Emergency drivers for LED tube lights are compact backup power supplies designed to provide 90 minutes of code-compliant illumination to fixtures retrofitted with LED tubes. When upgrading fluorescent troffers and strip lights to energy-efficient LED technology, it's crucial to include a reliable emergency driver to maintain the safety of your building's egress pathways. These drivers ensure your T8, T5, or other linear LED tubes stay lit during a power failure.
Why Your LED Tube Retrofit Needs an Emergency Driver
Upgrading to LED tubes offers significant energy savings, but it's vital not to overlook the emergency lighting system. An emergency LED driver integrates seamlessly into your retrofitted fixture, whether it’s a 2x4 troffer in an office or a strip light in a hallway. It constantly monitors the AC power and automatically switches to its internal battery to power one or more tubes when an outage is detected, ensuring the space remains safely illuminated.
LED Tube Emergency Driver: Type B vs. Type C Compatibility
Choosing the right emergency driver depends entirely on the type of LED tube you are using. These drivers are designed for ballast-bypass installations.
- For Type B (Ballast-Bypass) Tubes: This is the most common scenario. Type B tubes are wired directly to line voltage. The emergency driver is installed between the AC power source and the tube sockets. It delivers a high-voltage DC output, typically in the 170-300VDC range, to power the tube's internal electronics during an emergency.
- For Type C (External Driver) Tubes: Type C tubes operate with a dedicated external driver. You can either use a low-voltage DC emergency driver to power the tube directly or a high-voltage model to power the tube's existing external driver.
Important Note: These emergency drivers are not compatible with Type A (ballast-compatible) tubes. Fixtures using Type A tubes require a fluorescent emergency ballast.
Wiring Your LED Tube Emergency Driver
These emergency drivers for LED tubes are designed with a slim, linear case to easily fit within the narrow ballast channel of most troffers, wraparounds, and strip light fixtures. They typically come with one of the following wiring options:
- Flying Leads (Wire Leads): The most common configuration, featuring flexible, pre-stripped wires that allow for easy connections to the AC input and tube sockets using wire nuts.
- Terminal Block: Some models include a terminal block for installers who prefer a secure, screw-down connection for all wiring.
Find Your LED Tube Emergency Driver at Bees Lighting
Complete your fluorescent-to-LED retrofit with the right safety equipment. At Bees Lighting, we offer a curated selection of emergency drivers for LED tube lights compatible with Type B and Type C installations. Ensure your project is safe and code-compliant. Browse our products or call our experts at 855-305-0665 for assistance.
