Shunted & non-Shunted T8 & T12 Sockets (Tombstones) Explained by Total Bulk Lighting

There is a huge difference between shunted and non-shunted T8 and T12 sockets, using the wrong type can end with disastrous results. Don't worry, with our video guide we explain the difference between the two and how to be be sure you are using the correct one for your lighting application. Sit back and discover the difference between shunted and non-shunted tombstones new!
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[@MoltenSamurai]

Very clear, couldn’t understand the other explanations for the life of me. Seeing inside is a must!

[@Totallightingsupply]

Glad to hear our video was helpful for you 😊Thank you for your feedback!

[@egalino1]

Best explanation of shunted versus non-shunted I've seen so far. Thanks!

[@rla1000]

Eight years later, here I am. Thanks for posting this, especially the image of the guts of shunted and non-shunted tombstones. This is exactly how I envisioned it, like an outlet with the connector between the two. so thanks for the confirmation. Now to see if I can modify my Lifelite 8040 for LED conversion.

[@Totallightingsupply]

You're very welcome! Glad you found our video informative and helpful 🙂

[@brett7011]

Thank you. Not many people know this and it's critical when retrofitting with LED Tubes.

[@aflakduc8692]

Kept shorting out my new fixtures. You stopped me from beating my head against the wall. Thanks.

[@Totallightingsupply]

Glad we could help with our video 🙂

[@UncleLoodis]

This was a huge help. The kit I got (from another vendor) had abysmal instructions, a sketchy schematic, etc. Thanks for making this video!

[@Totallightingsupply]

Glad our video was helpful 🙂

[@pitchforkpeasant6219]

@@Totallightingsupplytaking stuff apart and showing people while explaining things couldnt be more helpful. 🏆👍😁👍🏆

[@adamb2258]

This was a huge help in establishing a thorough understanding of what's involved with my LED T8 conversion. Many many thanks.

[@MichaelWilson-tx6wv]

When you talk about LED retrofit kits, you are referring to the ones that eliminate the usage of a ballast, and instead link directly to house power, Right? So you are not talking about those LED bulb replacements that just drop into the fixture and use the existing ballasts, Correct? If so, you might want to add a little bit to your video and also to your description of the video explaining that non-shunted is for LED kits eliminating the ballast, and shunted is what you use for keeping the ballast by using LED bulbs that just replace the florescent bulbs. (I think I said that right). That might prevent people from being a bit confused.

[@Sparky-ww5re]

As a general rule, shunted sockets are used with instant start ballasts, non-shunted sockets are used with preheat, trigger start, rapid start, and programmed start ballast circuits. Most electronic ballasts for F32T8 lamps, for example are instant start, but these lamps also work well on rapid start/programmed start as well as on dimmable ballasts, which are becoming increasingly rare since dimmable type B LED tubes are now readily available at reasonable cost, and the circuitry required to dim an LED tube is less complex than a fluorescent tube. A non-shunted socket can be converted to shunted with a jumper across the socket, making conversions between various circuits possible without replacing the socket.

[@Totallightingsupply]

Great info! Thank you for sharing!

[@mikeivan5947]

I own an older home, the builder in 39/40 installed centrally banked ballasts, and ran the wiring from the ballast outputs to tubes that are recessed in our reversed(upside down) crown moulding. Hides all of the tubes, it’s a really nice install. But converting the ballasts and bulbs to LED, found something O thought looked sketchy and dangerous, but I think your video cleared it up. Replacing one of the tubes, I found where someone took solid #24-ish bare conductor and wrapped it around both bulb lugs on both ends of the tube. I wonder now if that electrician installed non-shunted replacement sockets when they needed shunted ones, and cheated it by strapping the lugs/posts on the tubes themselves together. Thoughts?

[@donsvideos1985]

You could also use an LED lamp that is powered on both ends "line to one end neutral to the other end...instead of the single end power led lamps...

[@captainG0729]

Yep, that’s what I did. $9/bulb and about 15 minutes/light to convert, (remove ballast and wire up).

[@realstonekicker4371]

Thanks for the professional demo on "non-shunted" and "shunted". I have five two light fixtures that I am converting to LED and do not want to screw it up. bzzzzzz bzzzzzzzz

[@ErmaGherde]

I am not retrofitting, just need to replace a couple of broken ones because the chain hanger let go… So I was not able to “take it apart carefully“ to see where the grooves fit. I agree, a direct link to the video you mention about how to put it all together, would be helpful. This was a nicely done and clear explanation.

[@Totallightingsupply]

Thank you for your feedback. We do have other retrofit videos that may help in better understanding these old fluorescent T8 and T12 fixtures. Here is our playlist 👉 kzbin.info/aero/PL87E620EC32B70793

[@ErmaGherde]

​@@Totallightingsupply Well these are sure better than most of the KZbin DIY'ers; clear camera, good commentary and no annoying music.... But I'm just trying to replace two busted non-shunted bi-pin tombstones on a really "OLD" non-LED fixture; the wires came out when it broke. I haven't found a video to show where to put the wires in new holders. Guess I will have to take apart another intact lamp to copy. Wish I had your demo guy in my workshop ;)

[@hootinouts]

Thank you for this wonderful presentation. It explained shunted VS non-shunted in a clear and concise way.

