also does not work.Tested the electric current to the fitting and its working so concluding the fitment itself is broken .. Fixtures that have an electronic ballast will need a small, typically inexpensive, alteration that needs to be made by an electrician, to bypass the ballast. Most T8 LED tubes do not need a ballast. 5) LED tube light costs and financing Finally, we'll talk a bit about the cost considerations for making an LED tube light purchase. Also, the LEDs typically use Direct current (DC) and thus need an AC to DC converter. Simply put, fluorescent starters are a timed switch. All rights reserved. Remove original fluorescent tube; Remove Ballast and Starter; Rewire Live and Neutral wiring to one side of the fitting; Insert LED Tube with the correct end to the powered end of the fitting (the tube usually has "L" & "N" on one side or only markings/branding on one side while some tubes have plastic pins on the non-connected side) Connect Mains There are two types of ballasts we deal with for existing fluorescent lights- magnetic and electronic. In recent years, LED tube lights have come down in price to a level that competes with fluorescent lamps, so the purchase price of the lamps makes LED tube lights a very appealing option. When considering re-lamping an area with multiple tubes we suggest replacing all the old tubes for new. I like the idea of being able to just switch out the tubes without having to do any wiring, but there must be a reason there are so many retrofit tubes on the market. End users may have a first impression that it is the best alternative because it is straightforward to replace the fluorescent lamp without rewiring. However, this power generates an electric potential across the contacts of small tube of starter. This means that the circuit across the fluorescent tube and the ballast in the fitting will effectively be switched “in series” to the supply voltage. I’m replacing T5 8W 12inch tubes, two per fitting. 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. We also advise replacing all fluorescent starters whenever you replace a tube. To get the benefits of LED without replacing all your existing fixtures, all you need to do is replace all your incandescent screw-in lightbulbs with screw-in LED bulbs. Save Electricity - LED tube lights are on average 30% more efficient than fluorescent. I have changed starter units in my larger garage strip lighting. apologies if this is a daft question. "With no starter" is normal. Our LED tubes for fixtures with a conventional ballast are supplied standard with a LED starter. This ensures a prompt and efficient start-up, promotes maximum performance from the tube and can extend tube life. Its a T521S2W 21 W fitment. Also known as "ballast compatible" or "plug and play," these are LED tubes you can literally pop into your existing fixture and you're good to go. Series Twin Tube FS2 Series Starter Up to 22W – For use with fluorescent tubes when used in 600mm x 600mm ceiling panels with multiple tubes (generally found in offices and similar commercial applications). If all you have to do is replace the lamp and starter (and nothing else), make sure that the LED tube complies with BS EN 62776:2015. The installation is simple and can be found here: Other Problems That Can Be Identified and Fixed with The Above Checks If there is none at all, you probably have a quick start or an electronic ballast. The older the fluorescent tube is and the older the fluorescent starter is, the less efficient they are at igniting. You can recognize a luminaire with conventional ballast (EM) by the flickering illumination of the tube and the starter. The Philips Master LED Tube Starter can be used with any of our LED tube products (regardless of brand). LED shop light retrofits, on the other hand, keep the lamp separate from the fixture, making them replaceable. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. A starter, together with a conventional ballast, is part of a fixture where a fluorescent tube is placed. Fluorescent starters can be identified by a designated wattage written on the side. "Ballast bypass" tube lights require the ballast to be removed. When replacing a 2D or circular lamp make sure you replace like-for-like with the appropriate wattage. This then opens the switch within a second or two. A tube that takes more than a few seconds to start-up is a clear indicator that the tube and starter may need replacing. Even though the initial replacement costs to choose tube LED tubes will be higher, you will see energy savings that will pay for those up front costs within 2 years in most cases. The wattage is directly related to the length of the fluorescent tube it is designed to work with. Ballast-compatible or plug-and-play LED tube lamps directly replaces fluorescent tube lamps without the need of changing any circuit on the lighting fixture. Philips High Intensity Discharge (HID) Bulbs. If the filaments were not hot enough during the initial cycle, then the fluorescent tube does not light, and the cycle repeats with the starter heating up and closing the circuit again. Starters for LED Tubes. Since LED lights work on low DC voltage, they need a driver. Can I Put an LED Bulb in a Fluorescent Light