If you outfit your buildings with fluorescent, HID, or plug-and-play linear LED lighting, you depend on a device called a ballast.
Practical advice on commercial lighting from LED retrofits to lighting design.
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Topics: Lighting 101, FAQs, Ballast, Fluorescent light
Fluorescent lighting. You probably already have an idea of what it is. Maybe you even understand a little about how it works.
Topics: Lighting 101, Energy savings, Fluorescent light
How to read a light bulb part number: linear fluorescent tubes
Does reading a light bulb part number make your eyes want to cross or glaze over?
Just like languages, some light part numbers can be extremely hard to translate and understand. It doesn’t help that each manufacturer speaks a different dialect.
Topics: Lighting 101, CRI, Fluorescent light
What is a ballast factor and how does it affect fluorescent tubes?
Lighting products are full of specifications. Some of them impact the overall performance of the lighting system, and some of them make a significant impact on light levels, color, or energy consumption.
When it comes to ballasts, do you know what to look for? Ballast factor is one of those often overlooked or misunderstood specs that can make a big difference in your linear fluorescent lighting system.
In this article, we’re answering three key questions related to ballast factor. You can click on the questions to jump ahead to the section.
Topics: Energy efficiency, Ballast, Fluorescent light
Why you shouldn't use those fluorescent tubes before upgrading to LED [Calculator]
If you operate a large facility, you probably keep stock of fluorescent tubes so you can promptly replace any failed bulbs. Often times, we talk to customers who want to use up their existing fluorescent tube stock before they move forward with an LED upgrade.
This had us curious. What's the cost of waiting to switch to LED?
Topics: Energy savings, Fluorescent light, LED retrofit
Fluorescent tubes: A brief overview of the different lamp types and sizes
You might not realize it, but you interact with fluorescent lighting every day. Whether it’s in the office building or grocery store, fluorescent lamps are probably the most popular type of lighting.
Topics: Hotel lighting, Fluorescent light, Commercial office lighting
Have you ever heard a light bulb buzz?
Technically, no. The buzzing you hear is coming from the ballast, not the bulb itself.
Nerdy lighting technicalities, I know. Ballasts, light bulbs – it's all the same, isn't it?
Topics: Lighting 101, Ballast, Fluorescent light
T12 fluorescent tubes are hard to come by these days, but that's not to say they've disappeared entirely.
The tubes began to be phased out in mid-2012, which we wrote about at length in our post, "The phase out of T12s: Everything you need to know about discontinued tubes."
But if you still have T12s in your sockets and you're looking to save money on lighting in the next year, there are a
Topics: LED, Energy efficiency, Parking Garage Lighting, T12, Fluorescent light, Commercial office lighting
Linear LED tubes have become more competitive over the years, and with that comes more options than ever. So, if you’re operating with discontinued T12 fluorescent tubes, you’re probably beginning to weigh the options for a retrofit.
But in the sea of choices, how do you know what the right product is and where to buy it?
Topics: LED, Parking Garage Lighting, T12, Fluorescent light, Commercial office lighting
Converting T12s to LED: Here are your replacement options
Can you actually retrofit T12 to LED without changing out the ballast?
Right now, no. But don’t be discouraged. There are other LED solutions if you’re looking for a high-efficiency lighting option for existing T12s.
Topics: LED, T12, Fluorescent light