T8 & T5 LED Tube Conversion Guide
Replacing fluorescent tubes with LED comes down to one question: Type A, Type B, or A+B. Here is what each means, how the wiring differs, and the right DLC-listed tube for your fixtures.
Start Here
Type A, Type B, or A+B?
Every fluorescent-to-LED tube conversion is one of these three. The difference is what you do with the old ballast.
Keep the existing fluorescent ballast and just swap the tube. The tube's driver is built to run off the old ballast.
Remove or bypass the ballast and wire line voltage straight to the sockets. No ballast in the circuit at all.
Works both ways: run it on the ballast today, then bypass later when that ballast dies. One tube covers both paths.
Ballast bypass wiring: single-ended vs double-ended
Type B tubes are wired one of two ways. Know which before you order sockets.
Single-ended
Both line and neutral land on one end of the tube; the other end just holds it in place. This requires non-shunted sockets on the powered end, so you often replace the tombstones on that side.
Double-ended
Line goes to one end and neutral to the other. It works with most existing sockets, but both ends carry voltage during service. Our 4ft T8 Type B supports single-ended and double-ended wiring.
Safety first. Type B is line-voltage work. Always follow the tube's own wiring diagram, have a licensed electrician do the conversion to NEC and local code, and label the fixture as ballast-bypassed. When in doubt, a Type A or A+B tube avoids rewiring entirely.
The Lineup
LED tubes for every conversion
All 120-277V, backed by a 5-year warranty, and shipped from US inventory.
T8 Type A+B, 4ft
10-24W selectable · G13 bi-pin · multi-CCT · ETL + DLC 5.1
Best if you want one tube that works on the ballast now and bypassed later
from $5.46
Shop the T8 Type A+B tube
Type B
T8 Type B, 4ft
10-24W selectable · G13 bi-pin · single/double-ended · ETL + DLC 5.1
Best for full bypass retrofits at the lowest energy use
from $4.90
Shop the T8 Type B tube
Glass
T8 Glass, 4ft
15/18W · G13 bi-pin · milky or clear · UL listed
Best when you want the look and light spread of a real glass tube
from $3.33
Shop the T8 glass tube
8 foot
8ft T8, FA8 & R17D
40W · FA8 single-pin or R17D recessed · milky/clear · ETL + DLC 5.1
Best for high-bay, warehouse and shop 8-foot fixtures
from $11.20
Shop the 8ft T8 tube
T5
T5 Bypass, 4ft
24W · G5 mini bi-pin · 150+ lm/W · 180° beam · UL listed
Best for replacing 4ft T5 fluorescent tubes with maximum efficacy
from $8.12
Shop the T5 bypass tube
DLC-listed models (T8 A+B, T8 Type B, 8ft) may qualify for utility rebates. Check your utility rebate eligibility.
Tube comparison
| Spec | T8 Type A+B | T8 Type B | T8 Glass | 8ft T8 | T5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Install type | Ballast-compat or bypass | Bypass (1E/2E) | Bypass | Bypass | Bypass |
| Base | G13 bi-pin | G13 bi-pin | G13 bi-pin | FA8 or R17D | G5 mini bi-pin |
| Wattage | 10-24W sel. | 10-24W sel. | 15 / 18W | 40W | 24W |
| Length | 4 ft | 4 ft | 4 ft | 8 ft | 4 ft |
| Cover / CCT | Frosted, multi-CCT | Frosted, multi-CCT | Milky/clear, 5000K | Milky/clear, 4000/5000K | Frosted, 4000/5000K |
| Voltage | 120-277V | 120-277V | 120-277V | 120-277V | 120-277V |
| Listing | ETL + DLC 5.1 | ETL + DLC 5.1 | UL | ETL + DLC 5.1 | UL |
| Rebate-eligible | Yes (DLC) | Yes (DLC) | Check locally | Yes (DLC) | Check locally |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Price | from $5.46 | from $4.90 | from $3.33 | from $11.20 | from $8.12 |
Why convert at all?
Roughly 55 to 65% less energy per tube, plus no more ballast replacements.
Compared with a typical 32W fluorescent tube on a ballast (about 36W system). Actual savings depend on the wattage you select and your run hours.
Why Go Green LED
Backed for commercial retrofits
Manufacturing commercial and industrial LED since 2004. Our tubes are ETL or UL listed, the T8 line is DLC 5.1 for rebate eligibility, all run 120-277V, and every tube carries a 5-year warranty and ships from US inventory.
