LED Tube Lights

The main difference between Type A vs Type B LED tubes is in how they interact with the fluorescent fixture’s ballast. A Type A LED tube is designed to work with the existing ballast, making installation easy. These Type A LED tubes are also known as direct replacement LED tubes and commonly referred to as plug and play LED tubes, since they require no rewiring.

In contrast, Type B LED tubes, often referred to as ballast bypass LED tubes, directly wire to power, without the need for ballast. While Type A direct wire LED tubes are often chosen for quick retrofits, Type B LED ballast bypass is favored in applications seeking long-term savings. For the ultimate in flexibility, a third option called a dual mode LED tube, can work with the existing ballast initially and bypass the ballast later if the ballast fails. Type AB LED lights a versatile solution for phased upgrades or situations where maintenance access is limited.

Yes, you can replace fluorescent light with LED, and the best choice for most retrofits is using dual mode LED tubes also known as hybrid lights. These offer the flexibility to replace fluorescent tubes with LED using either the existing ballast or a direct connection, making them ideal for any setup. If your current fixture has a working ballast, hybrid tubes function like a Type A LED tube, but if the ballast fails later, they can still operate as Type B LED tubes once rewired. This ensures your tube LED lights stay reliable long-term without needing to replace the fixture entirely. NuWatt is one of the leading brands pioneering hybrid LED tubes technology, offering reliable T8 and T5 solutions for both ballast-compatible and ballast-bypass applications.

Yes, fluorescent to LED conversion is usually well worth it for most applications. To convert fluorescent light to LED, you only need in some cases to switch out the bulb. A LED replacement for fluorescent tubes lasts 30,000 to 50,000 hours compared to 10,000–15,000 for fluorescents, meaning fewer replacements and lower maintenance costs over time. LED replacement for fluorescent tubes are also far more energy efficient, using up to 50% less power for the same or better brightness. In addition, an LED replacement for fluorescent fixtures produces very little heat, adding to safety and efficiency. The overall savings and performance benefits make upgrading fluorescent lights to LED a smart investment.

Whether single-ended or double-ended tubes are better depends on your needs and installation setup. Single ended LED tubes get power from just one side, which can make them safer to handle and slightly more energy efficient, but they usually require rewiring the fixture to supply electricity only to one end of the tube. Double ended LED tubes receive power from both ends and generally work with the existing fluorescent fixture wiring, making them quicker and easier to install. For most retrofit projects, double ended LED tubes are often the more convenient and cost effective choice for LED fluorescent tube replacement projects

The NuWatt line of fluorescent replacement LED light tubes stands out for its convenience, wide variety, versatility, and quality. Whether you need a T5 bulb or a T8 bulb, a 4 ft LED tube light for commercial spaces or 8 foot LED tube lights for industrial spaces, or even a warmer 3000K color temperature LED to replace fluorescent tubes, NuWatt has you covered. All our LED tubes are dual mode and double ended, making installation easy as unplugging old fluorescent lighting and plugging in new retrofit LED tubes. Built to last, NuWatt tubes are shatter resistant, adding an extra layer of safety in high traffic or industrial environments. NuWatt fluorescent light LED replacement tubes also deliver impressive brightness, with a lumen output of 5500 on some T8 bulbs, providing crisp, clear light that improves visibility and efficiency in any setting.