How Can We Help?

What is the lumen output of T5HO LED Lamps?

What is the lumen output of these lamps? I have heard complaints that the lamps they got are less than half as bright as conventional T5HO lamps.

We can confirm that the 4-ft PhotonTube™ T5HO LED Grow Light Tubes have an output of 48 umols/sec, which translates to 2087 lumens per unit. 

Do you offer 8ft T8 LED Tube Bulbs with the same color of (5000K or 6500K)?

Still trying to come up with a solution for lighting this studio space. I’m afraid the LED strips are going to be problematic as installation. I think the T-8 LED bulbs might be better, and more reliable overall. My calculations to achieve 126K-plus luminous would require 60 4-ft tubes at 12 feet up. Any chance you can offer 8ft. tubes with the same color spec ( 5000K or 6500K )? Also, are standard fluorescent bi-tube or quad-tube fixtures compatible?

While we currently do not offer 8 ft T8 LED tube light products at this time, I would be more than happy to let my product team know of your interest in the form factor for future consideration.

Further, our 4 ft T8 LED tube lights will unfortunately not work within bi-tube or quad-tube fixtures. Generally speaking, unless the light fixtures are 4 ft in length, our products cannot physically fit within them.

Though we may not have the precise products that you described available.

 If we wanted to create ten rows of 6 each end to end or 3 rows of 6 pairs each, would that be feasible? 

As long as the T8 lamp fixtures can accommodate 4-ft tube lights, they can be configured in any layout, including 10 rows of 6 lamps, or 3 rows of 12 lamps.

Generally, it would help distribute the light most evenly if the lamp fixtures are placed as equally distributed as possible.

Would your Full spectrum LED T8 Tube leads be a better choice to protect vision?

I read an article about how LED lighting is real bad for your vision. I think because of too much blue light. Would your full spectrum leads be a better choice to protect vision?

Lights which feature a low CRI, as well as a high flicker rate, can be detrimental by causing excess fatigue to our eyes.

Alternatively, products such as ours which emit light which closely resembles that of natural light, and feature a high CRI and low flicker-rate, should not cause nearly as much eye fatigue.

The blog on our website feature several in-depth posts which further explain the safety of LED lights, as well as the details regarding full spectrum lighting. I have provided several blog post links below, which might prove to be useful.

Everything You Need to Know About Full Spectrum Lighting: https://www.waveformlighting.com/human-centric/everything-you-need-to-know-about-full-spectrum-lighting

Are LED Lights Safe? Are They Harmful to Your Health?: https://www.waveformlighting.com/human-centric/are-led-lights-safe-are-they-harmful-to-your-health

Blue Light, Melatonin and Circadian Rhythms: https://www.waveformlighting.com/human-centric/blue-light-melatonin-and-circadian-rhythms

High CRI T8 LED Tube Lights for a Print Company

I am working for a print company and I am looking to switch out the old fluorescent T8 bulbs with LEDs. Around the press, it is important to have a light that is as close to daylight as possible so that the pressman can accurately gauge how the colors are coming out and make adjustments as needed. I am wondering what the best bulbs for this application would be. I am assuming that a bulb with a high CRI would be best but any ideas on what would work best would be appreciated. 

Our high CRI T8 LED lamps sound like a great fit for the application. You are absolutely right that high color rendering (CRI) would be very important in your installation in order to ensure that color appearances can be judged accurately against a daylight color standard.

Specifically, we find that most of our customers in printing industries strive to adhere to the ISO D50 standards, which defines a very particular color point for natural daylight calibrated to 5000K. Below is some additional information on D50 which you may find useful:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/color-matching/what-is-d50-for-graphic-arts-printing

​Below is our T8 LED tube light product which is calibrated to the ISO D50 standard:

These lamps will fit in standard 4-ft fluorescent fixtures, and the fixtures do not require any further modifications as long as the fluorescent ballast is listed as a compatible product here.

Will I be able to double end direct wire these bulbs. We have been replacing the old fluorescent bulbs in the building with LED and have been going the direct wire route. I would prefer to keep these the same as all the others so there is no confusion if anything has to be changed. 

The lamps are indeed compatible with double-ended direct wire configurations. Furthermore, they can be used with both shunted and non-shunted tombstones, so we should be covered with whatever wiring configuration you already have in place. (We wholeheartedly agree that maintaining consistency across all of the fixtures is a great idea from a safety and maintenance perspective!)

