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Ecolight T8 to T5 Retrofit FAQ
Q.1) What is EcoLight T5 Series?
EcoLight® T5 Series are new technology of T5 electronic ballast fitted inside the unique aluminium
fixtures designed to retrofit into the existing T8 and T12 fluorescent system resulting in high energy
saving rate, up to 63%.
They are retrofitted fixtures designed to provide the best solution to upgrade conventional systems
which are using Electromagnetic Ballast to the very latest T5 electronic ballast technology and T5
florescent lamp technology. EcoLight® T5 Series comply with T8 and T12 fluorescent lamps and
provide numerous immediate and lasting benefits including: energy saving, no wiring work, short
payback period, quick installation, better light quality, eye protection, high power factor, etc.
Q.2) What does retrofit fixture mean?
Retrofit fixture is an easy‐to‐install design of lighting products which can fit to the existing
fittings without any modification and wiring work. The retrofit fixture concept is designed to
minimize the costs of achieving energy efficiency.
Q.3) After installation of EcoLight T5 products, does the system require a starter to trigger the
light?
NO!
EcoLight® T5 products do not require any starter as it is an electronic ballast system. In fact the
starter must be removed prior to installation.
Q.4) It is mentioned that EcoLight T5 consumes less energy. Does this mean that the
light output will also be lower?
Although EcoLight T5 consumes less energy, the light output is comparable to the
conventional T8 lights since the efficacy of T5 system is much higher than T8 system.
Q.5) Some T5 fluorescent systems would encounter end‐tube blackening effect in the early stage
of operation. Do EcoLight T5 products have the same problem?
NO!
All of our T5 products are equipped with pre‐heating function which is used to warm up the
filament before the T5 tube is trigged to light up. Without the pre‐heating function, the lifespan of
the tube will be shortened and the blackening effect will occur earlier.
Q.6) What is the difference between, FEE model, FSE model and FAE model?
•We provide 2 Year Warranty for FEE model. FEE model has Overload protection, Over‐heat
protection, Pre‐heating function, THD<30%, PF =0.95 (application: factory, school,
commercial building, super market, etc.)
• We provide 3 Year Warranty for FSE model. FSE model has EMI protection circuit, Overload
protection, Over‐heat protection, Abnormal protection, Pre‐heating function, THD<20%,
PF=0.98 (application: hospital, commercial build, warehouse, etc.)
• We provide 5 Year Warranty for FAE model. FSE model has EMI protection circuit, Overload
protection, Over‐heat protection, Abnormal protection, Pre‐heating function, Chipset
control, Constant power output, THD<10%, PF=0.98 (application: computer room, data
centre, hospital, etc.)
• Please refer to our product specification for more details of the difference.
Q.7) What is the average life time of the EcoLight T5 fixture and T5 ECOTUBE?
The life time of the built‐in ballast is around 30,000 hours to 50,000 hours depending on different
class of product. ( E mode = 30k hours, S mode = 40k hours and A mode = 50k hours)
The life time of T5 tubes is around 18,000 hours.
Q.8) What warranty period can you provide on the EcoLight FSE series?
Yes, we provide 3 year warranty for FSE model.
Q.9) What T5 Adapter models have the new chipset in them?
Products with chipset control are:
• All FAU models
• All FAH models
Q.10) What advantage does the new chipset give to the client (example longer rated life etc)?
With built in chipset, the product will become more stable during operation. The lifespan of the
product will be extended.
Q.11) What are the differences in ICs, ICs Control, Open, Cut‐Off, Open ‐ Circuit, Short Circuit, Gas
discharge?
• ICs =ICs Control means that product is built with chipset control to ensure stable operation.
• Cut‐Off is a new electronic ballast control technology which will stop the pre‐heating current
flowing through the filament after the tube is ignited. The Cut‐Off technology will reduce
the loading of filament and hence extended the life span of tube. And most of EcoLight T5
series will equip with Cut‐Off technology. The specific models with Cut‐Off technology are:
o T5/14FSE, T5/21FSE, T5/28FSE, T5/35FSE
o T5/14FSA, T5/21FSA, T5/28FSA, T5/35FSA
o T5/14FSI, T5/21FSI, T5/28FSI, T5/35FSI
o All FAU model
o All FAH model
• Open‐Circuit, Short‐Circuit, Gas Discharge, Overload are included in the protection function
of all EcoLight products.
Q.12) Is the lumen output the same for the tubes of 2700K, 4000K and 6500K?
In general, with the same input power, the lumen output of 2700K results about 5% higher than
6500K. So the lumen output of 4000K will be higher than 6500K by about 2%.
