t-5 or t-8's.... or something else

[seabass]

finishing up a 40X50 and need some lighting ideas... 8'? t-5 or t-8? or is there something better?

 

[ket-tek]

t-5's are better suited for high bay installations and cost a bit more than t-8 for both fixtures and bulbs. T12's were popular 8' lengths, these days it's moving to mostly all 4' bulbs, t-8 bulbs @ 32w ea and t-5 bulbs @ 54w ea

What's you ceiling height? 15'+ go highbay t-5 fixtures, (highbay fixtures are also available in t-8). Or some would go metal halide or standard high pressure sodium hanging lamps @ typically 250w-1000w ea.

Below 15' t-8's will be much more cost effective and offer plenty of light.

At 40x50 I somewhat assume the ceiling is quite high.

 

[bill9860]

used a dozen T5 2 light 4' fixtures in my 26'w x 28'L Those who have seen it think the lighting is great. T5's would be way to go for 12'. My ceiling is mostly 12.5' Higher, the other options discussed above may be better.

 

[rwhite692]

How high is the ceiling?

 

[luvair]

For ceiling height about 12', T8's are preferred as T5's may a cause reflection. Plus there is less heat generated.

 

[seabass]

14' walls.... is there a trick to figuring out how many lite fixtures I need?

 

[ket-tek]

14' walls.... is there a trick to figuring out how many lite fixtures I need?

More the better

Most people here seem to be shooting for about 1 to 1.5 foot candles per square ft.

I have 18 twin bulb 4' t8 fixtures for 36 bulbs in a 28x38x12 and it's great, but I am thinking seriously about adding another 12 fixtures / 24 bulbs on a separate switch bank.

There is free software by lithonia out there to help calculate the layout and output for your space. Alot of people here have used it to come up with the desired layout.

 

[seabass]

Thanks, Ill see what I can find out