Can I use a T8 lamp in a T12 fixture?

In my opinion, I don’t recommended to use a T8 lamp in a T12 fixture, they have different ballast requirements and may not be compatible.

T8 lamps are designed to operate with electronic ballasts, while T12 lamps typically require magnetic ballasts. Electronic ballasts are more energy-efficient and provide better performance than magnetic ballasts.

Using a T8 lamp in a T12 fixture that has a magnetic ballast could result in reduced light output, shorter lamp life, and higher energy consumption.

What is T12 fixture

A T12 lamp is a type of fluorescent lamp that is 1.5 inches in diameter (measured at the widest point of the tube) and has a medium bi-pin base. The “T” in the name stands for “tubular” and the “12” refers to the diameter of the tube in eighths of an inch (so 12/8 = 1.5 inches).

T12 lamps were commonly used in commercial and residential lighting applications until the early 2000s, when more energy-efficient T8 and T5 lamps became more popular.

Today, T12 lamps are less common, and many countries have phased them out due to their relatively low energy efficiency.

What is a t8 lamp

A T8 lamp is a type of fluorescent lamp that is 1 inch in diameter (measured at the widest point of the tube) and has a medium bi-pin base. The “T” in the name stands for “tubular” and the “8” refers to the diameter of the tube in eighths of an inch (so 8/8 = 1 inch).

T8 lamps are more energy-efficient than their predecessor, the T12 lamp, and have largely replaced T12 lamps in commercial and residential lighting applications.

They are also more efficient than T5 lamps in certain applications, such as general office lighting, and are often used in combination with electronic ballasts to further increase their energy efficiency.

T8 lamps come in a variety of lengths, wattages, and color temperatures, and are commonly used in ceiling fixtures, troffers, and strip lights.