ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area T-5 fluorescent light fixture

Is anyone familiar with a T-5 flourescent light fixture. We usually install light fixtures with T-8 lamps and electronic ballast.
(Frank) cinkerf

must be a small lamp, they measure them by 8ths of an inch......T 12 would be 12 8ths so a T 12 is 1.5 inches in diameter.
a T 8 lamp would be 1 inch in diameter.
given that, a T 5 would be 5/8 of an inch in diameter, thats about all I know. you can get the information in a lamp catalog I think , sorry I can't give you better information.

Frank,

I usually see them in undercounter lighting in short lengths. Say to 12" to 24" I take it that's not what you mean though. I have not seen any Ceiling type fixtures with these lamps.

Bill,
The fourth floor of our City Hall Building will be renovated this year. Our Engineering Dept. Project Manager intends to use new "energy efficient T-5 lamp fluorescent fixtures in keeping with Act 29-General Energy Savings Program" (2'x4'lay in type). My opinion on these fixtures is requested. We normally use the T-8 type. I'm attempting to gather information on the T-5 type so I can be more familiar with it.

(Frank) cinkerf

I figured that you were referring to a fixture of that type. I have not seen any as yet. I wonder what it's like handling a 4 foot T-5 Bulb? I know people that can't even seem to handle the T-12s without breaking some when they relamp. They must make the glass a little thicker for more strength. (I would Hope)

Bill

I've seen T-5 lamps used with retrofit kits for energy savings. They replace the 2 ballasts and 4 lamps in a normal fixture with one ballast, 3 T-5's and a silver reflector shield.

I have used T-5 lamps in a multitude of undercounter fixtures, and in some troffer fixtures. These in the T-Bar fixtures are more known as PL type lamps. They come in T-5 and T-3 configurations.

The ballasts are typically electronic [High Frequency - High Power Factor], but can also be the typical magnetic [reactor core] ballast, used with electronic circuitry to form what is called a Hybrid type ballast.

Lots of compact fluorescent lamps are T-3 size.

It, of course, seems somewhat small- however when I first saw T-8 lamps being used in Commercial projects [circa 1993], it was very strange. Now it is strange to see a T-12 lamp anywhere When I see one, they just look odd!

See everyone in a week, or so.

Scott.