DIY Series 23 @ MCO: Changing Fluorescent Tube to T8 LED Tube

T8 LED Tube is consuming lower power and yet can give higher brightness.

Fluorescent light tube had been accompanying us since childhood till now. However, since technology changed from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting, it is the time for us to enter into LED world.

Fluorescent lighting normally consist of metal housing and light tube. Of course, there are another 2 main parts: ballast and starter.

Changing from fluorescent tube to LED tube, you may continue to reuse the existing housing, but you will need to do 2 main changes.

First, choose your preferred single ended LED Tube (T8 type), at 20W/22W/30W, with daylight / warm white / cool white. 

If you are currently using fluorescent lighting, typically it will comes magnetic ballast and starter, so choose the Figure 1 or Figure 2 below as your installation guide. 

Figure 1: Only Remove Starter & Keep Magnetic Ballast

Figure 2: Remove Starter & Bypass / Remove Magnetic Ballast

Figure 3: Remove Electronic Ballast

Installation by Figure 1 will continue to allow ballast to consume additional 6W without serving any purpose.

Installation by Figure 2 will further eliminate 6W power consumption by ballast. It is recommended to follow Figure 2 installation.

1) Power OFF the lighting switch, make sure no power supply into the target during installation. You may use test pen to cross check.

2) Removed the starter from the housing. Cover the hole with a masking tape to prevent lizard to enter into the housing.

3) Remove the fluorescent light from the housing.

4) Open the housing cover, unscrew the connection at the ballast and shorted both wires into same connection. You may also choose to remove the ballast from the housing directly. 

5) Install the new T8 LED Tube and it is done. 

6) You may now Power ON and feel the different. It is now brighter and give you more saving on electric bill.