How Do You Retrofit UL Certified Fluorescent Fixtures?
Fluorescent lighting is an energy efficient, long lasting technology that continues to improve. Lamp wattages, energy efficiency, and color rendering are much better than even a few years ago. Older fixtures are obsolete since July 1, 2005, when the old T12 magnetic ballasts in new fixtures were phased out. These ballasts will no longer be manufactured even as replacements for older fixtures by July 1, 2010. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) certified fixtures have been tested to ensure reliability and safety under the proper operating conditions, but even if UL approved, there may be newer, better options available. Turn the light switch off and flip the circuit breaker off that controls the circuit that the fixture is on in order to avoid electrical shock. Examine the lamps to see what class of lamps are in the fixture. Older T12 lamps are 1 ½ inches in diameter. Newer T8 lamps are 1 inch in diameter and T5 lamps are .625 inches. T12 lamps should be replaced with T8 or T5 lamps. Energy sa
