60cm LED Tubes

60 cm LED tubes: the short T8 format

60 cm LED tubes are the shortest version of the T8 format and run on 9W, exactly the power needed to replace an 18W fluorescent of the same length. They take a G13 base, the classic bi-pin with 13 mm between pins, so they fit the fitting you already have without touching the housing. And that is the key to this size: a 60 cm LED tube is not chosen by watts, it is chosen by centimetres. It is the one that fits when the space decides.

Size and power: what a 60 cm T8 means

T8 means a tubular tube 26 mm in diameter, the same profile as the fluorescent you have always had. The 60 cm length corresponds to the tube that in fluorescent was 18W; in LED that same space is lit with 9W. Dropping the wattage does not mean falling short on light: the LED directs its output downwards instead of spreading it through 360 degrees inside the fitting.

On colour temperature you have three usual options: 3000K for warm light, 4000K for neutral light and 6000K for cool light. In kitchen units, washrooms and display cabinets the normal range is 4000K to 6000K, because you want colours to look true and the space not to turn yellowish.

Where a 60 cm tube is used

• Display cabinets, display units and shallow shop windows.
• Kitchen units and under counter lighting.
• Washrooms, bathrooms and mirror areas.
• Wardrobes, dressing rooms and small storerooms.
• Plant rooms and service cupboards.
• Illuminated signs and light boxes.
• Retail shelving, with the tube hidden in the edge.

The pattern always repeats itself: narrow, short or compartmented places where a 120 cm tube will not go. The 60 cm wins when the available space is the real limit of the installation.

How to replace an 18W fluorescent

As far as the base goes, the swap is direct: the G13 on the LED is the same as the one on the fluorescent, so the tube goes in and twists exactly the same way. The point where most people get stuck is inside the fitting. Most older gear has a starter and a ballast or choke, and when moving to LED these have to be removed or bypassed depending on the tube model. If you are not sure, have an electrician check it.

In exchange, the difference shows from the very first switch on: the LED lights instantly, with no flicker or warm up, copes well with frequent switching, something that matters in a bathroom or a plant room where the light goes on and off every couple of minutes, and contains no mercury. On service life we are talking 15,000 to 25,000 hours, against the typical 8,000-10,000 hours of a fluorescent.

How to choose yours

Measure the fitting end to end before ordering anything: if the lampholders are 60 cm apart, you need this size and not the next one up. Then decide the colour temperature according to how the space is used, and check whether your gear has a conventional or electronic ballast, because that determines which type of tube will work for you.

At FactorLED you will find 60 cm LED tubes with a G13 base and 9W ready to replace your 18W fluorescent. If you are unsure between sizes or colour temperatures, write to us and we will help you get the right tube for your installation.

Frequently asked questions about 60 cm LED tubes

How many watts does a 60 cm LED tube have?

9W. It is the power equivalent to an 18W fluorescent of the same length.

Will my old fluorescent lampholder work?

Yes. The base is G13, a bi-pin with 13 mm between pins, the same as on the traditional T8 fluorescent.

Do the starter and ballast have to be removed?

In most installations yes: the starter and ballast are removed or bypassed depending on the tube model. Check it before fitting.

Which colour temperature should I choose for a kitchen or a bathroom?

4000K if you want neutral, natural light, or 6000K if you prefer a cooler, more technical look.