BlogTechnical Guide
March 22, 20256 min read
T8 LED Type A vs Type B: Which Should You Choose?
A complete comparison of ballast-compatible (Type A) and direct-wire (Type B) T8 LED installation methods for commercial retrofits.
When specifying T8 LED tubes for a commercial retrofit, the most important decision is the installation type. Type A (ballast-compatible) tubes work with your existing fluorescent ballast — no rewiring required. Type B (direct-wire) tubes bypass the ballast entirely, connecting directly to line voltage.
The right choice depends on your facility size, budget, timeline, and long-term maintenance goals. This guide breaks down every factor.
Type A vs Type B: Full Comparison
Aspect
Type A (Ballast-Compatible)
Type B (Direct-Wire)
Installation
Plug-and-play — no rewiring
Requires ballast bypass rewiring
Ballast dependency
Requires working ballast
No ballast — direct line voltage
Upfront cost
Lower (no electrician needed)
Higher (electrician required)
Long-term cost
Higher (ballast replacement)
Lower (no ballast to fail)
Energy efficiency
Slightly lower (ballast losses)
Maximum efficiency
Reliability
Depends on ballast lifespan
Highest — no ballast failure risk
Compatibility
Must match ballast type
Universal — works with any fixture
Best for
Low-volume retrofits, rentals
Large facilities, new construction
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Type A if…
- Your ballasts are less than 5 years old
- You need a quick, low-cost retrofit
- You have a rental property or short-term project
- You want to avoid electrical permits
- Volume is under 50 fixtures
Choose Type B if…
- Your ballasts are aging or failing
- You're doing a large facility retrofit (100+ fixtures)
- You want maximum energy efficiency
- You're doing new construction
- You want the lowest 10-year total cost
Need Type A or Type B LED tubes in bulk?