The T8 lamp has supplanted the T12 as the standard for fluorescent lighting fixtures. Lamps are the fluorescent equivalent of incandescent light bulbs. Does this Spark an idea?
Tube Diameter
The "T" number is the diameter of the lamp, measured in eighths of an inch. So a T8 lamp is 1 inch in diameter, while a T12 lamp is 1.5 inches.
Efficiency
The narrower a fluorescent lamp, the more energy efficient it is. Replacing T12 lamp systems with T8 systems can produce energy savings of up to 40 percent, according to lamp manufacturer Universal Lighting Technologies.
Brightness
The difference in light output between T8 and T12 lamps of equal size and comparable wattage is all but indistinguishable to the eye. However, the T8 uses less power to produce light.
Compatability
T8 lamps and ballasts--the transformer that moderates the current to the lamp--are designed to fit in the same fixtures as those for T12s.
Cost
As of early 2010, there was little cost difference between the two types of lamps, but that will change as manufacturers phase out T12 technology. The National Lighting Bureau, a consortium of manufacturers, considers the technology outdated.
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