Yes, you can replace a fluorescent tube with an LED tube, but the method depends on your fixture type — some LED tubes drop straight in, while others require bypassing the ballast first.

Most fluorescent fixtures use a ballast to regulate current, and that component determines your path. Type A LED tubes work with the existing ballast — no rewiring needed. Type B tubes (including ELEKICO's 8ft FA8 single-pin LED tubes) require direct-wire ballast bypass: you connect the tube straight to line voltage and remove the ballast from the circuit. That's a 15–30 minute task for most standard fixtures, not an electrician job, and it eliminates a common failure point while improving efficiency by 10–15%.

  • ELEKICO 8ft LED tubes are Type B (direct-wire) and compatible with T8, T10, and T12 fixtures using the FA8 single-pin base.
  • Ballast bypass on a standard 8ft fixture typically takes 15–30 minutes as a DIY task.
  • The ELEKICO 72W 8ft LED tube replaces a 200W fluorescent tube — a 64% reduction in energy draw.
  • Bypassing the ballast improves system efficiency by approximately 10–15% compared to running a Type A tube through an aging ballast.
  • ELEKICO LED tubes carry a CRI of 85+, rated at 140–150 lm/W output efficiency.

Safety Notes

  • Kill power at the breaker, not just the switch: Before touching any wiring during ballast bypass, shut off the circuit at the panel — light switches don't always interrupt both legs of line voltage.
  • Verify the fixture is de-energized with a non-contact voltage tester: Confirm zero voltage at the tombstone sockets before touching any wires; a live touch to bypassed line voltage is a shock hazard, not a nuisance.
  • ELEKICO FA8 single-pin tubes are direct-wire only — do not insert them into an active ballast circuit: Connecting a Type B tube to a live ballast can damage the driver and create a fire risk at the socket.
  • Cap all disconnected ballast wires with wire nuts: Leaving cut ballast leads exposed inside the fixture housing creates a shock hazard for anyone who services the fixture later.

Important Exceptions

  • Electronic ballast has failed: Type A tubes won't light at all through a dead ballast — bypass to direct-wire or replace the ballast before installing any LED tube.
  • Fixture uses T5 or T5HO tubes: ELEKICO's FA8 single-pin 8ft LED tubes are not compatible with T5 sockets; T5 fixtures require a T5-specific LED replacement or a full fixture swap.
  • Fixture is controlled by a dimmer switch: ELEKICO 8ft Type B LED tubes are not dimmable — pairing them with a dimmer circuit will cause flickering or early driver failure.
  • Outdoor or wet-location fixture: Standard ELEKICO LED tube replacements are rated for dry/damp locations only; a wet-rated fixture in a car wash bay or outdoor canopy requires an IP65-rated product from the UFO high bay line instead.
  • Fixture runs on 277V commercial power: ELEKICO 8ft LED tubes are rated for 100–277V input, but confirm your specific fixture's voltage before bypassing the ballast — wiring a 120V-only tube to a 277V circuit will destroy the driver instantly.