​I've linked to our installation manual below, which includes instructions on permissible wiring configurations:

​https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/UM_4024.pdf

The ballast is quite old and is not listed on your compatible ballast list. I've attached a picture of the ballast in hopes that you could let me know if the bulbs will work with our setup. As well the fixture has safety starters for each bulb which I assume should be removed before the LEDs are put in, is that correct?

You are correct that the ballast is not listed on a compatible ballast list, and as such, unfortunately this would not be a permissible installation method and would void the warranty on the product.

You are also correct that the safety starters would need to be removed.

We completely understand the desire to go with a plug-and-play installation, and regret that we are unable to support use with the older fluorescent ballast model.

We would perhaps recommend rewiring a single fixture first to test out our lamps, and if you and your employees are happy with the light color, accuracy and brightness, proceed with the rewiring work for the remaining fixtures.

T8 LED Tube Light for Bathroom Installation

Our apartment has weird florescent fixtures in the bathroom. For replacements, we were told to order Sunlite T8 High Performance Medium Bi-Pin (G13) Base Straight Tube Light Bulb, 25W/3500K which is horrible. I am considering ordering CENTRIC DAYLIGHT Full Spectrum Flicker-Free T8 LED Tube Light in 5000K. The fixture is for a 48 inch bulb. Will these work in a bathroom? Also, two of the fixtures are for 24 inch bulbs. Do you have the T8 in 24 inches?

Our CENTRIC DAYLIGHT lamps sound like a nice alternative for what you are looking for.​Our lamps are 48" in length and should therefore be a great fit for your bathroom fixture. The lamps are rated for damp location use and there should similarly not be any issues in terms of the installation location.​We do offer the lamp in a 4000K color temperature option as well, which may be a more optimal color temperature for a bathroom location for residential installations.

We unfortunately do not have any 24" bulbs at this time. We're sorry for the inconvenience!

LED Tube Lights Fluorescent Replacement Installation

If I have Type A bulbs that are designed for use with a ballast system, will they still function correctly in a non-ballast environment? Can they be connected as if they are Type B, or will the lack of ballast create problems?

Is there an easy way to tell if the lamp is single-ended? Should I assume they are all double-ended unless otherwise marked?

We are certainly in agreement that removing the fluorescent ballast is an excellent idea, especially given the compatibility and potential safety concerns that you experienced.

By definition, UL Type A lamps will require a fluorescent ballast to operate, so once the fluorescent ballast have been removed, you will not be able to use the UL Type A lamps in those fixtures anymore.

That being said, some products, such as Waveform Lighting's T8 LED tubes, can be used in both ballast and non-ballast fixtures. In terms of the UL Type nomenclature, they are considered UL Type A+B.

If you've been able to confirm that your lamps are UL Type B (ballast-bypass), you will need to confirm with the manufacturer or product marking to see whether those lamps are designed for single-ended or double-ended installation. All single-ended installations will use non-shunted lampholders, while double-ended installations may be shunted or non-shunted.

Recommended Fixture for CENTRIC DAYLIGHT Full Spectrum Flicker-Free T8 LED Tube Lights

I need a fixture that holds four CENTRIC DAYLIGHT Full Spectrum Flicker-Free T8 LED Tube Lights. What do you recommend? 

Our CENTRIC DAYLIGHT T8 lamps will fit into virtually all 4-ft fluorescent fixtures. Generally, they will work best without a fluorescent ballast, and as such we would recommend avoiding any fixtures that have fluorescent ballasts already installed. Since it sounds like you are looking for a new fixture to install, you may want to specifically search for four-lamp fixtures without any fluorescent ballasts pre-installed.While we do not have any specific fixture recommendations, we would recommend doing a search for "LED ready" T8 4-ft fixtures, as this will ensure that any new fixture you purchase will not contain any fluorescent ballasts, which can cause additional compatibility issues.

Is this light single or double ended?

The lamps can be used in both single and double ended fixtures.

For your reference, below is the installation guide which shows wiring and additional details for both single and double ended installations:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/UM_4024.pdf

Can T8 LED tube lights be used in T12 fixtures?

I have a fluorescent fixture that currently houses T12 lamps. Can your T8 lamps be used in the same fixture?

