Single-Ended vs. Dual-Ended LED Tubes: Diagnosing Your Current Lighting Wiring

For Facility Managers (FMs) and business owners looking to upgrade your fluorescent tubes or upgrading to more energy efficient LED tube, retrofitting the new tubes into your existing fittings is the most cost-effective and straightforward option.

However, before you make any decision, there's a more fundamental and potentially dangerous question: What is the current wiring configuration of your existing fluorescent fixtures?

Installing the wrong LED tube into the wrong fixture is a common mistake that risks electrical hazards and instantly voids product warranties. Here at Brite, we are here to share more on this and guide you through diagnosing your current lighting systems.

What is Single-Ended and Dual-Ended LED Tubes?

• Single-Ended LED Tube (SEC): The Live (L) and Neutral (N) conductors must be wired directly to the same tombstone (socket) pins on only one side of the fixture. The pins at the opposite end of the tube are electrically dead (non-functional).

  
  

  As a result, heat is concentrated at one end, which can, potentially impact the lifespan of the components compared to DEC

  
  

• Dual-Ended LED Tube (DEC): The Live (L) power is wired to the pins at one side of the tube, and the Neutral (N) power is wired to the pins at the opposite side. This method provides better heat management and allows for higher luminous efficacy (lumens per watt) in premium models.

Why Do You Need to Know This?

Installing the wrong tube into the wrong wiring system (single-ended tube into a double-ended supply fitting) can potentially cause an electrical hazard will short the circuit. This will trip the circuit breaker, and lose power to the entire circuit. If the circuit fails to trip fast enough, it may cause overheating and worse, arcing, sparking and a risk of fire.

As the FM, your immediate task is not to choose a tube, but to diagnose the wiring type to determine the safest and correct wiring path for your electricians.

A Facility Manager's Quick Diagnostic Guide

Since you cannot test the fixture electrically without tools, here are simple ways FMs can gather necessary information for their electrical contractor:

1. Trace the Wiring: If the fitting on has wires entering in on both sides, it is dual-ended supply. Vice Versa, if the fitting has both wires only on one side, it is a single-ended power supply.

   
   

2. Manufacturer Specs: Look for the model number on the box or on your existing tube light and do a quick search on the specifications of the tube light.

The Performance Advantage: Why DEC is Ideal for Offices

Once your electrician has diagnosed and rewired the fixture safely, you can choose the best performing tube. For most Singapore offices and retail spaces, the Dual-Ended Connection (DEC) tube is recommended not only for superior performance but also allows use to utilise the Energy Efficiency Grant.

DEC Advantage	Benefit for Office & SME
Superior Thermal Management	Less heat buildup at the contact points reduces stress on components, translating to a longer LED lifespan and lower rate of replacement.
Optimal Light Quality	By distributing the power across the full length, DEC tubes often provide more uniform light output, reducing staff eye strain and increasing productivity in the workplace.
Robust Design	Many premium-grade, EEG-approved LED tubes utilise a DEC design to handle higher efficacy (lumens per watt), providing the strongest energy savings required for BCA Green Mark and sustainability goals.

Subsidise Your LED Upgrade with the EEG Grant

The Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG) provides eligible SMEs with 70% funding for pre-approved equipment. Explore our BRITE LED Tube Lights that are eligible for the EEG by clicking on the images below:

Brite ensures safety and savings: We provide only the highest-quality, EEG-approved LED solutions that guarantee a compliant and long-lasting installation, regardless of your initial fixture type.

Contact Brite today for a Complimentary EEG Eligibility and Technical Audit! Call us at 67539553 or email enquiry@brite.sg to start your energy-saving journey.

Secure your 70% grant today with BRITE!