THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TYPE A, TYPE B, TYPE C AND TYPE AB LED TUBE LIGHTS
As more and more people make the switch to LED, LED Tubes and the different types that they are available in can be confusing. In order to make sure you get the best suited type for your project, remember the following:
Type A LED Tube Lights
These LED Tubes exist to be direct replacements for fluorescent tubes. They are what ‘s known as ‘plug and play’ which means that they connect directly to the pre-existing ballast. Because of this they are the easiest and often cheapest replacement. Unfortunately, when a Type A LED tube is connected to a pre-existing ballast there is no guarantee on how long/if it will work with the specific ballast. If the ballast fails, the tube will not work.
Type B LED Tube Lights
These LED Tubes exist to bypass the ballast entirely. They are more energy efficient as they do not rely on the ballast and are wired directly to the power source. They are also considered to be more cost efficient per tube than other types of LED tubes and there is no need to worry about the ballast potentially failing because the ballast has been entirely bypassed. They are however, more dangerous, since they require rewiring, an electrician is usually required to do the work.
Type A/B LED Tube Lights
These LED Tubes exist to be both ‘plug and play’ and ballast bypass. They can start out as Type A and then if/when the ballast fails, the tube can be converted to Type B. These types of LED tube lights offer significant flexibility when it comes to options provided however, if they the tube starts off as Type A and then the ballast fails, rewiring will still be necessary in order to make the tube into one that will bypass the ballast.
Type C LED Tube Lights
These LED Tubes exist to not rely on direct line voltage, or a ballast. They connect to an external driver. They are able to offer high efficiency, light output and lifespan because they use a driver designed specifically for the LED Tube. They are also able to offer dimming and smart control options however they do require complex rewiring as the ballast needs to be removed and replaced with a driver, a professional may be needed.
Conclusion
The best LED Tube Light type will vary depending on what the end goal of your application is. There are pros and cons for each type but by understanding the different types, you can make an informed decision about which LED Tube Light type is the best fit for you.
