Replace T8 30W flourescent tubes with LED

coylemj

I have two fluorescent tubes above my kitchen worktop, the current bulbs are Philips TLD-80 900mm 30W/830. Both lights are switched on from a single switch. There doesn't appear to be any additional electrical gear in the voids (left and right of the hob) above the worktop, just the bulb holders. And there is a starter in each unit.

Can I replace my current bulbs with these lads - they are rated at 10W and are described as a replacement for 30W T8 which is what I currently have. The existing bulbs are 830 'Warm White' while the ones I'm looking at are 840 which is 'Cool White'.

https://www.eurosales.ie/products/led-tube-t8-em-value-900-mm-10w-840-replaces-30w-t8-led3084.html

What does 'EM' means in this context? Do I need EM because my bulb units have starters and if there was no starters, would I be buying bulbs described as 'Mains' instead?

10-10-20

EM is electromagnetic.

Have a look at the extended installation guide, specifically the chart on p4 which tells you which bulb to pick.

https://www.ledvance.com/en-int/professional-lighting/products/lamps/led-tubes/led-tubes-for-t8/led-tubes-for-electromagnetic-control-gear-ccg-and-ac-mains/economic-led-tubes-for-electromagnetic-control-gear-ccg-and-ac-mains-c356588?productId=337991

Hope it helps!

coylemj

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123837429#Comment_123837429

Thanks 10-10-20. So it says that if I have a starter, my gear is 'CCG Luminaire' and I need either an LED Tube EM or an LED Universal. And the bulbs I'm looking at are described as 'EM' so they look like they're compatible.

Next question: do I need to change the starters i.e. do I need to swap out the existing starters and install LED starters?

Edit: LED starters in screwfix are priced at €1.35 each and that document says the LED bulb will flash if I leave the old starter in place so I will buy LED starters.

10-10-20

Yep, install LED starters as per 2.1 of that same PDF.

coylemj

All done. The big difference is that there is a no flickering when you switch on LED tubes.

A point to note for anyone doing this upgrade - the LED tubes I bought in screwfix came with LED starters. Not knowing this, I separately bought two starters at €1.35 each so no big deal and I now have a couple of spares! Looking back at the product page on the screwfix website, I see that an 'LED Driver' is included, I missed that. Is that what they call a starter in GB?

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123850093#Comment_123850093

Great!

An LED driver is usually a power supply (constant current or constant voltage type specifically for LED) actually. A starter is usually that little puck device on the side of the fitting.