Any Electricians out there? change fluorescent tubes to LED tubes.

covid1956

I want to change my fluorescent tubes to LED tubes.
Is it as easy as buy the correct size tubes replace the starter with an LED starter ?
Probably not as i have watched a number of you tube videos which mention "breakers, tombstones.etc etc
My current tubes are 72cm F16W / 840 T8 COOL WHITE.
The tubes are single tubes under the kitchen cabinets and have cables connected at each end of the tubes
Any help would be great thanks

Covid

TadleyBaggie

It really is just that easy, just ensure you get the right length.

Heedtheadvice

Please be aware that the fluorescent tubes fitted probably contain Mercury which is very toxic. Do not smashe them, dispose of them whole at a licenced site. That could well be your council refuse centre. Check prior to disposal as some do and some don't have the sealed disposal containers on their site.

You do not need starters for led tubes.

TadleyBaggie

Heedtheadvice said:

You do not need starters for led tubes.

The ones I have installed came with dummy starters to plug the hole.

cerebus

You would be better off posting on diynot.com plenty of actual electricians on there giving excellent advice (for free)

Probably going to be a lot of these type of questions from now on seeing as the government banned fluorescent tubes late last year and when people go to change tubes they realise they can't find any!

bob_a_builder

Here are the instructions that come with a LED tube 
if you're existing fitting has a 'starter' then yes it is very straight forward simple job
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LTT418W.html

Rodders53

Depends entirely on the luminaire or fitting and the ballast therein.  If old fashioned inductor ballast with separate plug in starter it is easy.

Electronic ballast with built in starter then the fitting needs rewired.

Some can diy that rewire, others would need a sparky to do it.

May be as easy to replace with a new led luminaire in that case?  But some would need a sparky to do that also.

NB little to no energy saving to be made.  It is the environmental impact of mercury content that means we cannot use fluorescent tubes any more.

So it all depends on your degree of electrical competence...  and the exact fitting you have.

Farway

Rodders53 said:

Depends entirely on the luminaire or fitting and the ballast therein.  If old fashioned inductor ballast with separate plug in starter it is easy.

Electronic ballast with built in starter then the fitting needs rewired.

Some can diy that rewire, others would need a sparky to do it.

May be as easy to replace with a new led luminaire in that case?  But some would need a sparky to do that also.

NB little to no energy saving to be made.  It is the environmental impact of mercury content that means we cannot use fluorescent tubes any more.

So it all depends on your degree of electrical competence...  and the exact fitting you have.

In a single domestic setting maybe, but even so there is energy saving to be had. Maybe for cost of new tube etc not worthwhile in a domestic setting unless requiring a replacement tube anyway.

TELLIT01

I've recently purchased an LED replacement for flourescent and that did come with a 'starter'.  Simply remove the old tube and starter and fit the replacements.

cerebus

Farway said:

Rodders53 said:

Depends entirely on the luminaire or fitting and the ballast therein.  If old fashioned inductor ballast with separate plug in starter it is easy.

Electronic ballast with built in starter then the fitting needs rewired.

Some can diy that rewire, others would need a sparky to do it.

May be as easy to replace with a new led luminaire in that case?  But some would need a sparky to do that also.

NB little to no energy saving to be made.  It is the environmental impact of mercury content that means we cannot use fluorescent tubes any more.

So it all depends on your degree of electrical competence...  and the exact fitting you have.

In a single domestic setting maybe, but even so there is energy saving to be had. Maybe for cost of new tube etc not worthwhile in a domestic setting unless requiring a replacement tube anyway.

There is cost saving to be had in terms of less maintenance, no changing tubes and much longer lasting especially if you have thousands fitted  but in terms of energy saving - nope, you ger similar lumen output to energy input on both fluorescent tubes and led equivalent