Effiency of modern tube fluorescents

Homeownerinburb · Oct 9, 2012

I'm looking for a good on-line reference to compare older fluorescent to newer.

Specifically I am looking to describe how inefficient old 8' T12 single pin tubes are compared to modern 4' T8s, or whatever else could be swapped in.

Chad Schloss · Oct 9, 2012

maybe this would help?

http://www.ehow.com/info_10015228_t12-fluorescent-vs-t8-fluorescent.html

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Homeownerinburb · Oct 10, 2012

Chad Schloss said:
maybe this would help?

http://www.ehow.com/info_10015228_t12-fluorescent-vs-t8-fluorescent.html

Thanks, that looks a good start, although I was looking for something a little more cut and dried.

Still, a good start.

Jimbo · Oct 10, 2012

Go to philips.com or sylvania.com, look for the online general catlog. Lots of info . But the watts tell the story.
Comparing 4 footers.....tyically F40T12 40 watts. Some of the watts consumed by the filament in the rapid start bulbs. T8 bulb...typical was f32T8...32 watts, yielding approx. same lumens as a 40 watt t12. That is a 20% savings, plus often a more efficient ballast. Nowadays, you can get a 28 watt or even 25 watt 4'T8, with almost same lumens. That is significant. And the newest, T5, are even more efficient.

Jadnashua · Oct 10, 2012

The quantity and type of florescent phosphers make a big difference in the light quality, quantity, and longevity.

hj · Oct 10, 2012

To address the original question, if the phraseology is correct, an 48" bulb of any kind will not "swap" with a 96" one.

Jimbo · Oct 10, 2012

hj said:
To address the original question, if the phraseology is correct, an 48" bulb of any kind will not "swap" with a 96" one.

Really????? I was just using 48s as an example, because I did not have the details for the 96" at my fingertips!

Homeownerinburb · Oct 10, 2012

hj said:
To address the original question, if the phraseology is correct, an 48" bulb of any kind will not "swap" with a 96" one.

Yes. Thanks. I might never have figured that one out.

My expectation is to remove all the equipment and replace it with new. So a three tube T12 8', with old ballasts, replaced by an 8' fixture with 4 4' tubes, T8s.

Nearly the same lumens? Many less watts? I have seen 40% savings cited, sounds pretty attractive.

I was looking today at some 8' T5 with four 4' tubes, way high output. Amazing output, but a bit power hungry.

Jadnashua · Oct 11, 2012

This is a guess, but to charge the entire length of an 8' tube probably isn't as efficient as doing the same for a 4' tube, so two 4' tubes may end up having higher lumen output, but at higher parasitic losses. What the balance is on this, I don't know.

Jimbo · Oct 11, 2012

All three types of bulbs mentioned...T5,8,12 are available as "regular", HO (high output) and VHO (very high output.) The latter are often found in outdoor lighting, sighage, etc and not commonly used indoors. Factors such as cost and inconvenience and $$$ of inventorying 8' bulbs might suggest using an 8 foot fixture which is actually 2 4 footers. Such fixture are commonly available.

Effiency of modern tube fluorescents

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