Tubular LED (TLED) lights are a kind of LED lamps designed to retrofit conventional fluorescent bulb fixtures, therefore harnessing the benefits of LED technology, such as energy efficiency and longevity. There are three primary categories of TLED lamps: Type A, which employs an internal driver and functions with the existing fluorescent lamp ballast; Type B, which utilizes an internal driver and circumvents the ballast to connect directly to line voltage; and Type C, which incorporates an external driver that substitutes the existing ballast. Each of these modified lamps may be transformed into an emergency lighting fixture, employing various sorts of emergency technology according to its unique classification. This is only a recommendation; skilled electricians or competent contractors should be used to convert LED retrofit fixtures into emergency lighting fixtures.
Type A
Type A TLED retrofit lights serve as a straight substitute for the fluorescent tubes now installed in your fixture. They are powered by the output of the original AC fluorescent ballast.
Type B
Type B TLED replacement lights has inbuilt drivers that convert alternating current (AC) electricity to direct current (DC) voltage to energize the LED array. These lamps are directly driven from the AC line and are occasionally referred to as "bypass" TLED lamps or "mains operated" TLED lamps.
Type C
Type C TLED replacement bulbs function on a DC power supply, analogous to a stationary LED light engine. If the TLED replacement lights lack inbuilt drivers, an AC LED driver with a DC voltage output must be utilized to substitute the fluorescent ballast.
Retrofit TLED Emergency Lighting Considerations
Potential compatibility concerns may develop when retrofitting older electronics with current technology. A prevalent problem seen in applications occurs when a fluorescent emergency lighting product is already installed before the upgrade.
Prior fluorescent bulb installations may have an emergency ballast that is incompatible with TLED lamps. In this instance, it is essential to eliminate the current emergency ballast and substitute it with an appropriate emergency product compatible with the specific kind of TLED light (kind A, B, or C). The age of the current emergency product should also be taken into account. Regardless of the compatibility of the present emergency ballast with the TLED bulbs or its age exceeding five years, it is advisable to replace it. The final outcome is a system designed to deliver several years of maintenance-free operation while incorporating the newest advancements in light engines and emergency lights.
Advancements in lumen efficiency of LED technology compared to fluorescent technology may render the identical emergency lighting configuration inapplicable. In some circumstances, two fluorescent fixtures were necessary to comply with Life Safety standards. Nevertheless, the enhanced lumen output of LED lighting may render only one fixture enough.
In addition to lumen efficiency, light dispersion is a critical performance component that influences emergency lighting. Fluorescent lights are predominantly omnidirectional, however most TLED bulbs restrict beam angle, hence influencing the light distribution of certain luminaires.
