An electric current in the gas excites mercury vapor, which produces short-wave ultraviolet light that then causes a phosphor coating on the inside of the lamp to glow . Linear fluorescent tubes. Fluorescent tubes are available in a wide variety of types and sizes. Multiply the fixture's wattage by its hours of use. T5 vs. T8: How Do You Know If You Really Need T5 Lighting? Testing a fluorescent tube is a relatively easy procedure that can be done without professional help. How many volts does a fluorescent light bulb use? The most commonly available fluorescent tube lighting is the T8 size. Comparison of fluorescent tube vs LED tube. LED vs Fluorescent: 10 Problems To Consider With Fluorescent Lighting; How to Calculate Total Fixture Wattage for Fluorescent Lighting If your fluorescent lamp has an electronic ballast, you only need to swap the lamps. A fluorescent fixture requires a ballast to send the proper amount of electricity to the fluorescent bulbs. These are used in private households, for example to illuminate basements or garages. 8 Reasons To Consider LED Replacement Bulbs vs. T8 Fluorescent Bulbs; T12 vs T8 vs T5: "T-12"...As Outdated As Your Granparents Bingo Game? This type of fluorescent tube lighting is the most popular because of its high CRi and many color temperature options.. T8 fluorescent tube lights are a good choice for an adjustable lighting system because of their color temperature range from a soft yellow to bright daylight. After this takes place, the voltage is much lower, ranging from 100 volts for tubes under 30 watts and 100 to 175 volts for tubes of 30 watts or more. A ballast coil works best when the AC mains voltage is at least 2 times the Fluorescent tubes working voltage. Two ways to show this: 1) the ballast still gets warm (although less so than with a tube), and 2) if you unscrew the line leads to the ballast with the current on (not recommended for safety reasons), you will see a little spark, indicating current flow. What is a ballast? Fluorescent tubes use ballasts -- external to the lamp -- for this purpose and LEDs originally used something called drivers -- also external to the lamp -- which effectively do the same thing. Wiki User June 11, 2011 4:33AM ... then there is no way to measure the voltage at the bulb as the tube … Some manufacturers, supply a ballast compatibility table. Do fluorescent bulbs use AC or DC power? This type of fluorescent tube lighting is the most popular because of its high CRi and many color temperature options.. T8 fluorescent tube lights are a good choice for an adjustable lighting system because of their color temperature range from a soft yellow to bright daylight. Following the incandescent bulb, the fluorescent lamp was considered the first major advance of commercial success in small scale lighting. Some are rated for only 120 volts, others for only 277 volts (used in commercial environments). Linear fluorescent tubes are the most common type of fluorescent lamps. As we discussed in our article, Replacing T8 Fluorescent Tubes with T8 LED Tubes, LEDs need something to safely modulate the energy running through them just as fluorescent tubes do. In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Voltage of a Fluorescent Tube. Testing a fluorescent tube is a relatively easy procedure that can be done without professional help. How Much Energy Does a Fluorescent Fixture Use? Fluorescent light fixtures are commonplace in both residential and commercial settings.