# Explain LED fluorescent bulb replacements to me
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 7, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213 "2023-08-07T22:27:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)
#### Post date: [August 7, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/1 "2023-08-07T22:27:10Z")
I know about a lot of handyman/ DIY stuff but not this. Our office has tasked me with being in charge of replacing our current T-8 fluorescent bulbs with LED replacement bulbs.
As I understand it, some replacements plug right in and some require bypassing the ballast. I checked out a few websites but, honestly, I’m more confused than when I started.
Is there an easy way to explain the difference so I can decide what I need?
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [August 7, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/2 "2023-08-07T23:34:16Z")
Is it necessary to keep the existing fixtures? Or are you allowed to install new fixtures?
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### Author:  [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)
#### Post date: [August 7, 2023, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/3 "2023-08-07T23:46:01Z")
My standard answer in these threads is: don’t try to get away with not bypassing the ballast. I did that with several lamps in my basement and it lasted for a couple of years…until the ballast failed anyway.
Not only were the simple drop-in bulbs more expensive, but the ballast is still in the circuit being its old obsolete self.
Bypassing the ballast is easy peasy lemon squeezy. There are YouTube videos that explain exactly how to do it.
Once I did this and bought the regular LED bulbs I never looked back–they work perfectly every time, and there is no ballast to eventually wear out.
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### Author:  [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/4 "2023-08-08T03:14:41Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#):
>
> don’t try to get away with not bypassing the ballast
Good advice! I used some replacements a while back that did not require replacement. The ballast started making noise a while after, of course. I removed the fixtures and removed the ballast. Installed new LED tubes. I did have to replace the tombstone connector on one end if each fixture though. The LED tubes came with good instructions.
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### Author:  [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/5 "2023-08-08T03:24:34Z")
Can you link to the lamps you purchased? I may be interested in doing this little project in my kitchen.
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### Author:  [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/6 "2023-08-08T03:32:27Z")
Sorry, it’s been at least 4 years ago. Amazon is full of them though. Here’s a [link](https://www.amazon.com/Hykolity-Plug-Play-Single-Ended-Double-Ended-Connection/dp/B08223JB88/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1SH4XZDMVAJU0&keywords=led%2Bt8%2Bbulbs%2B4ft&qid=1691465172&sprefix=LED%2Bfor%2BT8%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-6&th=1) to one example though.
Note that these can be used with or without the ballast. Also connected on one end or both ends.
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### Author:  [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/7 "2023-08-08T03:45:48Z")
Thank you for the link. The price made me jump until I realized it is for a box of 20!
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### Author:  [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/8 "2023-08-08T12:25:09Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#):
>
> I know about a lot of handyman/ DIY stuff but not this. Our office has tasked me with being in charge of replacing our current T-8 fluorescent bulbs with LED replacement bulbs.
>
> As I understand it, some replacements plug right in and some require bypassing the ballast. I checked out a few websites but, honestly, I’m more confused than when I started.
>
> Is there an easy way to explain the difference so I can decide what I need?
I would request the services of an electrician if you are going to rewire the fixtures to bypass the ballasts (bypass is recommended). Reason is for safety and liability. Not all fixtures are 1 2 3 easy peasy. Some require rewiring of the lamp holders. If you get the AB style lamps they will work with or without ballasts.
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### Author:  [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/9 "2023-08-08T15:39:12Z")
Thanks all. Given the advise here, I did further research and came to the conclusion that the Type A is the way to go. The existing fixtures are over 10 years old so the ballasts are probably iffy. I also contracted an electrician to give us an estimate for doing the work.
Thanks again.
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### Author:  [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/10 "2023-08-08T16:01:57Z")
I would replace the whole fixture. IME, they come complete with a bulb and cost little more than the bulb on its own. No doubt your electrician can advise you, but you should check.
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### Author:  [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/11 "2023-08-08T16:14:33Z")
Since this is an office, I would be uncomfortable with doing anything myself other than a drop-in bulb replacement. Anything involving wires should be handled by a licensed electrician. If it was your home, then it’s no problem to do everything yourself. But in an office, there may be more regulations to worry about and you don’t want any future problems with the wiring to be blamed on you.
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/12 "2023-08-08T19:28:53Z")
The LED replacements that I have seen to not use the ballast. They just rectify 120v and provide a current source for the LEDs. I disconnected the ballast and connected 120VAC to the sockets as described in the accompanying instructions.
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### Author:  [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/13 "2023-08-08T22:13:26Z")
> [@bob\_2](#):
>
> I would replace the whole fixture. IME, they come complete with a bulb and cost little more than the bulb on its own. No doubt your electrician can advise you, but you should check.
This is a commercial setting without much wiggle room for anything that’s not exactly the same size and aesthetics as current ones. It’s not so much about cost in this instance.
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### Author:  [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/14 "2023-08-08T23:37:31Z")
> [@bob\_2](#):
>
> IME, they come complete with a bulb and cost little more than the bulb on its own. No doubt your electrician can advise you, but you should check.
The problem with these is that eventually they die and you have to replace the whole fixture which is a) somewhat annoying b) environmentally destructive and c) expensive. Now imagine you have 5, 10, or 50 of the same fixture in an office building and you can’t get a replacement from a “manufacturer” (more likely a labeller of merchandise out of a factory in Shenzen) and you need to replace all of them so they match. Rinse and repeat.
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### Author:  [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2023, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/15 "2023-08-09T08:50:10Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#):
>
> The problem with these is that eventually they die and you have to replace the whole fixture
There may be some that have non-replaceable bulbs. Although my car’s headlamps are like that. I have never seen domestic or commercial light fittings where the bulbs can’t be replaced. They may exist, but I doubt they would sell too well.
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### Author:  [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2023, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/16 "2023-08-09T10:29:29Z")
> [@bob\_2](#):
>
> They may exist, but I doubt they would sell too well.
At least in North America, many of the newer fixtures have an integrated LED bulb and they sell plenty of them. I expect it’s the same elsewhere.
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>
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### Author:  [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2023, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/17 "2023-08-09T11:07:00Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#):
>
> Is there an easy way to explain the difference so I can decide what I need?
Well, about 4 years ago, our district replaced its standard fluorescent light system with LED lighting, and everything was taken out. They couldn’t simply replace one kind of tube with another. It’s worth it, though. It’s vastly cheaper, and the lighting is markedly brighter.
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### Author:  [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2023, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/18 "2023-08-09T13:03:18Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#):
>
> At least in North America, many of the newer fixtures have an integrated LED bulb and they sell plenty of them. I expect it’s the same elsewhere.
It may apply to specialist decorative fixtures like the one you linked to, but they would not normally be fitted in a commercial environment. It’s easy to find fittings complete with tube or bulb which would be suitable.
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### Author:  [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-led-fluorescent-bulb-replacements-to-me/988213/19 "2023-08-16T04:30:27Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#):
>
> As I understand it, some replacements plug right in and some require bypassing the ballast. I checked out a few websites but, honestly, I’m more confused than when I started.
Its recommended to take the ballast out of the circuit, its a simple cabling fix. the ballast can just sit there in the light fitting for posterity. … Once you take it out of the circuit, the fitting cannot be used for flouro tubes though. You don’t have to take it out of the circuit either. Its just going to sit there doing nothing. The mains voltage is going to be applied to the tube either way.
Its the starter which must be taken out of the circuit , which can be done with a null (short circuit ) LED starter.