Everything to Know About LED UltimaT8 Tube Battery Backup Lights

One of your most important responsibilities as a manager of public or commercial spaces is to ensure adequate emergency lighting for your building. People’s lives and safety hinge on your choices – as does your company’s compliance with insurance policies, local fire codes and other regulations.

For over 30 years, TCP has been committed to producing high-quality, energy-efficient LED lighting options that illuminate brilliantly, reliably and safely. Our UltimaT8 LED Tubes with built-in emergency battery backup lighting are the smartest option for leveling up your building’s safety as you transition away from outdated fluorescent lights.

Frequently Asked Questions About the LED UltimaT8

When the power goes out unexpectedly, 90 extra minutes of safety lighting can mean the difference between mild inconvenience and dire circumstances. That’s exactly what you get with TCP’s UltimaT8 LED lights with battery backup – an hour and a half of continued lighting in emergency mode after the regular power is gone.

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get about the benefits and features of these top-quality, high-efficiency LED lights with built-in battery backup:

What is the lifespan of LED tube lights?

One of the major benefits of switching to LED lights from outdated fluorescents and incandescents is a much longer lifespan. Our UltimaT8 tubes have a 50,000-hour rated lifespan – which equates to more than five years of worry-free illumination!

What are the energy savings of the UltimaT8?

When you compare UltimaT8 tubes to traditional fluorescent tubes, you’ll see energy savings of up to 50%. That typically translates to lower utility costs over the long run without sacrificing light quality. Plus, your specific region may offer utility rebates to save your business money beyond that efficiency.

What are the benefits of the UltimaT8 by TCP?

On top of a much longer lifespan and significant energy savings, UltimaT8 Tubes bring you two big benefits:

Emergency Back-Up Battery

If your facility doesn’t have a generator to take over when the power goes out, these battery-powered emergency lights are a necessity. Each 4-foot LED lamp features a self-contained emergency driver that continues to work after the main power source stops. The additional 90 minutes of light offer a reassuring source of safety in the dark.

Self Testing

You can test the emergency battery light at any time – like when you know a big storm is in the forecast or a heatwave threatens rolling blackouts – with a simple push of the test button. An indicator light illuminates to let you see immediately that your safety lighting is operable. This feature adds another layer of convenience and peace of mind to your regularly scheduled light testing.

What industries should use the LED UltimaT8?

UltimaT8 LED lights with battery backup are a great choice for any facility that lacks a generator but risks power outages. They’re particularly useful for spaces without windows.

Industries that have a critical interest in providing battery-powered emergency lights include:

Hospitals and Healthcare

Power outages are especially dangerous in healthcare settings. Giving staff an extra 90 minutes of light to get patients to safety or continue the operation of essential equipment can help avoid the worst outcomes.

Manufacturing Industries

Workers operating heavy machinery or handling volatile chemicals are in extreme danger when the lights go out unexpectedly. Battery backup lighting like UltimaT8 tubes can lower the risk of injury by giving them time to secure the work environment and get to safety.

Schools and Office Buildings

Many offices and educational spaces don’t have windows – meaning sudden blackouts can induce fear and pose safety risks. With 90 minutes of battery-powered emergency light, school staff have the opportunity to keep children calm as they move to a safe space, and office workers have time to locate stairwells and safe exits.

Will LED tubes work in my existing fluorescent fixtures?

Yes! These emergency backup lights are Type B tubes, which means they are designed to bypass the ballast in traditional fluorescent fixtures. The ballast served to prevent overload in fluorescent tubes that required a lot more electrical energy than LEDs. Once you become accustomed to the energy savings, even illumination and long lifespan of our UltimaT8 safety lighting, you’ll want to consider our LED retrofit kits for recessed lighting, can lights and more to easily switch over your entire facility – and rack up further savings!

What are the color temperature options for UltimaT8?

Choose UltimaT8 tubes that deliver neutral or daylight-quality lighting color temperatures. The Correlated Color Temperature – noted on light bulb boxes as CCT – has nothing to do with heat output. Rather, it indicates how yellow or blue the light will skew. Options for these LED lights with battery backup include:

• 3500K – neutral white light for a more energetic feel
• 4000K – neutral white light for reading, food prep and other detailed work
• 5000k – sunlight-mimicking light with a slight blue hue for specialty work

Note that all UltimaT8 safety lighting features a Color Rendering Index of 80. This feature makes them an excellent choice for workplaces that rely on accurate color coding and spaces that value the importance of high CRI light bulbs for creating a comfortable and natural-feeling environment.

Expert Help Choosing Safety Lighting

Not sure if UltimaT8 LED lights with battery backup are the right choice for upgrading your facility? The pros at TCP are always happy to help! Reach out to us for help pricing your lighting project, locating a distributor in your area, starting your order or understanding how battery-powered emergency lights work. Let’s make beautiful lighting together!