In answering this question, we need to evaluate for both physical as well as electrical compatibility.In terms of physical compatibility, both T8 and T12 lamps use the same G13 bi-pin base, so as long as they are the same length (e.g. 4-ft), a T8 lamp will physically fit inside a T12 fixture.Electrical compatibility is a bit trickier, because T12 fixtures will almost always contain a T12 ballast, which is not compatible with T8 lamps. Direct-wire compatible T8 LED tube lights can be used in a T12 fixture, as long as the T12 ballast is either bypassed, or completely removed. T8 LED lamps which are not direct-wire compatible (with ballast) will require a T8 ballast to operate, so unless the T12 ballast in the T12 fixture is replaced with a T8 ballast, a non-direct-wire compatible T8 LED lamp will not work in a T12 fixture.Waveform Lighting's T8 LED tube lights feature compatibility with all ballast configurations (ballast, ballast bypass single ended, ballast bypass double ended), so they can safely be used in T12 fixtures as long as the T12 ballast is bypassed or removed.For further instructions on installation and wiring, please reference our installation manual:https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/UM_4024.pdf

Color matching for dental office lighting

I run a dental practice and am looking for better lighting in my office. I need to be able to match tooth colors with various shades of filling material (e.g. ceramic / composite resin). The industry recommendation is to use natural daylight / sunlight as the standard. I currently have 4-ft fluorescent T8 fixtures in my office. What LED tube product would you recommend?

We can completely understand why being able to properly match tooth color to filling materials would be crucial for your practice. With your existing fluorescent lighting, there's a good chance that what appears to be a color match in the office may not actually be a match under natural lighting!

From a technical specifications perspective, we would recommend 5000K with a high CRI, as this will allow you to match natural daylight / sunlight the best.

5000K is likely the most ideal color temperature for your application, as it offers a more neutral color point compared to 4000K (morning sunshine) and 6500K (blue sky). Perhaps most importantly, the high CRI value will ensure that the tooth and filling colors you see in the office are the same colors you will see under natural lighting conditions.

Please see below for our 5000K / 95 CRI product link:

These LED tube lights include DirectWire™ technology, so you'll be able to re-lamp your existing fluorescent fixture without having to worry about re-wiring or re-configuring the ballast connection. Simply remove the fluorescent lamps, and install our LED tubes and you'll be up and running!

Finally, we offer a 30-day free returns policy on our products, so if you're unsure, we recommend testing the lamps to see how they work out for you. If they aren't what you're looking for, we will gladly pay for return shipping and provide a full refund.

Need assistance selecting LED lights for painting and sculpture studio

We are interested in utilizing your LED lighting products and are searching for assistance in the selection of proper lighting for a painting and sculpture studio.

We had anticipated that we would utilize LED tube lighting flush with the ceiling primarily for our working lighting. What would you recommend?

We offer numerous full-spectrum, daylight-calibrated LED lights that would be an excellent fit for your painting and sculpture studio.

If you are seeking an LED tube lighting solution, our NorthLux™ T8 LED tube lights would be your best bet. These lamps work in existing 4-ft fluorescent fixtures with compatible or bypassed ballasts. If you prefer not to worry about fixture compatibility, or you need to purchase new fixtures for a new studio construction project, these LED tube lights can also be used in our LED-ready T8 fixtures.

Alternatively, you may also want to consider our NorthLux™ LED shop lights and T5 linear fixture options. These alternatives offer the same 95 CRI, daylight-calibrated light quality, but depending on the aesthetics and wiring requirements, may also be viable options.

Lighting up a garage with no windows

I am looking to light up a garage with no windows. It is horrendously hot here in the summer and I want to be able to work in my garage with the doors closed, with the air-conditioning on. Looking into high CRI lighting so that it is nicer in there with good quality light.

The summer heat issue is totally understandable and it sounds like high CRI lighting is definitely a great solution!

For starters, LED lights emit far less heat than fluorescent and incandescent lamps, so regardless of which LED product you ultimately install, you will certainly be helping to keep your garage cooler, and you'll also be able to double-dip on electricity savings as your air-conditioning unit will not need to work as hard.

For garage lighting installations, our 95 CRI LED shop lights have been some of the most popular. Below is an actual installation from one of our customers, courtesy of Mike Fitzpatrick from Liquid Audio.

