For the do-it-yourselfer retrofitting or upgrading your LED lampholders can be a relatively simple and easy job if you have some basic experience in working with these systems.
However, there are very specific considerations that need to be completed before the project starts, and the most important point it to make sure you have selected the correct replacement components. Simply looking at lampholders is not always going to be enough to make sure you are getting the right replacement part. Failing to use the right option can result in costly additional replacements.
Shunted or Non-Shunted
With various types of LED lampholders, specifically the common T8 and T12 options, there can be both shunted and non-shunted sockets, which may also be called tombstones because of their shape.
Just looking at the two is not always an effective way to tell the difference with all designs. In some brands and types, the shunted option will have only two holes for wires on one side at the bottom of the lampholder, while the non-shunted option will have one pair of holes on each of the sides of the bottom for a total of four holes for wires.
Another more effective way to tell the difference is to use a voltage meter and touch the positive and negative probes to the two contacts at the top of the socket. When the volt meter set on continuity, the shunted will make a noise as the two contacts are connected within the lampholder while with the non-shunted there will be no sound as they are not connected.
Follow Directions
Once you have the correct LED lampholders, you will then need to follow the directions or the retrofit instructions for your particular fixtures. These instructions are found online through the fixture manufacturer’s website, and some companies have even put out simple how-to instructional videos that are available on YouTube, making it easy to see and hear the specific process.
It will be critical to follow the steps for the retrofit installation and to avoid making any changes to the wiring or the system. If you are planning on adding additional lights to the system, you will need to make sure the system is configured correctly for the additional bulbs/ballasts that are going to be connected.
It is also important to carefully select the right tubes for the specific retrofit project and to avoid using more than the recommended tubes per luminaire. If you are not sure about any of the components or the instructions, be sure to seek help from an electrician before turning on the power to the system.