TL T5

The Need for Change: EU Phase-Out of Traditional T5 Fluorescent Tubes

In accordance with the European Ecodesign Directive and strict mercury regulations for lighting products, the production and import of traditional T5 fluorescent lamps has gradually been phased out. As of September 2023, most conventional T5 fluorescent tubes are no longer available as new products within the European Union. This measure encourages the transition to more sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternatives, with LED T5 tubes becoming the most logical and cost-effective choice.

Why Switch to LED T5 Tubes? The Benefits

Switching from traditional T5 fluorescent tubes to LED T5 tubes offers a wide range of benefits, both financially and operationally. These modern light sources are not just replacements; they represent a significant upgrade for your lighting installation.

• Exceptional energy savings: LED T5 tubes use up to 70% less energy than their conventional counterparts, resulting in a drastic reduction in your energy bill. This saving contributes directly to a rapid payback of your investment.
• Significantly longer lifespan: Where a traditional T5 lamp typically lasts 15,000 to 20,000 hours, LED T5 tubes excel with lifespans of 50,000 hours or more. This minimizes replacement frequency, reduces maintenance costs, and decreases operational disruptions.
• Instant and stable light output: LED T5 tubes provide 100% of their light output immediately upon being turned on, with no warm-up time or bothersome flickering. This ensures a more comfortable working environment and prevents eye fatigue or headaches.
• Environmentally friendly and safe: Unlike fluorescent lamps, LED T5 tubes contain no mercury or other harmful substances. This makes them safer to use and simplifies the recycling process, contributing to a healthier planet.
• Improved light quality and versatility: Modern LED T5 tubes offer a high Color Rendering Index (CRI > 80), ensuring true-to-life color reproduction. Moreover, they are available in various color temperatures (Kelvin), from warm white for ambiance to cool white and daylight white for functional applications, and are often dimmable.

Lengths and Replacement Wattages

T5 fluorescent tubes are available in specific lengths, which correspond to their wattage. When switching to LED T5, it is important to select the correct length and corresponding replacement wattage. Although the LED variant itself has a lower wattage, it still offers the same or even higher light output compared to the traditional lamp it replaces.

The most common T5 fluorescent tube lengths and their typical LED replacements are shown in the following table:

Installing an LED T5 Tube: Quick and Easy

Replacing your existing T5 fluorescent tubes with energy-efficient LED T5 versions is a particularly user-friendly process. Since traditional T5 lamps already operate with an HF (high-frequency) electronic ballast, most LED T5 tubes are designed as a direct 1-to-1 replacement. This means you usually don’t need to modify your fixture.

Follow these steps for safe and fast installation:

1. Turn off the power: Before starting, it is crucial to completely switch off the power supply to the fixture using the main switch in your electrical panel. Safety comes first.
2. Remove the old T5 fluorescent tube: Gently rotate the existing T5 fluorescent tube a quarter turn to release it from the G5 sockets. Then carefully pull the tube out of the fixture.
3. Insert the new LED T5 tube: Align the pins of the new LED T5 tube with the slots in the G5 sockets of the fixture. Push the tube into the sockets and then turn it a quarter turn until you feel it is firmly in place.
4. Restore the power: Once the LED T5 tube is correctly installed, you can switch the power supply back on. Your new LED lighting will immediately illuminate at full strength, with no delay.

Essential Technical Specifications of LED T5 Tubes

Besides length and wattage, there are several crucial technical parameters that determine the performance and suitability of an LED T5 tube. Taking these into account will help you choose the optimal lighting for your specific needs.

• Luminous output (Lumens): The lumen value (lm) indicates how bright a lamp is. The higher the lumens, the more light the tube produces. For general office lighting, a higher lumen value is often recommended, while a lower value suffices for atmospheric purposes.
• Light color (Kelvin): The color temperature, expressed in Kelvin (K), determines the ambiance of the light.
  • 3000 Kelvin (Warm White): Creates a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, ideal for general areas such as hallways, changing rooms, waiting rooms, or canteens.
  • 4000 Kelvin (Cool White): This is a functional, bright light color that promotes concentration. Extremely suitable for offices, schools, meeting rooms, and showrooms.
  • 6500 Kelvin (Daylight White): Mimics natural daylight and is ideal for spaces where detail and precision are important, such as laboratories, workshops, or printing facilities.
• Color Rendering Index (CRI): The CRI indicates how accurately colors are rendered under the lamp's light (on a scale of 0–100). For most applications, a CRI of 80 or higher is recommended, providing realistic color perception.
• Dimmable options: Not all LED T5 tubes are dimmable. If you wish to adjust the light intensity, specifically select dimmable models and check compatibility with your dimmer system.
• Lifespan: Although already mentioned, it's important to note that the long lifespan of LED T5 tubes (up to 50,000 hours) is a key advantage. This means years of hassle-free use.

Complex Technical Concepts: The Right LED T5 for Your HF Ballast

The term 'plug-and-play' for LED T5 tubes applies in most cases thanks to compatibility with the existing electronic (HF) ballast. This is one reason why the transition from T5 to LED is often easier than with T8, where there is also a conventional (EM) ballast and starter variant. However, there are nuances.

Some advanced LED T5 tubes are also designed for 'mains-only' operation, meaning the ballast must be bypassed or removed, and the lamp is connected directly to the mains (230V). This can result in even greater efficiency but does require rewiring the fixture. Always carefully read the product specifications to determine whether the LED T5 tube is suitable for your type of ballast, or if direct wiring is required/possible. If in doubt, it is advisable to consult a certified electrician.

The Right Choice for the Future: LED T5

The phase-out of traditional T5 fluorescent tubes marks the end of an era while simultaneously opening the door to a more efficient, sustainable, and reliable lighting solution with LED T5 tubes. By investing in this modern technology, you immediately benefit from significant energy savings, minimal maintenance costs, and improved light quality. The simple installation makes switching to LED T5 a smart and practical choice for any business or institution aiming to lead in sustainability and efficiency. Many companies have already made this transition successfully and are seeing a positive impact on their operations.