Ecotube Osram
T5 LUMEN lm T8 LUMEN lm
HE 14/840 1200 18 1350
HE 21/840 1900 30 2400
HE 28/840 2600 36 3350
HE 35/840 3300 58 5200
Q.13) What does better quality of light mean?
The colour rendering index (Ra) of T5 tubes is >85. “Ra” translated into layman’s language
means that the light produced by T5 tubes is 85% close to natural sun light.
Q.14) What is the difference in light output over the life time between T5 ECOTUBE and
T8 fluorescent tubes?
TheT5 tubes are designed to last for a period of 15,000 hours. With the
nano‐film technology, the lifetime is being extended to 18,000 hours. The depreciation of
lumen output is around 10% after 10,000 hours compared to 35‐40% for standard T8 tubes.
This reduces the service and maintenance costs involved in changing the tubes and therefore will
result in additional savings.
Q.15) Does the installation of EcoLight T5 products require wiring work?
• If the old light fitting is built with electro‐magnetic ballast, you don’t have to by‐pass, you
only remove the starter and disconnect the capacitor (this is optional with the FSE, FA model
of the fixture). Then you simply install the EcoLight T5 product into the light fittings directly
as you would a standard tube.
• On the other hand, if the old fitting is built with Electronic ballast, rapid start ballast or
instant start ballast, you need to do some basic wiring work to by‐pass it.
• Please refer to the user manual of EcoLight T5 series for details.
Q.16) What is the advantage of EcoLight T5 Series in the term of light output when it is compared
with other similar T5 products?
EcoLight T5 product is applying standard T5‐electronic ballast to gear the lamp. For example,
of T5/35FEE, the system power is 37W. Our ballast provides enough 35W to light up the
T5/35W lamp. As a result, the T5/35W lamp will achieve its optimal light output. And the
rest of 2 W is the consumption of ballast itself. Together with our aluminium reflector, the
lux level can be greatly increased (30%).
For other brand’s adaptors, they only record 32.5W system power. The power to T5/35W
lamp is only 30W which is far below the required power consumption. As a results, the light
output drops. It is sensible that a 35W T5 lamp requires 35W power to achieve its maximum
light output
And it should be noticed that the lifespan of T5 fluorescent will be shortened if the supply
power is higher or lower than the rated power.
Q.17) What are the advantages of EcoLight T5 series product over other similar T5 products?
• EcoLight T5 series products are superior for the following reasons:
• EcoLight products comply with all the standards of industrial and commercial applications
and EcoLight product is certified by the laboratory of SGS which is recognised globally.
• All EcoLight products come with PTC (Pre‐heating function) and protection function. Since
the filament of T5 tube is very delicate, without PTC, the tube will break down in a short
period of time. Other products do not have PTC.
• Our ECOTUBE T5 tube has some breakthrough on the filament and coating technologies. We
apply a nano‐film to the internal glass tube so that the lumen maintenance performance will
be highly improved.
• Our T5 tube is always designed to match the e‐ballast. The matching of e‐ballast and the
tube is very critical to the stability of the whole T5 system. Other product produce and
design T5 electronic ballast and T5 tube individually.
• EcoLight T5 product concerns the quality of electronics, the design of product, working
conditions as well as the matching of tube and electronic ballast.
• We provide full range of products with different class and supply voltage. EcoLight products
are congruent to the demands of the market in many cases.
For more details please see the EcoLight T5 features
Q.18) What are the advantages of using an aluminum fixture in EcoLight T5 series product?
The aluminium fixture is very good for heat dissipation. The operation temperatures (Tc) of our
T5/FSE or FEE is about 40 ‐ 45°C. Since we are using a long aluminium bracket to embrace the T5
electronic ballast, our running temperature is lower than the normal T5 e‐ballast which is using ironplate
as casing. Moreover, the aluminium makes the product look more classy.
Q.19) What are the advantages of using a rotational cap in EcoLight T5 series product?
The rotational cap is a unique design which ensures the product can be applied to the fixture with
different angle of lamp holders.
Q.20) I found the end‐tube darkening effect will happen early if we use other brand name of T5
tube. What is the reason?
If the T5 tube is not under our brand name it may not perfectly match our electronic ballast.
Therefore, it may cause the darkening effect in the earlier stage. Please note that a small amount of
darkening is normal in application.
Q.21) How does the EcoLight T5 react to high voltage fluctuations?
EcoLight T5 has been designed taking voltage fluctuation into consideration. The electronic
ballast can withstand voltage fluctuation of ±15%.
Q.22): Does Ecolight T5 apply to RoHs? And CE?
All of our ECOTUBE (T5 tube) comply with RoHs. We can also provide EcoLight T5 fixture with RoHs
complied if specified. All EcoLight products are accredited by SGS with CE certification.
