Lutron Fluorescent Ballasts: All the Info You Need

For decades, you could rely on Lutron fluorescent ballasts to provide quality lighting every time you stepped into a room. But there comes a time when your ballasts no longer perform like they should, making you wonder if it’s time to replace or upgrade. As one of the few authorized Lutron lighting consultants, we’re here to answer your questions and help you find a solution that keeps the lights on.

List of Dimmable Fluorescent Ballasts

Over the years, Lutron has created nearly a dozen distinct lines of fluorescent ballasts. If you aren’t sure which kind of ballast you own, check out the Lutron ballast guide.

  • Lutron EcoSystem® (T8 linear, T8 U-bent, T8 linear reduced wattage, T5 HO linear, T-5 linear, T5 twin tube)
  • Lutron EcoSystem® H-Series (T8 linear, T8 U-bent, T5 HO linear, T5 linear)
  • Lutron EcoSystem® Compact (T4 4-pin quad tube CFL, T4 4-pin triple tube CFL)
  • Lutron Hi-Lume®
  • Lutron Hi-Lume® 3D (T8 linear, T8 U-bent, T5 HO linear, T-5 linear, T5 twin tube)
  • Lutron Tu-Wire® (T8 linear, T8 U-bent, T4 4-pin quad tube CFL, T4 4-pin triple tube CFL)

Lutron Fluorescent Ballast History: When Were They Used?

Decades ago, Lutron created the first electronic dimming ballast in the world. And by the late 90s and early 2000s, Lutron fluorescent ballasts reached peak popularity for their cost-effective and energy-saving performance.

So, if your building was built or renovated in the last 30 years, there’s a good chance your ballasts were designed and manufactured by Lutron.

Dimmable Ballast Applications: Lighting & Automation Use Cases

A dimmable ballast can be utitlized in various settings. Commercial buildings often utilize dimmable ballasts to save money and energy.

  • Conference rooms
  • Classrooms and lecture halls
  • Theaters
  • Houses of worship
  • Control rooms
  • Workstations
  • Offices
  • Hotel lobbies and guest rooms
  • Call centers
  • Convention areas
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Are Lutron Fluorescent Light Ballasts Obsolete? (Alternative Solutions)

Nothing lasts forever, and that includes fluorescent ballasts. While yours may be working fine right now, the truth is that Lutron fluorescent ballasts are obsolete. Therefore, it’s a good idea to replace your ballasts before it’s too late.

Many dimmable fluorescent ballasts wire differently than an LED, so a replacement or conversion MAY require you to rewire or rip out the entire infrastructure so you can do it over. This can be a slow and costly process.

Another option is to leverage a C-Flex kit to upgrade your lamps. It’s an easier electrical process that’s plug and play, all within the bounds of your fixture.

Cross Reference Guide for Discontinued Ballast Models

Not sure if your ballast model is still manufactured by Lutron? Check out the Lutron cross reference guide to see all the discontinued ballast models. It lists everything, including the EcoSystem® H-Series, Eco-10®, Tu-Wire®, Hi-lume®, Compact SE™, and Eco-10® TVE.

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Lutron Fluorescent Ballasts: Pros & Cons

If you’re still wondering whether it’s worth to upgrade your Lutron fluorescent ballasts, here are some pros and cons of keeping them.

Pros

  • High-performance dimming
  • Flexible in any space
  • Energy savings

Cons

  • Obsolete
  • Nearly impossible to fix
  • Difficult to replace

Upgrade to C-Flex

Take your Lutron fluorescent ballasts to new heights with C-Flex. This kit is the most cost-effective way to transform your obsolete ballasts into a powerful lighting solution. You can get C-Flex added to your current ballasts with Paratus. Fill out our form to start the process.