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Direct Wire LED Tubes vs LED Tubes Using Ballasts: What's The Difference?

Direct Wire LED Tubes vs LED Tubes Using Ballasts: What's The Difference?

The age old question, is it better to direct wire LED Tubes or is it better to direct connect with a ballast? There are pro's and con's to each option but you should base your decision on your application needs.

How They Work

When replacing T8 Fluorescent Tubes with T8 LED Tubes, just like fluorescent tubes, LEDs need something to safely modulate the energy running through them. Fluorescent tubes use ballasts, which are external to the lamp for this purpose while LEDs originally used drivers which are also external to the lamp. Both of which essentially serving the same purpose.

Originally to upgrade from fluorescent tubes, you would remove the old lamps and their ballasts. Then direct wire the drivers and then connect the LED tubes to these external drivers. To make things simpler, manufacturers developed LEDs with internal drivers that could work directly off the ballasts that were already being used. Allowing you to connect the LED tube to the existing ballast, assuming the LED and ballast specs are compatible.

Many new LED tubes now come with integrated drivers for direct wire purposes. These allow you to entirely remove old lamps and ballasts and connect the new LED lamp directly to the power source without a separate driver.

In both instances, there are drivers inside the LED, one designed to work with electronic ballasts and one designed to work directly with the power source.

What's The Difference?

Direct Wire LEDs 

Direct Wire LEDs are more difficult to set up initially because the ballast must be removed. But by removing the ballast, you are eliminating a possible failure point. Reducing maintenance costs and down time from having to replace the ballast.

Direct Connect LEDs (Those That Work With Ballasts)

Direct Connect LEDs are much easier to set up because there's no need to remove the ballast. Simply remove the old fluorescent tubes and replace them with LEDs. However, by connecting the LED tube to the ballast, you are adding an additional failure point, which will most likely fail long before the LED would. And so you'll have the time and cost involved in replacing that ballast to get the LED working again.

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