Retrofitting makes a lot of sense for many spaces. While the building itself is still useful for its intended industrial purpose, the lighting fixtures could use an update anyway for cost effectiveness, efficiency and safety reasons. But what if the fixtures are fine, but are not compatible with the new bulbs? They run the risk of being unable to save on bills and energy? That’s where plug and play LED lighting comes into… play.
What are Plug and Play LEDs Used For?
Many retrofitted bulbs need to be so because the fixtures being used are simply not able to handle them. Plug and play bulbs are used for all fixtures which are able to handle the new technology without overheating, shorting or resulting in any other electrical problems for the lighting system. Plug and play LED light bulbs should be used wherever possible.
What is the Difference Between Plug and Play and Ballast Bypass?
Ballast bypass means the lighting fixture is changed so that the ballast is no longer needed. Instead of controlling the current into the bulb through the ballast, it is able to use the direct line of electricity and power it straight in.
This can be a great option for some people as it means the ballast will never fail you because it is never needed. It can also potentially save money as due to something called the ‘ballast factor’. This is when, in some systems, the ballast can lose some energy before it goes into the bulb.
However, the savings you make with the LED lighting you use will more than make up for any losses from the ballast factor. Also, there are many drawbacks to a ballast bypass.
Even from the beginning, the initial costs can pile up. The ballast process will need a certified electrician to carry out the task, especially if being done in an industrial space. Depending on the quality of the fixtures and their wiring, this may not necessarily be an easy or a quick task.
You may also need to replace the sockets which can be costly and inefficient. Once the ballast bypass is carried out, it may not even work with all LED light bulbs. This is because there is not yet an industry standard to the bypass, so different bulbs may not work with the wiring of different fixtures.
This is why retrofitting is a much better process than bypass ballast. It can be a little more expensive initially, but both the long term and short term outcomes are going to benefit you more.
Why Plug and Play is Ideal
Retrofitting is a necessary task for many lighting systems, especially in old buildings. However, if the option of plug and play LED lighting is available, then it is by far the most ideal.
The OEO EZ LED T8 is a plug and play direct replacement for T8 and T12 florescent bulbs. It fits directly into the fixture without having to bypass or retrofit. The only real downside is a slightly greater initial expense, but as it will not require an electrician to fit, you will save this money anyway.
They plug and work directly from the line, providing you instant savings on cost and energy. We have focussed so much on the negative sides of ballast bypass to show you why plug and play are better as they solve these problems. We also have our LED OMNI to replace metal halides if strip lighting is not your need, along with many others to peruse.
Our plug and play direct replacement bulbs come with a 5 year warranty and will save you up to 66% in terms of energy consumption, all while lasting up to 50,000 hours. This means less replacements are needed, no matter how easy they are to install.