Replacing traditional fluorescent tubes with LED tubes saves up to 65% energy and provides instant, full light without flickering. But how do you go about this? There are different types of LED tubes, and not every tube works in every fixture. Follow these steps for a safe and successful installation.
Step 1: Determine what type of fixture you have
First, examine your current fluorescent fixture. Most fixtures have either a conventional ballast or an electronic ballast. You can recognize a conventional ballast by its starter: a small, cylindrical component that you can unscrew. Electronic ballasts don't have a starter. This distinction is important because there are different types of LED fluorescent tubes: with ballast (plug and play), without ballast (direct 230V connection), and hybrid tubes that can handle both.
Step 2: choose the right LED TL tube
For fixtures with a conventional ballast and starter, you can opt for plug-and-play LED fluorescent tubes. These are replaced by simply replacing the starter with an LED starter and the old tube with the LED tube. No modifications are required. For fixtures with an electronic ballast, or if you want to remove the ballast, choose 230V LED fluorescent tubes. These connect directly to the mains after removing the ballast. Hybrid LED fluorescent tubes work in both situations and offer you flexibility.
Step 3: Turn off the power and remove the old tube
Safety first: turn off the circuit breaker at the meter box before you begin. Use a voltage tester to ensure there's no power. Remove the old fluorescent tube by giving it a quarter turn and pulling it out of the socket. Wear gloves, as old fluorescent tubes can have sharp edges. Store old fluorescent tubes separately for disposal in the small chemical waste collection system; they do not belong with regular glass.
Step 4: Install the LED TL tube
For plug-and-play LED tubes: replace the old starter with the supplied LED starter, insert the LED tube into the socket, and tighten it a quarter turn. Done. For 230V LED tubes: remove the ballast by disconnecting the wiring, connect the LED tube directly to the 230V power supply according to the supplied wiring diagram (usually brown and blue on one side, with the other side unconnected), and insert the tube into the socket. Turn the power back on and test if everything works. LED tubes provide full light immediately without heating up.
Advantages of LED fluorescent tubes
LED fluorescent tubes consume 50-65% less energy than traditional fluorescent tubes for the same light output. They last 3-5 times longer (up to 50,000 hours), contain no mercury, and produce no flickering or humming. The light is more stable and easier on the eyes. You'll save not only on energy costs but also on maintenance costs thanks to their long lifespan. For workshops, garages, offices, and commercial spaces, switching to LED fluorescent tubes is a smart investment that pays for itself within 1-2 years.
