Norman Lamps, Inc.

Introducing our exceptional range of LED T5 tubes, designed to deliver unmatched performance, energy efficiency, and longevity in a wide array of commercial and residential applications. These cutting-edge tubes are the perfect replacements for traditional T5 fluorescent tubes, offering a seamless transition to more sustainable and cost-effective lighting solutions. Our LED T5 tubes are meticulously engineered to meet the highest standards of quality and performance, ensuring optimal illumination, reduced energy consumption, and minimal maintenance requirements. Whether you're upgrading under-cabinet lighting, retail displays, office fixtures, or specialty applications, LED T5 tubes provide compelling advantages over fluorescent technology including instant-on operation, mercury-free construction, and freedom from the ballast failures that plague fluorescent systems.

T5 fluorescent tubes—the "5" indicating 5/8 inch diameter, making them slimmer than standard T8 (1 inch) and T12 (1.5 inch) tubes—are commonly found in under-cabinet lighting, retail shelf lighting, display cases, compact linear fixtures, and applications where the slim profile matters. The high-efficiency T5HO (high output) fluorescent tubes have been popular in commercial settings, but LED technology now surpasses fluorescent T5 performance in virtually every metric. LED T5 tubes typically deliver 30-50% energy savings compared to T5 fluorescent tubes, 50,000+ hour lifespans versus 20,000-30,000 for fluorescents, instant-on operation without warm-up delay, and no mercury or hazardous materials requiring special disposal procedures.

The installation approach for LED T5 tubes typically involves ballast bypass (also called direct wire), where you remove or bypass the existing fluorescent ballast and rewire the sockets to connect directly to line voltage. This ballast bypass provides the most reliable long-term operation and eliminates the ballast as a failure point. The wiring modification is straightforward: turn off power, remove fluorescent tubes, remove the fixture cover to access wiring, disconnect the ballast and connect the sockets directly to line voltage (typically two wires per socket for shunted sockets, or one wire to each end for non-shunted), replace the cover, and install LED T5 tubes. Some LED T5 tubes offer plug-and-play ballast-compatible operation allowing installation without rewiring, but ballast bypass is generally preferred for maximum reliability and efficiency. The ballast bypass also eliminates ballast power consumption (typically 5-10 watts per fixture), adding to overall energy savings.

Energy savings with LED T5 tubes vary depending on the fluorescent baseline. T5HO (high output) fluorescent tubes at 54 watts can be replaced with 24-32 watt LED tubes providing equivalent light output—a 40-60% energy reduction. Standard T5 fluorescent tubes at 14-28 watts can be replaced with 8-18 watt LED tubes yielding 35-45% savings. When you include the eliminated ballast consumption (5-10 watts), total system energy savings often reach 50-65%. For commercial or institutional settings with hundreds of T5 fixtures, these savings aggregate to substantial reductions in electricity costs. A retail store with 200 T5HO fixtures operating 14 hours daily saves approximately 30 watts per fixture × 200 × 14 hours × 365 days = 30,000+ kWh annually worth $3,000-4,500 at commercial electricity rates.

The lifespan advantage of LED T5 tubes is dramatic. T5 fluorescent tubes typically last 20,000-30,000 hours in real-world applications (often less with frequent switching), requiring replacement every 2-4 years in fixtures with moderate daily use. LED T5 tubes offer 50,000+ hour lifespans—meaning 8-15+ years of typical commercial use with no maintenance. The LED solid-state technology delivers stable light output throughout its lifespan, typically maintaining >90% of initial lumens at 50,000 hours (L90), far superior to fluorescent tubes that decline significantly in output as they age. This eliminates the dim, flickering, end-of-life behavior fluorescent tubes exhibit and ensures consistent illumination quality year after year.

Color temperature options for LED T5 tubes typically include 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, and 5000K, allowing you to match or improve your lighting environment. Under-cabinet and residential applications often prefer 3000K warm white for comfortable lighting that complements kitchen and living spaces. Retail and commercial settings typically choose 3500K-4000K for bright, clean illumination that renders colors well and creates an energizing shopping environment. Offices and commercial spaces often select 4000K neutral white for crisp, productive lighting. Applications requiring maximum color perception and alertness—inspection areas, healthcare, precision work—might choose 5000K daylight. Many LED T5 tubes offer high CRI (90+) options for applications where excellent color rendering is critical, such as art galleries, museums, retail fashion, and anywhere color accuracy matters.

Common T5 tube lengths include 22 inches (14W fluorescent), 34 inches (21W), 45 inches (28W), and 46 inches (54W HO), with LED equivalents available in matching lengths. It's essential to measure your existing tubes or fixture to order the correct length—T5 tubes are not interchangeable between lengths like some other lighting products. The tubes use miniature bi-pin (G5) bases with pins spaced 5mm apart, different from the T8 medium bi-pin (G13) with 13mm spacing. This prevents accidental installation of incorrect tube types, though it also means T5 and T8 tubes are not interchangeable even if lengths are similar.

Light distribution from LED T5 tubes can vary depending on design. Some LED T5 tubes use directional LEDs aimed downward, providing concentrated light in one direction—ideal for under-cabinet lighting, display cases, and applications where you want light directed at a specific surface rather than radiating in all directions. Other LED T5 tubes use omnidirectional designs that distribute light 360 degrees similar to fluorescent tubes, appropriate for fixtures with reflectors or applications requiring broad light distribution. Understanding which design suits your application ensures optimal results—directional for task lighting and display applications, omnidirectional for general ambient fixtures.

Common Applications: Under-cabinet lighting (kitchens, workshops), retail shelf and display lighting, display cases and showcases, commercial and office linear fixtures, task lighting, garage and utility lighting, anywhere compact slim-profile linear lighting is required

Key Advantages: 30-50% energy savings versus T5 fluorescent, 50,000+ hour lifespan eliminates frequent maintenance, instant-on with no warm-up, stable light output throughout life, mercury-free, ballast bypass eliminates ballast failures, high CRI options for excellent color rendering

Common Lengths: 22", 34", 45", 46" (T5HO). Measure your existing tubes to determine correct replacement length. G5 miniature bi-pin base.