LED Tube Types Explained: Type A vs Type B vs Type C
Compare Type A (ballast compatible), Type B (ballast bypass), and Type C (remote driver) LED tubes. Covers installation, cost, performance, and which to choose.
Replacing fluorescent T8/T5 tubes with LED is the most common commercial lighting upgrade. But there are three different LED tube types, each with different installation requirements and trade-offs.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Type A (Plug & Play) | Type B (Ballast Bypass) | Type C (Remote Driver) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Easiest — swap tubes | Moderate — rewire fixture | Complex — install driver |
| Ballast | Uses existing ballast | Ballast removed/bypassed | External LED driver |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Low | Highest |
| Long-term cost | Highest (ballast replacement) | Lowest | Low |
| Efficiency | Good (80-85%) | Best (95%+) | Best (95%+) |
| DLC listed | Some | Most | Most |
| Rebate eligible | Sometimes | Usually | Usually |
Type A: Plug and Play
Type A LED tubes work with your existing fluorescent ballast. Simply remove the old fluorescent tube and insert the LED tube.
Pros:- No rewiring — fastest installation (under 1 minute per tube)
- No electrician needed
- Existing UL listing of fixture maintained
- Ballast still consumes 3-5W of power
- When ballast fails (every 3-5 years), entire fixture goes dark
- Ongoing ballast replacement cost ($30-$80 per ballast)
- Limited DLC/rebate eligibility
- Fewer compatible ballast types as they age
Type B: Ballast Bypass (Direct Wire)
Type B tubes connect directly to line voltage (120V-277V), bypassing or removing the ballast entirely.
Pros:- No ballast maintenance — ever
- Maximum energy efficiency (no ballast power loss)
- Highest DLC listing rates and rebate eligibility
- Longest system lifespan
- Works with any voltage (120-277V universal)
- Requires rewiring by electrician
- Must tombstone one end (single-ended) or modify both ends
- UL listing may need re-evaluation
- 15-20 minutes installation per fixture
Auvolar's T8 4ft Type B tubes (18W) deliver 2,200 lumens at 122 lm/W — replacing 32W fluorescent tubes for 44% energy savings.
Type C: Remote Driver
Type C tubes use an external LED driver (similar to a ballast but designed for LED). The driver mounts inside the fixture and powers low-voltage LED tubes.
Pros:- Best dimming capability (0-10V smooth dimming)
- Driver can power multiple tubes
- Easiest to upgrade to newer LED technology later
- Best for controls integration (occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting)
- Highest upfront cost (tube + driver)
- Proprietary drivers may limit future tube choices
- Most complex installation
Cost Comparison: 100-Fixture Office (4-lamp troffers)
| Type A | Type B | Type C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tubes (400 pcs) | $3,200 | $2,400 | $3,600 |
| Drivers | $0 | $0 | $2,000 |
| Labor (electrician) | $0 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Total upfront | $3,200 | $4,400 | $8,600 |
| Ballast replacement (5yr) | $4,000 | $0 | $0 |
| DLC rebate | $0 | -$1,200 | -$1,200 |
| 5-year total cost | $7,200 | $3,200 | $7,400 |
Type B wins on total cost of ownership for most commercial installations.
Auvolar LED Tube Selection
| Product | Type | Length | Wattage | Lumens | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AN-T84FT | A/B compatible | 4ft | 18W | 2,200 lm | $6 |
| AN-T88FT | B (direct wire) | 8ft | 36-42W | 5,400 lm | $15 |
| AN-T5 | A/B compatible | 4ft | 24W | 3,600 lm | $9 |
| A-T8S | B (single end) | 4ft | 15W | 2,100 lm | $5 |
For commercial retrofits, we recommend Type B (ballast bypass) for the best combination of efficiency, rebate eligibility, and long-term savings. Contact us for a tube retrofit quote.
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Auvolar Engineering Team
City of Industry, California
Our engineering team has 15+ years of combined experience in commercial LED lighting design, photometric analysis, and energy-efficient building systems. We hold DLC QPL listing expertise and work directly with California utilities on rebate qualification. All technical content is reviewed by licensed electrical engineers.