There are several different factors that determine levels of efficiency.

Quality of
light measured in CRI (Colour Rendering Index), quantity of light measured in
LPW (Lumens per Watt) and CU (Co-efficiency of utilization.) The numbers being
used for CU are general for those used in the low level (12 feet and under) multiresidential environment so there can be fluctuations.
Comparing Color Rendering Index
T8 = 85CRI
T5 = 85CRI
Comparing Lumens Per Watt (LPW)
T8 = 90LPW
T5 = 99LPW
CRI levels:

LPW levels:

CU (Generally):

T12 = 62CRI T12 = 78LPW T12 = .46CU

T8 = 85CRI T8 = 92LPW

T8 = .76CU

T5 = 85CRI T5 = 103LPW T5 = .90CU

a. T8 is 40% more efficient than T12.
b. T5 is 51% more efficient than T12.

Yet, T5 in this environment is only 9% more efficient than T8. This

would never justify the substantial increase in fixture, lamp and ballast
costs.

General Assumptions of Cost

Consider that a standard 4 foot T12 lamp costs between $1.25 and
$2.00, a standard T8 lamp between $1.75 and $2.50 and a standard T5
lamp costs between $5.50 and $10.50. T5 costs significantly more than
T8 and does not outperform it by the same margin. In fact, in many
applications, the performance differences are negligible. Furthermore,
all lamps are equally weighted with an average life of 20 000 hours.
General Assumptions of Cost:

T12 = lowest lamp, ballast and fixture cost

T8 = approx. 20% more expensive than T12

T5 = 3-4 times the cost of T8

Electronic vs. Magnetic ballasts

Eley et al. (1993) describe the advantages of electronic ballasts:
Electronic high-frequency ballasts increase lamp-ballast efficacy, leading to increased
energy efficiency and lower operating costs. Electronic ballasts operate lamps using
electronic switching power supply circuits. Electronic ballasts take incoming 60 Hz power
(120 or 277 volts) and convert it to high-frequency AC (usually 20 to 40 kHz). Electronic
ballasts are more efficient than magnetic ballasts in converting input power to the proper
lamp power, and their operating of fluorescent lamps at higher frequencies reduces end
losses, resulting in an overall lamp-ballast system efficacy increase of 15% to 20%.
Electronic ballasts have a number of other advantages over magnetic ballasts. Electronic
ballasts are readily available that operate three or four lamps, allowing the use of a single
ballast in 3-lamp and 4-lamp luminaires. This reduces both installation and field wiring labor

costs, and may negate the necessity of tandem luminaire wiring as required by the
1992 Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24).
Electronic ballasts are designed to operate lamps in either series or parallel mode. The
advantage of the parallel mode of operation is that a single lamp failure will not affect the
operation of the remaining lamps controlled by the same ballast. However, ballast losses
will increase slightly in the parallel mode. Other advantages of the electronic ballast include
reduced weight, quieter operation, and reduced lamp flicker. Electronic ballasts are directly
interchangeable with magnetic ballasts, and they are available to operate most full-size and
compact fluorescent lamps.
How can I tell whether I have a magnetic ballast or an electronic ballast?
While commercial test equipment is available for determining whether a magnetic ballast is in place, there is an
inexpensive do-it-yourself test that can be done with your cell phone!
Just point your cell phone camera at the lamp, and take a picture. If the image displays dark bands or stripes,
your fluorescent lamp is driven by a magnetic ballast. A modern, electronic ballast drives the lamp at a much
higher frequency, and a picture of these lamps will be clearly different, without such bands.
The image below shows a T12 fluorescent lamp with the tell-tale bands generated by a magnetic ballast:

The image below shows a T8 fluorescent lamp with a steady glow indicating that its driven by a modern electronic
ballast.

Advantages of Using Electronic Ballasts

Electronic ballasts for fluorescent lighting systems have fast become the standard in the
industry and further advancements continue to increase the benefits of using electronic
ballasts. Following is a summary of the many advantages of electronic ballast
technology:
1. Greater Efficiency
For T8 lamps, the overall lamp/ballast system efficacy can be as much as 15% to
20% higher than magnetic ballast systems.
Electronic ballasts do not generate as much internal heat, thereby reducing losses
within the ballast itself.
In addition, the high frequency operation of the fluorescent lamp reduces the
losses in straight tube fluorescent lamps.
2. Better Control and Design Flexibility.
Electronic components allow for the light output/wattage consumption to be finetuned for
specific needs when using T8 lamps.
o Low light output ballasts (LLO) with a low ballast factor are available for
reduced energy consumption where less illumination is sufficient.
o High light output ballasts (HLO) with a high power factor are available to

reduce the number of lamps required to provide adequate illumination.

o Selector ballasts are available that have an adjustable ballast factor to
operate lamps at three levels of light output.
Electronic ballasts are available that provide continuous, flicker free dimming for
most fluorescent lamps. Dimming ranges are typically 100% to 10%, 100% to 5%
or 100% to 1%.
Note that for electronic ballasts, there is a linear relationship between wattage and
light output. Low wattage equates to lower light output and high wattage equates
to higher light output.
3. Ability to Drive More Lamps
A single ballast can drive up to 4 lamps (versus 2 lamps for a magnetic ballast).
Eliminates need for tandem wiring.
Reduces ballast cost due to need for fewer total numbers of ballasts.
4. Reduced Cooling Load
Without the core and coil, I2R losses (generated heat) are minimized and the air
conditioning load is reduced.
5. Reduced Lamp Flicker
The high frequency operation of the lamp cycles the lamp so rapidly that flicker is
imperceptible.
6. Lighter in weight
Electronic components are not as heavy as the core and coil construction used for
magnetic ballasts.
Lighting fixtures weigh less and can be more streamlined in design.
7. Quieter Operation
Electronic components do not "hum" as the core and coil components of magnetic

ballasts do.
8. End of Life Sensing
Electronic ballasts for small diameter lamps (T5 or smaller) are available that
detect the end of life of the lamp and shut it off before the lamp overheats enough
to melt sockets and cause the lamp wall to crack and break.