Shunted Vs Non Shunted Lamp Holders

This type of socket is used with sunco led t8 tubes and also in dimming ballasts programmed or rapid start ballasts.

Shunted vs non shunted lamp holders. In non shunted lampholders or tombstones current flows through multiple paths and in shunted tombstones current flows through a single path. While the non shunted sockets have separate contacts or points of entry for the wires creating two tracks for the electrical current to travel. There is a huge difference between shunted and non shunted t8 and t12 sockets using the wrong type can end with disastrous results. Compatibility with shunted and non shunted sockets make thinklite led lamps not only easier to install than other options but they are also a safer choice as verified by all three regulatory bodies ul dlc and osha.

Rapid start programmed start and dimming ballasts use non shunted lampholders to provide power through the lamp s cathodes before the lamp is turned on. Sunco uses non shunted tombstones for our direct wire led t8 tubes. Electrical current flows through multiple tracks or paths in a non shunted tombstone. This unique construction allows direct connection with both non shunted and shunted sockets those that have the wire holes only on one side.

There is the option to externally shunt a non shunted socket with wires if you re looking to adapt a non shunted socket for an instant start ballast. Shunted sockets have contacts that are joined or connected. Shunted socket non shunted socket commercial light fixtures shunted tombstones shunted lamp holders non shunted lampholders fluorescent tubes plug and play led tube direct wire led tube lights led t8 led t12 fluorescent t8 fluorescent t12. Don t worry with our video guide we explain the difference.

Their contacts are not connected or joined. But frankly you may be better off buying new shunted sockets to avoid a lot of wiring work especially if you have a large number of sockets to manually shunt.