T8 fluorescent bulbs are just as bright as the t12 and much more economical.
T8 t12 bulbs difference.
T8 lamps have a 1 inch diameter and t12 lamps are 1 5 inches in diameter.
Although brightness is basically the same less energy is used by the t8.
The t12 runs on a magnetic ballast and a t8 operates on an electronic ballast.
Typical diameters are t12 or t38 1 1 2 in or 38 mm for residential lamps with magnetic ballasts t8 or t26 1 in or 25 mm for commercial energy saving lamps with electronic ballasts and t5 or t16 5 8 in or 16 mm for very small lamps which may even operate from a battery powered device.
Fluorescent lamps or fluorescent linear tubes as they are also known are categorized according to their wattage shape and diameter.
The t12 is 1 5 inches in diameter and the t8 is 1 inch in diameter.
For example a typical t5 bulb is 46 inches long rather than the 48 inches 4 foot of t8 and t12 bulbs.
T8 and t12 both feature the same g13 bi pin connector.
The t8 tubes are slightly smaller at 1 inch in diameter compared to the 1 5 inch diameter of t12 tubes.
Both lamps use the same bi pin base meaning that users can fit t8 lamps into sockets designed for t12 lamps.
A t12 lamp measures 1 5 inches 12 8 1 5 or 3 81 cm while a t8 lamp measures 1 inch 8 8 1 or 2 54 cm in diameter.
T8 bulbs have a luminous efficacy of 80lm w making them a step up from the 70lm w of t12 bulbs.
A 48 inch t8 lamp produces 2 600 design lumens using 32 watts while the same size t12 lamp produces 2 520 design lumens using 40 watts.
Difference between t5 t8 t12 tubes what is the difference between t5 t8 and t12 lamps.
T8 tubes are simply 1 inch in diameter versus the 1 5 inch diameter of t12 tubes.
In an effort to make led tube lights compatible with the internal dimensions of most fixtures you will find that most led tube lights feature a t8 or 1 inch diameter.
The t8 models cost almost half of the t12.
Conversion kits are available with a ballast allowing t5 bulbs to fit t8 and t12 fixtures.
T8 fluorescent bulbs are one inch in diameter and feature a medium bi pin base similar to the t12 bulbs.
A more popular choice for fluorescent lighting are the second generation t8 bulbs.
In short the difference between t5 t8 and t12 lights are the sizes and energy efficiency.
As we describe in our how to article t8 and t12 feature the same g13 bi pin connector.
T5 bulbs save money over time because of a longer lifespan while producing more light with less wattage.
The t in t5 indicates the bulb is tubular shaped while the 5 denotes that it is five eighths of an inch in diameter.
T8 lighting tends to be more expensive and have a shorter lifespan of around 15 000 hours.
Due to high power consumption the world is slowly moving away from t12 lamps.
