Question about T-8 bulbs
- Thread starter Squidward
- Start date
If you use a T8 bulb on a T12 ballast you will shorten the life of the bulb as the T12 ballast will over "tax" the bulb. If you have a T8 ballast running a T12 bulb you will have premature ballast life as the t12 bulb takes more to run and will over work the ballast.
6768rogues
Banned
I have a 4 tube fixture in my kitchen that used T-12 bulbs. I bought a new 4 bulb T-8 ballast and new sockets that hold the bulbs, along with T-8 bulbs at the local big box store. Then I converted the fixture to T-8. Following the wiring diagram on the ballast was easy and they are wired more simply than T-12 lights.
You may not have to replace the bulb sockets but one of mine was broken and the others were old and weak. Not a big deal. We converted hundreds of T-12 fixtures to T-8 at the school where I used to work. If you have a decent fixture, it is less money than replacing the whole fixture. You should not just replace the bulbs.
You may not have to replace the bulb sockets but one of mine was broken and the others were old and weak. Not a big deal. We converted hundreds of T-12 fixtures to T-8 at the school where I used to work. If you have a decent fixture, it is less money than replacing the whole fixture. You should not just replace the bulbs.
Last edited:
Kevin C
Well-known member
Is it possible to use T-8 tubes in a light fixture that used T-12 tubes?
It depends on the fixture. A lot of fixtures use a dual rated ballast that will work with either bulb.
Older T12's, probably not (typically a magnetic ballast).
The only way to know for sure is to look at label on the fixture (It should say if its a dual rated fixture) or open the fixture up and check the ballast.