Retrofit TLED solutions

Tubular LED lamps (TLED) are an easy solution to retrofit existing fluorescent lamps fixtures with LED lighting. There are three different categories of TLED lamps to be aware of, Type A, B, and C. In all cases, Bodine has an emergency lighting solution to ensure your installation meets code.

Some TLED retrofit lamps have internal drivers that can accept AC input through the original fluorescent ballast or through connection to line voltage.

These TLED replacement lamps have internal drivers that convert AC to DC in order to power the LED array. When emergency lighting is required in these fixtures, an emergency ballast or emergency inverter with AC output may be used. See types A and B for more information.

If the TLED replacement lamps do not have internal drivers, an AC LED driver with DC output must be used to replace the fluorescent ballast. Likewise, an emergency driver that provides DC output must be used to drive the TLED lamps when normal power fails. See Type C for more information.

Certified electricians or qualified contractors should be used to convert LED retrofit fixtures into emergency lighting fixtures.

Type A

Type A TLED retrofit lamps have internal drivers that are a direct replacement for the fluorescent tubes currently installed in your fixture. These are called Type A lamps. They are powered from the original AC fluorescent ballast’s output.

This type of retrofit is the simplest and can easily be done by anyone that can also replace a fluorescent tube. Bodine fluorescent emergency drivers, such as the B50 are suitable for this type of lamp.

View Type A emergency solutions

Type B

Type B TLED replacement lamps have internal drivers that convert AC to DC in order to power the LED array. These are powered directly from the AC line and are sometimes called “bypass” TLED lamps or “mains operated” TLED lamps.

When emergency lighting is required in these fixtures, an emergency inverter with AC output should be used, like the Bodine ELI emergency inverter series of products.

View Type B emergency solutions

Type C

Type C TLED replacement lamps are operated from a DC source, the same as a fixed LED light engine. If the TLED replacement lamps do not have internal drivers, an AC LED driver with DC output must be used to replace the fluorescent ballast.

Likewise, an emergency driver that provides DC output must be used to drive the TLED lamps when normal power fails, like the Bodine BSL LED emergency driver series of products.

View Type C emergency solutions

*Note: Any of the types illustrated may use an inverter as the emergency lighting source.

Retrofit TLED solutions

Type A

Type B

Type C

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