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Which starter do I need for my tube?

What is a starter?

A starter is a small part that helps to ignite the fluorescent parts that bring light to your fluorescent tube. The starter is implanted together with a conventional ballast as part of a fixture in which your fluorescent tube is placed. You don’t need a starter when the tube works with an electronic ballast.


How do I know if I need a new starter for my fluorescent tube?

It can be hard how to tell if a fluorescent starter is bad. Below there are a few options to find out if your starter is bad. You will need a new starter once your fluorescent tube:

  • Is flickering; this means the starter fails to ignite
  • Does not light up
  • Light up at one end only
  • Lights up at both ends, but not in the middle
  • Only lights up when you touch it

How to remove a fluorescent tube light starter?

To remove a starter it is best to press it inward and twist and turn it a quarter counterclockwise.
This should make the starter pop out of the tube light.

How can i find the starter on my fluorescent light tube?

With some fluorescent lights, it can be hard to find the location of the light starter. When you aren't able to find the starter then it is best to unplug the light or shut down the mains power. Then you can remove the deflector above the tube light and see if you can find your starter there. When the tube light starter is not placed there then you should look at the base of the tube which you might be able to disassemble.

Why does my fluorescent tube not have a starter?

Yes, some fluorescent tubes are able to function without the use of a starter. When your tube works with an electronic ballast it does not have a starter. This is for example the case with high-frequent (HF) tubes.


What fluorescent light starter types and sizes are there?

Type of starter: Used for:
S2 4 – 22W Philips Fluorescent Tubes
S2E 18 – 22W Philips Fluorescent Tubes
S10 4 – 65W Philips Fluorescent Tubes
S10E 18 – 75W Philips Fluorescent Tubes
S16 70 – 125W Philips Fluorescent Tubes

What are the advantages of a starter?

  • Quick and easy installation.
  • Extends the life of a fluorescent tube by up to 25%.
  • Environmentally friendly (free of radioactive substances and lead).
  • Flame retardant components and UV-resistant sleeve for extra safety and safe ignition.

What are the advantages of changing from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting?

A conventional fluorescent tube lasts about 20,000 hours on average. In addition, the light from a fluorescent tube shines 360 degrees around. This sounds attractive, but when mounted on a ceiling it is not very effective. After all, the fluorescent tube doesn’t need to shine upwards. A fluorescent tube always requires some start-up time when igniting and that causes flickering. People who are sensitive to this, can in the worst case get a headache or migraine. With LED fluorescent lighting this is never an issue. A LED tube is not only flicker-free, but also lasts considerably longer and has a lower wattage. This will save you up to 70% on your energy costs and will last much longer than the old average of 20.000 hours. That’s why LED lighting is much more eco-friendly!

Switch to LED Tubes and save on energy

Video tutorial about replacing a T8 fluorescent tube with a starter for a LED tube