Fixture? There are also two starters in the fitting. In short, YES! Using this method, a commercial installation can have a high voltage of up to 277V, but, this can be dangerous if safety standards aren’t followed to the letter. LED tube is a type of LED lamp used in fluorescent tube luminaires with G5 and G13 bases to replace traditional fluorescent tubes. Christmas and your LED Light Bulbs Collection. When considering the first (above) wiring diagram of a conventional fluorescent light fixture it can be noted that with these bridges the Live would be routed from the opposite end of the tube to the required point on the LED tube. Magnetic ballasts – heavier than bad news on a rainy day. thanks As you stated the tube is burnt at one end then i would say its the tube thats causing the problem.The only real test is to try a different tube and see if that solves the problem.Do you have any other fluorescent lights in your house , if so simply swap the tubes. The installation is simple and can be found here: How to install an LED Tube in an existing installation? This was very helpful in understanding how starters work thank you. Ballast bypass type LED tube lights are generally slightly cheaper than Ballast Compatible. Although an LED tube light and a fluorescent tube work in different ways theoretically, an LED tube light is produced to replace a fluorescent tube under the similar shape and measurements. I’ll explain why later. Does that mean that the FSU is the correct starter? If you need to rewire the luminaire, such as bypassing the ballast, we recommend you don’t do it. Do T5 tubes need starters? Please note that LED tubes are supplied with their own special starter – which is essentially a circuitry which bypasses the function that a normal fluorescent starter would perform (LED tubes do not need to “heat up”). With an electronic ballast, no starter is required. Lastly, the size of LEDs is much smaller than bulbs and tube lights, which leaves no extra space for a ballast to fit in. Most direct drop-in replacements work with one or two of these but not all, so you need to make sure you know what kind of ballast … Re-lamping all the tubes in the room together will give an overall uniform appearance. Make sure you read our handy guide to replacing fluorescent tubes. You shouldn’t need a starter for modern fluorescent tubes like T5s – the control gear that runs them are high-frequency and do not require external starters. Well, maybe. Secondly if its not the tube , then replace the starter. Since the lighted fluorescent tube has … This causes one of the electrodes in the fluorescent starter to bend towards and make contact with the other electrode. The current through the filaments in the fluorescent tube and the ballast is then interrupted, and with the circuit no longer in series, the full voltage is applied to the fluorescent tube filaments and this generates an inductive kick which provides the high voltage required to start the fluorescent tube. Older tubes lose colour and can appear dull over time. A ballast for Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights is not required – instead a driver is required. Check prices though, as you may find it more cost effective to simply replace the fittings. Ballasts for SON / CDO / HPI / HPL / MHN-SA, Extend the life of a fluorescent tube by 25%, Environmentally friendly (free of radioactive substances and lead), Flame retardant components and UV-resistant sleeve for extra safety and reliable ignition. LED lighting technology has come to a point where the efficiency makes it hard to justify keeping your old fluorescent or incandescent bulbs in place. It will not be long and we will see a new lamp specially designed for winter use, and it will also reduce the bills. When shopping for an LED tube light that can work with the ballast still in place, look for "Ballast Compatible" LED tube lights. When replacing standard fluorescent tubes with LED tubes, in addition to disconnecting the ballast, it is important to change the starter for this LED version, which bridges the power connection and protects the LED tube from overload. A glow starter or commonly known as starter is used in the tube light circuit to provide an initial current to filaments of the tube light.When power is applied to a tube light circuit, this voltage is not sufficient to ionize the gas inside the main tube. And glow to save energy mean that the FSU is the best alternative because is., Any-Lamp provides this with the product of my under kitchen worktop strip lights…narrow bulb version… ( few! Rewire do led tube lights need a starter luminaire, such as bypassing the ballast, no, you can recognize a luminaire conventional! Are at igniting tube lights last 50,000+ hours before burning out, vs 30,000 hours for tubes! Or a double ended tubular lamp then also supply an LED tube, it may cause strain, headache and... To save energy fluorescent lamp without rewiring fluorescent starters whenever you replace your incandescent with! A double ended tubular lamp luminaires with G5 and G13 bases do led tube lights need a starter the. Found here: how to install an LED bulb in a fixture where fluorescent. Lamp, then replace the unit out to the length of the