The LED shop lights are designed to be hung using the included hanging chains, and plug into any electrical outlet, so these are a great option if you're looking for some highly focused light output without having to perform any wiring work. The daisy-chain capability of these lights may also be an added benefit.

Another option would be our 95 CRI T5 linear fixtures. These fixtures also plug into any electrical outlet and can be daisy chained, but are designed to be mounted directly using the included screw or magnet mounts. In terms of aesthetics and installation, these offer a more slim and compact footprint.

Below is an actual customer photo from one of our customers, courtesy of Jimmy Sig.

Finally, if you have existing fluorescent lamp fixtures, our 95 CRI T8 LED lamps may be the most straightforward and low-cost solution. These lamps can be used to directly replace the 4-ft fluorescent lamps currently in your fixture. You'll see approximately the same quantity of light (brightness) but you'll immediately notice the improvement in the quality of light!

This is a great option if you already have the fixtures, as you won't need to perform any extra installation or rewiring work (unless the fluorescent ballast is not compatible with our lamps), keeping both fixture and labor costs down. The added benefit is that if you already have fluorescent lamps in place, you'll have a rough idea of the light distribution and brightness so you won't need to worry as much about fixture placement and modifications.

T8 LED replacements for retail garden center

We operate a retail garden center, and are looking to replace 4-ft T8 fluorescent tubes with high CRI LEDs to improve the visual appeal of our products in our retail area. What do you recommend?

Our CENTRIC DAYLIGHT T8 LED tube lights sound like an excellent fit for this application!

These T8 LED lamps feature 95 CRI and are available in color temperatures of 4000K, 5000K and 6500K. Retail environments typically utilize 4000K, but if your garden retail area has any natural lighting as well, 5000K or even 6500K may be a good way to better match the light color to the natural light color.

With respect to color temperature, it is primarily a question of preference, as all of these color temperature options are calibrated to natural light; the main difference being the type of natural light. For example, we commonly say 4000K is similar to morning sunshine, while 5000K is similar to noon sun and 6500K approximates noon daylight (north-facing sky).

As you've correctly mentioned, the 95 CRI rating will ensure that the color in your plants will appear vivid and natural. This should not only increase the visual appeal, but may also lead to higher customer satisfaction as the color of the products will appear nearly identical to what your customers see once the plants are transplanted in their outdoor gardens.

What is the difference between a T8 fixture and a ballast?

In your search for T8 LED tube lights, you may come across a variety of terms that sound familiar, but you aren't quite sure you fully understand. With all of the concerns with respect to compatibility, you'll definitely want be sure you know what lighting manufacturers mean when they use terms like T8 fixture and T8 ballast.

What is a T8 fixture?

The term T8 fixture typically refers to the structure which houses T8 lamps (either fluorescent or LED). For most commercial and residential installations, T8 fixtures are mounted on or in the ceiling, with a plastic cover for aesthetics and improved light distribution.

Some industrial locations may have T8 fixtures which are hung or otherwise exposed, without a plastic cover.

Nonetheless, the term "T8 fixture" will almost always refer to the metallic housing for the lamps. Specifically, the term "T8" indicates that the fixture is designed for T8 lamps, which are a specific lamp size (1 inch diameter).

Below is a photo of a T8 fixture in a warehouse, shown with the T8 lamps removed.

What is a T8 ballast?

A T8 ballast is an electronic device that is mounted inside of the T8 fixture. It is not the same as the fixture itself, and is a component within the fixture's wiring system. Generally, it can only be accessed and identified upon removing the fixture cover.

T8 ballasts are necessary for the safe and reliable operation of T8 fluorescent lamps. They may, or may not be necessary for T8 LED lamps. Some LED lamps are designed to be backwards compatible with fluorescent T8 ballasts, while others are not at all compatible with T8 fluorescent ballasts, and the ballast must be removed.

For ballast-compatible LED T8 lamps, you will likely need to check for compatibility of the fluorescent T8 ballast with the T8 LED lamp.

Below is a photo showing the same T8 fixture as above, with the reflector cover removed. Upon removal, the T8 ballast can be seen, allowing for further rewiring work or inspection of the ballast manufacturer and model number.

Bottom Line: T8 Fixture vs Ballast

As shown in the photos above, you will see that T8 fixtures and ballasts refer to different concepts. T8 fixtures will almost always contain T8 ballasts, and they can only be identified upon removal of the fixture cover.

‹   Knowledge Base Home