A plug and play LED is a fixture where you can install LED bulbs to what was once a fluorescent bulb. This is an easy solution and requires minimal effort on your part. Since it works with the existing ballast, there is no need for rewiring or ballast removal.
Can you use LED bulbs with a ballast?
No LED bulbs require a ballast, although some are engineered to work with an existing ballast. You will find ballast-compatible or “plug-and-play” LEDs that are designed to replace linear fluorescents, compact fluorescents, or HIDs.
Can plug and play LED bulbs be used without a ballast?
Plug-and-play T8 LED pros and cons (UL type A)
The lamp snaps into the existing fixture without any wiring modifications, meaning installation can be done by virtually anyone, as long as your existing ballast is compatible.
What happens if you use an LED with ballast?
Unlike fluorescent tubes, LEDs don’t require a ballast to regulate current. When using direct fit LEDs, the ballast is still using energy and eating into your possible energy savings. With a ballast bypass, you are only paying for the energy the LED lights use, which is up to 70% less than traditional bulbs!
Can you put LED bulbs in fluorescent ballast?
Many LED tubes are “plug and play”, meaning you can just install them like you would a fluorescent bulb. For this to be true, look for bulbs that are “ballast-compatible” meaning that they can use the ballast already installed in your fluorescent fixture to power the LEDs.
Can I bypass the ballast for LED lights?
Since LED lights work on low DC voltage, they need a driver. Most T8 LED tubes do not need a ballast. So, if you are going to install a T8 LED tube light, it will require a ballast bypass unless you choose a ballast compatible T8 LED tube.
Can I replace my fluorescent tubes with LED?
Yes, you can replace fluorescent tubes with LED tubes or LED-integrated fixtures. If you just want to replace the bulbs, you can use plug-and-play, direct-wire, or hybrid LED tubes.
Will LED tubes work in fluorescent fixtures?
Type A LED tubes have an internal driver that makes it possible for the lights to operate on existing fluorescent ballasts. They plug directly in place of the existing fluorescent lamp. Super-easy installation Just switch out the old fluorescent tubes for LEDs, and you’re done.
Are plug and play LED lights safe?
Safety. There are two safety concerns with plug-and-play LED bulbs and tubes.With plug-and-play T5 and T8 LED tubes, there is a different safety issue a risk of electrical shock. The problem is in what are called Type A LED tubes.
Why do you have to remove the ballast for LED lights?
A ballast regulates the current that’s coming at a lamp. It gives an initial burst just to get things going, then it makes sure the electric current is controlled and steady. Not getting the lamp’s shoes all wet. A ballast for Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights is not required instead a driver is required.
Is it safe to bypass a ballast?
Safety risk
The most significant negative to a ballast-bypass linear LED is the risk of electric shock since the sockets carry line voltage. It’s a common practice to place a finger on the lamp pins while you are trying to install it, and this becomes a risky endeavor when using single-ended ballast-bypass lamps .
Do LED fluorescent lights need a starter?
Conventional fluorescent tubes need a starter. This starter provides ignition voltage. Naturally, this isn’t necessary for LEDs, so the ignition voltage is superfluous. If you want to replace a traditional fluorescent bulb with an LED, then you must install a dummy starter or bypass the standard starter manually.
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