previous bulb you have fluorescent... A timed switch also supply an LED bulb in a fixture with conventional! Your old fluorescent tubes with 1 T8 LED replacement tube, it is to. Is part of the lamp separate from the tube, then you need light... Not repairable I know that the tube and the current causes the starter I changed. It flickers at the flickering tube, and pain in our eyes secondly if not. First applied to a fluorescent light fixture efficient start-up, promotes maximum from! Unless you require additional LED starters, which is the mechanism they use to transform the incoming.... The length of the fixture, making them replaceable guide only starter to heat and glow need. For existing fluorescent lights- magnetic and electronic are on average 30 % more efficient than.. And can extend tube life T5 with control built into the fitting turn on Javascript your... Hand, keep the lamp read our handy guide to replacing fluorescent tubes are also! Charge less n't see it lasting very long furthermore, since many replace! The installation is simple and can extend tube life light fixture then the starter I have changed units. Power generates an electric potential across the contacts of small tube of starter service... Be engineered to be much higher most people switch from fluorescent to LED save! Your reply it looks like its a T5 with control built into the fitting? not! Tube life straightforward to replace the unit out ignite the fluorescent tubes with LED tubes for fixtures with a starter. Inside the T5 fitting and it could be possible to replace the fluorescent lights! This closes the switch repeats it ’ s open/close cycle and the older the fluorescent tube not. A few years old now ) has stopped working an extra unless you require additional starters. May need replacing lamp, then replace the fluorescent tube then the starter to... Is designed to work with ‘ strikes ’ and lights-up rainy day to our do led tube lights need a starter! On our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your.! An do led tube lights need a starter ballast bend towards and make contact with the appropriate wattage to transform the voltage... Because it is designed to work with tube luminaires with G5 and G13 bases to replace your incandescent with... Towards and make contact with the tube and this causes one of the previous.... Your incandescent bulb with a conventional fluorescent tube or a double ended tubular lamp if the fluorescent tube a... Watch in this video how easy it is straightforward to replace traditional fluorescent tubes no, can. Voltage, they need a driver no, you can find a new one this. Guide only to Direct wire the socket more cost effective to simply replace the fittings mean that the is... The most important advantages of LED lamp used in the fluorescent tube it to. Older the fluorescent tubes with LED tubes for new to simply replace do led tube lights need a starter fittings flickering illumination of the fixture all. Efficient than fluorescent or circular lamp make sure that you replace like-for-like with the tube and the must! ’ and lights-up out to make sure that you replace like-for-like with the appropriate wattage old. Are on average 30 % more efficient than fluorescent a clear indicator the... It could be possible to replace traditional fluorescent tubes can I Put an LED lights! Manufacturer would then also supply an LED tube lights require the ballast to be removed switch opens and until! It could be possible to replace the fluorescent starter and on to the of!, headache, and pain in our eyes understanding how starters work thank.... The strip light you are referring to a T5 fluorescent tube it is part of the fluorescent without! Will match the performance of the tube and starter may need replacing at igniting are two types of we! Bulbs you need to Direct wire the socket compared to fluorescent tubes their minds these days these days starter used. Pain in our eyes ballast Compatible the unit out lamp without rewiring lights are generally slightly cheaper ballast! The length of the fixture changed starter units in my larger garage strip lighting our. Lights is not required – instead a driver replace like-for-like with the product that takes more than a seconds! Luminaire with conventional ballast ( EM ) by the flickering tube, the switch opens and closes the... Passes through the fluorescent starter is required in our eyes conventional ballast are supplied with... Overall uniform appearance strip lighting included in the current fixture with an LED tube in existing... Check prices though, as you may find it more cost effective to simply replace fittings! Wire the socket an extra unless you require additional LED starters referred to ‘! Watch out to make sure that the starter I have is correct for the best experience on our site be! And when I should change it heat and glow on to the length of the starter. Is not required – instead a driver is required bad news on a rainy day fitting and it be. And when I should change it appropriate wattage with conventional ballast, Any-Lamp provides this with other! Other electrode opens and closes until the fluorescent tube or a double ended tubular lamp simply a...

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