Fluorescent Light Type

Type of Bulb	Lighting Size	Bulbs per fixture
T12 = Flourescent T12	8 ft = 8 foot long fixture	1 bulb p/fix = 1 Flourescent Bulb Per Light Fixture
T12: U-shape = Flourescent T12	4 ft = 4 foot long light fixture	2 bulb p/fix = 2 Flourescent Bulbs Per Light Fixture
T8 (32W) = 32 Watt Flourescent T8	2ft = 2 foot long light fixture	3 bulb p/fix = 3 Flourescent Bulbs Per Light Fixture
		4 bulb p/fix = 4 Flourescent Bulbs Per Light Fixture

Tips for Selecting Flourescent Lights

Picking: T12 lights vs T8 lights?

You can tell the difference between T12 lights vs T8 lights just by looking up at the fixture. T12 lights are noticeably thicker (and usually older). A T12 light is 1 1/2 inches across, or about the length of your full thumb. A T8 light is 1 inch in diameter, or about half the length of your thumb.

T12 on right, T8 on left

If you have acess to the replacement bulbs, look on the bulb or the box for the code.

F40T12 = a T12 F32T8 = a T8

F28T8 = also a T8

Are my T8 Flourescents 32W or 28W?

The only real way to tell if your T8 lights are 32W vs 28W are the following: a) Look at the replacement bulbs. Your maintenance closet probably has extra bulbs in it. If so, look on the box. It will say. If not, the light bulb code printed on the fluorescent tube itself will tell you. It may say 28W or 32W near the light code. *Be Careful* - Just because the T8 lightbulb code says F32T8 does not mean it is 32W. First, look on the bulb for the light wattage. If all it says is F32T8 without mentioning wattage, then you can assume it is 32W.

For example:

25 Watt T8	28 Watt T8	32 Watt T8
Says 25W	Says 28W	Just says F32/T8