Why Choose Hybrid or Ballast Bypass Over Plug and Play?

1. 4FT LED TUBEWHY CHOOSE HYBRID OR BALLAST BYPASS OVER PLUG AND PLAY? www.ledmyplace.ca

2. Introduction The 4ft LED Tube which is available in 18W, 20W and 22W can easily retrofit the 4ft fluorescent tube of 40W, 50W and 60W respectively and bring an overall energy-savings of not less than 75% by all means. The 4ft LED tube gains an edge over 4ft fluorescent tube in terms of brightness of the light, the lighting that’s free from any toxic chemicals or harmful radiation and lighting that’s flicker-free and noise-free. Further, this tube provides for 50,000 hours of lighting in sharp contrast with fluorescent tube which can provide only 30,000 hours of lighting. So far so good until you ask about the installation of 4ft LED tubes. The 4ft LED tube presents few problems to the fluorescent tube users, when looking for an upgrade. It is here that we choose to address these issues by presenting three main options for upgrade -- plug and play or direct fit, ballast bypass or direct wire and hybrid or dual technology www.ledmyplace.ca

3. Plug & Play Or Direct Fit 4ft LED Tube • This type of 4ft LED tube is one which can work directly with the existing ballast of fluorescent tube and hence there is no change in the ballast that is required nor any rewiring to be done. • So, you may ask, what are the advantages or disadvantages of choosing this method. Let’s first look at the advantages. • This method doesn’t require any wiring so virtually anyone can install this kind of 4ft LED tube.   • This method obviously leads to lowering of cost due to manpower required for installation. • Thirdly, if the method is simpler, it obviously also is safer. • The disadvantages are the following. • No matter what, you incur the upfront cost of 4ft LED tube, even though there’s been a sharp reduction in prices from what they were in the past. However, the positive side to this is that you recover the upfront cost within a year or so when you receive a lower utility bill month after month. • You may have the best of ballast-compatible 4ft LED tubes, but what if the ballast still fails and in majority of cases it does. Moreover, the ballast draws more power, you need to regularly maintain it and so not always preferred www.ledmyplace.ca

4. Ballast Bypass Or Direct Wire 4ft LED Tube • This kind of method involves removing the existing fluorescent tube ballast and direct wiring to have the line voltage. Considered as one of the best methods. • The following are the advantages of direct wiring. • No need to maintain the ballast as there is no ballast. • Since there is no ballast, the wattage of the tube is equal to the wattage of the tube fixture which means the light output is not reduced through the use of the ballast. • There is no ballast factor and so no energy gets wasted. • The disadvantages of this method are listed below. • There could be chances of an electric shock while undertaking direct wiring of the 4ft LED tube to the socket. It would be advisable to read all the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer. • Installing the tube using this method is not only risky but also complicated. There could be two options for wiring -- single and double-ended which you need to study  before you undertake this method as incorrect or faulty wiring may lead to electrical hazard. • If in case you decide to get the tube installed with the help of an electrical contractor, you may incur the installation cost. • You may also incur some material costs if required to change the socket from shunted to a non-shunted one. www.ledmyplace.ca

5. Summary Out of all the methods, it’s always advisable to consider the ballast bypass option or hybrid technology as these methods provide you with greater flexibility in retrofitting the 4ft LED tube. One of the other things you must keep in mind is the DLC certification for such kind of 4ft LED tubes. Not all tubes available in the market are DLC certified and might be just DLC listed which would not get you rebates. www.ledmyplace.ca

6. Hybrid Or Dual Technology 4ft LED Tube • Here, you may choose to first plug and play and if in case the ballast fails, you can remove the ballast and then allow the tube to run off of line voltage. • Let’s look at the advantages of this method. • Use of both methods gives you freedom to choose. Also, you get rid of the hassle of purchasing another 4ft LED tube, when there’s already one. • Again, when you opt for plug and play, you avoid the hassle of wiring the tube. • The disadvantages are the following. • Bypassing the ballast when the existing ballast runs out is often a risky venture as it’s a common tendency to place the fingers on the tube pins when undertaking installation.   • You may incur labor cost, if you get the tube installed with the help of an electrician. www.ledmyplace.ca

7. THANK YOU 4378001071 info@ledmyplace.ca www.ledmyplace.ca