Converting fluorescent shop lights, troffers, and strip fixtures to LED slashes energy use, ends the flicker and hum, and removes mercury from your space. It's a very doable upgrade. Here's the step-by-step for T8 and T12 fixtures.
Electrical work carries risk. Turn off power at the breaker before wiring, and hire a licensed electrician if you're not confident. See our safety disclaimer.
Step 1: Identify Your Tubes
Check the printing on the old tube. T12 tubes are fat (1.5" diameter) and old-school, usually on magnetic ballasts. T8 tubes are slimmer (1" diameter) and typically on electronic ballasts. Note the length (2/3/4/8 ft) and the base (G13 bi-pin for most T8/T12; single-pin FA8 on many 8-footers). See our tube size guide.
Step 2: Pick Your Conversion Type
This is the key decision:
- Type A (plug-and-play): works with your existing electronic ballast — easiest, no wiring. Great for T8 fixtures with a healthy ballast.
- Type B (ballast-bypass): rewire to line voltage and remove the ballast — most efficient and the usual choice for old T12 magnetic-ballast fixtures (LED Type A tubes generally don't run on magnetic ballasts).
- Type A+B (universal): do plug-and-play now, convert later.
Full comparison in our Type A/B/C guide. Tip: T12 fixtures almost always call for Type B, since their magnetic ballasts aren't LED-compatible.
Step 3 (Type A): Just Swap
Remove the fluorescent tube, insert the matching Type A LED tube into the same sockets, and switch on. Confirm instant, flicker-free light. That's it.
Step 3 (Type B): Rewire Safely
- Cut power at the breaker and confirm it's off.
- Remove the tubes and the fixture cover.
- Disconnect and remove (or fully bypass) the ballast.
- Wire line and neutral to the sockets per the tube's diagram — single-ended or double-ended as specified — using the correct (often non-shunted) tombstones.
- Restore the cover, install the LED tubes, and restore power.
Always follow the specific tube's wiring instructions; they vary by model.
Step 4: Match Brightness and Color
Replace by lumens — a 15W–18W LED matches a 32W T8 4-footer (~1,800–2,250 lm). Choose 4000K for neutral spaces or 5000K daylight for shops and garages. Clear lenses maximize brightness; frosted reduce glare.
Step 5: Recycle the Old Tubes
Fluorescent tubes contain mercury — don't trash them where prohibited. Use a hazardous-waste or lamp-recycling drop-off. If a tube breaks, ventilate and follow EPA cleanup (don't vacuum).
Shop Tubes and Save in Bulk
Find your size and type in our LED Tubes collection, available in singles and discounted 6- and 12-packs for whole-fixture or whole-building jobs. Not sure which tube fits? Tell us your length, base, and ballast and we'll help you choose.