linear fluorescent tubes

Linear Fluorescent Tubes

Fluorescent Tubes

Fluorescent Tubes are commonly used in a range of troffers and wraparound fixtures to light offices and warehouses. They are known for their reliability to provide an even distribution of light wherever its needed. Fluorescent tubes are offered in a range of sizes and color temperatures for nearly any application.

Fluorescent Tube Color Temperatures

Color temperature refers to the assigned value of the color light a light bulb produces. Fluorescent tubes, which start at 2700 Kelvin, exhibit a yellow color typically found in residences. The more commonly used 4000 Kelvin fluorescent tubes emit a cool white light recommended for offices and work-spaces. A color temperature of 6500 Kelvin is considered full spectrum daylight and is comparable to natural daylight with diffused clouds. A full spectrum light is recommended for display areas, high security areas, and spaces which look best in natural light.

Fluorescent Tube Sizes

Fluorescent tubes come in a range of sizes. You can tell the size and maximum wattage rating for a fluorescent tube by the code detailing its dimensions. T8 for example, means tubular (T) followed by the size/diameter (8). There may also be an abbreviated HO which indicates a high-output and VHO for very-high-output.

In order to identify which size you need, the easiest way to tell is to read the label near the base of the tube. If this information is no longer legible, you can measure the bulbs diameter. Fluorescent tubes are measured in eighths of an inch. A T8 has a one inch (8/8 inch) diameter, a T5 has a 5/8 inch diameter, and a T12 is a 12/8 inch (1.5 inch) in diameter. If a T12 and a T8 use the same bi-pin base, you can use them interchangeably with the same lighting fixture as long as you double check the milliamp (mA) requirements of the ballast.

Fluorescent Tube Bases

1000Bulbs.com not only offers a wide selection of fluorescent tubes, but with also an assortment of bases to fit nearly any lighting fixture. The most widely used are Medium Bi-Pin, Miniature Bi-Pin, and Recessed Double Contact. Unsure about what base type you might need? Contact us and well be happy to help!

Black Lights

What is a Black Light?

A black light is a bulb that emits ultra-violet (UV-A) light and not much visible light. A bulb can either use a filter to block most visible light and only allow ultraviolet light through or it can produce ultraviolet light and limited light in the visible spectrum. When you think of black lights, youre probably thinking of the first kind. Black lights with the blue filter coating are called blacklight blue or BLB by manufacturers. The filter causes these bulbs to look purple or dark blue even when turned off. The second kind can look like a standard fluorescent tube. These black lights are labeled blacklight or BL since they lack the blue filter that gives the first type the name. BL black light bulbs tend to skew more towards a blue light than purple and are made for use in bug zapper insect traps.

What Glows Under Black Light?

Ultra-violet light causes some materials to glow or fluoresce, which is brought out by blocking most of the light in the visible spectrum. Youve probably been to a bowling alley or college party that used black lights to make clothing glow. White and neon colors react the best, especially orange, yellow, pink, and green.

Black light bulbs are used to authenticate oil paintings, some antiques, and catch counterfeit currency. There are also inks and dyes that contain fluorescent ink that can invisibly mark items, which can be used for anything from passing secret notes to marking items to be recognizable if stolen. Invisible ink is also used by some childrens party centers to stamp a parents hand to a matching number on their childs to prevent adults from leaving with a child they did not bring to the event. There are also some plants and animals that glow under UV light including some species of scorpions and fungi.

Shapes and Types of Black Light Bulbs

Black lights can be fluorescent tubes, CFLs, mercury-vapor lamps, incandescent, or LED. The first black light was created by using a UV filter called Woods glass over the bulb. Since then more efficient sources have come to light. Incandescent bulbs do not produce much light in the ultraviolet spectrum, but they remain the most economic option. Fluorescent black lights, whether as a spiral CFL or a black light tube light typically use a special phosphor that emits UV-A light instead of visible white light. The dark blue outer coating filters out much of the remaining visible light so that the fluorescence effects of the bulbs can be better observed. Black lights come in many different shapes and sizes, like the spiral shape of CFL bulbs and the A-shape or tubular shape of incandescents. Black tube lights have the same sizing designation as linear fluorescent or LED tubes, with the number after the T signifying the tubes diameter in eighths of an inch. So, a T8 tube has the same 1-inch diameter as a standard T8.

Black Lights

What is a Black Light?

A black light is a bulb that emits ultra-violet (UV-A) light and not much visible light. A bulb can either use a filter to block most visible light and only allow ultraviolet light through or it can produce ultraviolet light and limited light in the visible spectrum. When you think of black lights, youre probably thinking of the first kind. Black lights with the blue filter coating are called blacklight blue or BLB by manufacturers. The filter causes these bulbs to look purple or dark blue even when turned off. The second kind can look like a standard fluorescent tube. These black lights are labeled blacklight or BL since they lack the blue filter that gives the first type the name. BL black light bulbs tend to skew more towards a blue light than purple and are made for use in bug zapper insect traps.

What Glows Under Black Light?

Ultra-violet light causes some materials to glow or fluoresce, which is brought out by blocking most of the light in the visible spectrum. Youve probably been to a bowling alley or college party that used black lights to make clothing glow. White and neon colors react the best, especially orange, yellow, pink, and green.

Black light bulbs are used to authenticate oil paintings, some antiques, and catch counterfeit currency. There are also inks and dyes that contain fluorescent ink that can invisibly mark items, which can be used for anything from passing secret notes to marking items to be recognizable if stolen. Invisible ink is also used by some childrens party centers to stamp a parents hand to a matching number on their childs to prevent adults from leaving with a child they did not bring to the event. There are also some plants and animals that glow under UV light including some species of scorpions and fungi.

Shapes and Types of Black Light Bulbs

Black lights can be fluorescent tubes, CFLs, mercury-vapor lamps, incandescent, or LED. The first black light was created by using a UV filter called Woods glass over the bulb. Since then more efficient sources have come to light. Incandescent bulbs do not produce much light in the ultraviolet spectrum, but they remain the most economic option. Fluorescent black lights, whether as a spiral CFL or a black light tube light typically use a special phosphor that emits UV-A light instead of visible white light. The dark blue outer coating filters out much of the remaining visible light so that the fluorescence effects of the bulbs can be better observed. Black lights come in many different shapes and sizes, like the spiral shape of CFL bulbs and the A-shape or tubular shape of incandescents. Black tube lights have the same sizing designation as linear fluorescent or LED tubes, with the number after the T signifying the tubes diameter in eighths of an inch. So, a T8 tube has the same 1-inch diameter as a standard T8.