Q.23): What is RoHS?
RoHS is commonly referred to as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive and was adopted
in February 2003 by the European Union.
The RoHS directive took effect on 1 July 2006, and is required to be enforced and become law in
each member state. This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of
various types of electronic and electrical equipment.
Q.24): Can we use this EcoLight T5 in the old T12 fixtures?
EcoLight T5 can apply to all standard fixture with different diameter of tube, including T12.
Q.25) Can the EcoLight T5 be used if there is already an electronic ballast installed in
the fitting?
Yes, but some simply wiring work has to be performed. The existing electronic ballast needs
to be by‐passed.
Please refer to our user manual for details.
Q.26): We are using Single Bullet Pin, can we use EcoLight T5?
EcoLight T5 has other end‐cap design to be applied in single bullet pin. Please specify in the purchase
order.
Q.27): besides 5ft, we use 6ft and 8ft? do you have any other models for this kind of fixture?
Yes, we also provide solution to 6ft and 8ft existing fixture.
Q.28): We are using rapid start ballast, can we use EcoLight T5?
Yes. We provide two solutions to the fixture with rapid start ballast.
Q.29): If there is no ballast, can we use EcoLight T5?
Yes. The EcoLight T5 can be regarded as standard T5 fittings with built‐in electronic ballast.
Therefore, existing ballast can be either removed or remain inside the luminaries.
Q.30): We are using shared ballast, 1 ballast for 2 tubes, can we use EcoLight T5? If so, what can
we do?
Yes.
We provide solutions to series (shared) ballast configuration.
Q.31): We have a special kind of fixtures with a small tombstone or diffuser, your EcoLight T5 has
got a reflector which is too big. Are there any other models that can fit this kind of fitting?
Yes.
You can either use our T5 product without reflector or our T8 adaptor with small casing.
Q.32) Are the EcoLight T5 series also available without reflector.
Yes, we have wingless design (without reflector).
Q.33): If our light fitting is hanging on the wall vertically and your EcoLight T5 has got a reflector,
which will face horizontally but will not face downward. In this case, what can we do if using
EcoLight T5?
The EcoLight T5 fixture end is connected with rotational caps. The unique design of rotational cap
makes the product applicable to the fixture with different angle of lamp holder. The rotational cap is
adjustable to a position which is best fitted to your environment.
Q.34): What is your production capacity of ECOTUBE and EcoLight T5
EcoLight T5 300,000 / Month
ECOTUBE 600,000 / Month
Q.35): We've installed a few units of T5/28FSE in a fridge unit. We find the tube is not as bright as
fitting in the normal fixtures. Do you know the heat tolerances of the lamps?
Our product is designed to operate in ambient temperature raging ‐15C to +50C.
The lamp will dim at low temperatures or may switch off.
This is a physical feature of the T5 lamp.
In general, the lamp will achieve maximum light output if the surface temperature of the tube is
around 35ºC. If the ambient temperature decreases to negative temperatures like the environment,
the light output will decrease as well.
Q.36)The savings sound incredibly good . How can the savings be achieved?
The additional power losses of T8 and T12electro‐magnetic ballasts are much higher then the
power losses of the EcoLight T5 system. Furthermore the tubes of T8 / T12 systems require more
power than T5 systems. The savings combined can be as high as 63%.
Q.37) How does switching the fixture ON/OFF influence the lifespan of the T5 system?
In general, every power on and power off will shorten the life time of a lighting system. But this also
depends on the design of tube and electronic ballast. If EcoLight T5 is applied to some critical
environment, we highly recommend you use our FSE or FAU model.
Q.38) How much energy can EcoLight T5 save when compared with T8 and T12
Electro‐magnetic ballast fittings?
The savings are up to 52% on a T8 system and up to 63% on a T12 system.
Q.39) What are the advantages of using T5 electronic ballast (T5 EcoLight Retrofit
Fixture) when compare with conventional magnetic ballast?
Advantage of using T5 EcoLight Fixture:
• Energy Saving up to 63%
• Protection function
• Protection of eye vision
• Enhanced colour; No lumen loss
• Lamp’s lifetime extended
• Short payback period
• User friendly
• Quiet Operation
• Immediate Start; No surge current
• Low Harmonic distortion < 20%
• Operation Frequency > 35KHz
• No flickering
• Reversible retrofitting
• Quick Installation
• Comply with T8, T9, T10 and T12 Fixtures
• Wide application voltage
• High power factor > 0.95
Q.40) Is it possible to install the EcoLight Fixture without removing the
Power Factor correction Capacitor?
Yes! It is possible for Standard Model (FSE) and Advanced Mode Model(FAU,FAH) only.