Modernizing Commercial Facilities: The LED Retrofit
For facility managers and commercial property owners, converting legacy T8 or T12 fluorescent systems to LED technology is one of the most effective upgrades for reducing operating costs. LED retrofits deliver immediate energy savings, improved light quality, and eliminate ballast-related failures.
This guide focuses on the ballast bypass (Type B) retrofit method, which is widely regarded as the professional standard for shops, garages, offices, and industrial workspaces.
Why LED Retrofitting Is the Preferred Upgrade
LED technology offers measurable technical advantages over fluorescent systems in commercial environments.
- Higher Luminous Efficacy: LEDs deliver more lumens per watt, commonly reducing energy consumption by 50–60%.
- Reduced Maintenance: Ballast bypass eliminates one of the most common failure points in fluorescent fixtures.
- Environmental Compliance: LED tubes are mercury-free and do not require hazardous waste handling.
- Instant Operation: LEDs reach full output immediately and perform reliably in cold or unheated spaces.
Pre-Installation Planning and Materials
Before beginning a retrofit, confirm whether the LED tubes are single-ended or double-ended, as this determines wiring configuration.
- Type B (ballast bypass) LED tubes
- Non-shunted tombstones (required for single-ended tubes)
- Non-contact voltage tester
- Wire cutters and strippers
- Commercial-grade wire connectors
- UL-recognized retrofit warning labels
Power Isolation and Safety Procedures
De-energize the circuit at the breaker panel and apply lockout/tagout procedures when required. Use a voltage tester at the fixture to confirm that power is fully disconnected before accessing internal wiring.
Ballast Removal and Fixture Preparation
Remove the fluorescent lamps and access the ballast compartment. Cut the ballast leads as close to the ballast as possible and remove the ballast from the fixture.
Older ballasts may contain PCBs and must be disposed of according to local environmental regulations.
Socket Verification and Compatibility
Inspect the lamp holders (tombstones) before wiring.
- Single-Ended LED Tubes: Require non-shunted sockets. Shunted sockets must be replaced to prevent short circuits.
- Double-Ended LED Tubes: Typically compatible with both shunted and non-shunted sockets.
Wiring Configurations for Type B Retrofits
Type B retrofits route line voltage directly to the LED tube sockets.
- Single-Ended Wiring: Both hot and neutral are connected to the same non-shunted socket, one conductor per pin. The opposite end serves as mechanical support only.
- Double-Ended Wiring: Hot is connected to one end of the fixture and neutral to the opposite end.
All connections must be secured with approved connectors and inspected to ensure no exposed conductors remain.
Labeling, Reassembly, and Commissioning
Affix the retrofit warning label inside the fixture near the sockets. This label alerts future maintenance personnel that the fixture no longer supports fluorescent lamps.
Reinstall the fixture cover, insert the LED tubes, and restore power. Verify instant illumination and stable operation. In commercial facilities, confirm work-plane illuminance using a light meter to ensure compliance with task requirements.
Related Commercial Lighting Categories
Ballast bypass LED retrofits simplify commercial lighting systems, improve reliability, and deliver long-term energy and maintenance savings across professional environments.
Brandon Waldrop
As the lead technical specialist for our commercial lighting technical operations, Brandon Waldrop brings over 20 years of industry experience in product specification, outside sales, and industrial lighting applications.
His career began in physical lighting showrooms, where he focused on hands-on product performance and technical support. He later transitioned into commercial outside sales, working directly with architects, electrical contractors, and facility managers to translate complex lighting requirements into energy-efficient, code-compliant solutions.
Today, Brandon applies that industry experience to architect high-performance digital catalogs and technical content systems, helping commercial partners streamline the specification process and deploy lighting solutions with total technical confidence.