[@Totallightingsupply]

You're very welcome 😊 Glad our video was helpful 🙂

[@johnbower]

A tube that requires a live feed to one end and neutral to the other end will work in "both" types of tombstone, but a tube that requires both live and neutral to the "same" end will only work in a non-shunted tombstone

[@Totallightingsupply]

You are correct 🙂

[@danielvertefeuille6173]

Super simple! Appreciate it sir! This was super easy to understand. Thank you!

[@Totallightingsupply]

So glad to hear our video was helpful for you 🙂

[@walterbrown8694]

The Non-Shunted "Tombstones" can be easily used in any LED configuration, since they can always be easily connected to be the electrical equivalent of a shunted tombstone.

[@Totallightingsupply]

Thank you for sharing your insight into tombstones and LED Walter!

[@mdhsabh]

NOTE!! Be sure you know what type LED tubes you have. Some require power at only one end of the tube, others require power at both ends. Connecting a light to power that's wired wrong for the light can be a disaster. It's essential to know what type of LED tube you have so that you can decide whether shunted or non-shunted sockets are right for your application.

[@juve3030]

The instructions will tell you. Some can be connected both ways.

[@geovanireyes7251]

@@juve3030 correct!

[@carnac4164]

Looks like you could make a non-shunting socket simply by snipping off the shunt wire between the two electrodes. True?

[@cthamill]

carnac4164 That is exactly what I did, the style I had allowed the two sides to remain separated when the plastic insert was reinstalled. I will be checking on the cost of non shunted posts simply for expediency.

[@adamb2258]

That's exactly what I did also. The tombstones that came with my T8 LED's didn't fit my fixture. Disassembled the old ones, snipped off the shunt and reassembled. Worked well.

[@checkyoursix5623]

Just make sure that when you "snip" the connecting shunt, the two remaining stumps of the shunt don't come in contact with one another. Best to snip in two places, leaving a gap between what's left of the two stumps.

[@abunk8691]

Made a terrible mistake one time when I wired a set for a T8 LED Bulb. I was using spare non-shunted tombstones. I did not know that the LED bulb I got is double ended and that the prongs on each end of a double ended bulb are shunted internally. Hooked both wires to each side of a non-shunted tombstone, plugged in the bulb, and turned on the power and got a blue bang at the end of the bulb that connects to the tombstone I just wired. I knew then and there I screwed up LOL. Some research into retrofit T8 LED bulbs, a new bulb and help from my father we got it wired properly for the double ended LED bulbs that are common in our country. The double ended ones is a lot more common due to them being marketed as drop in replacements for T8/T12 fluorescent bulbs after removing the starter plug.

[@Totallightingsupply]

Oh wow! Glad to hear you were able to get some help to get your lights converted to LED!

[@MichaelN77]

A direct link to the installation video would be most helpful.

[@templeofdooom]

Well considering my lights didn't explode then I guess I have the non-shunted. :) This is something I should have watched before doing the retro fit.

[@peterfuller5190]

So, I performed this continuity test (thanks for the video by the way) while the tombstone was in the ballast assembly still up in the ceiling, with the power off. Is it still a valid test or is there something connected inside the assembly that might give the appearance of being shunted while it's actually not?

[@imlkrsfn]

There could be

[@TroubledCarOwner]

I have a T8 LED tube, came packaged with the lampholder (by the store, not the manufacturer). It's a retrofit type but does have a driver for use to bypass ballasts, but since it came with the lampholder I guess why not replace the rotting old lampholder with a new one without a ballast. Saves electricity. The instruction was clear, and my understanding of it (which could be the problem here) is that it's quite straightforward. I mean, I followed the diagram and all. Wired it, Earth and everything, snap the bulb in, and had a momentary flash and then it goes dead. Plugged the tube in to another fluorescent fixture just to be sure, and it is dead. It has got non-shunted tombstones, and the LED is double ended. It's only got one wire running to each tombstone unlike the fluorescent one. What could be wrong?

[@Totallightingsupply]

I would contact the store you purchased the product from :)

[@TroubledCarOwner]

I thought so. Thanks.

[@jaygee1569]

If I have the non-shunted T8 fixtures already for my existing T8 tubes, can I just put a T8 LED buib into it? I have the black wire loop between the two holes (inner holes) and the black and white leads in the outer holes.

[@Totallightingsupply]

it depends on your T8 LED Bulb. Is it Type-A, Type-B, Type-A+B or Type C. You will need to make sure you are retrofitting your fluorescent light fixture to the correct electrical configuration required by the T8 LED Bulb you are installing. Hope that helps 🙂

[@tinak5027]

Hi. My UVB T8 18 inch bulbs keep burning out on one end. Is it the ballast or the sockets? And thank you for your videos.

[@jonlee2186]

Excellent presentation. Thanks for the education.

[@Totallightingsupply]

Glad you enjoyed the video 🙂

[@andycain4038]

Great video. You sound like Brett Spiner

[@Totallightingsupply]

Glad you liked our video 😃

[@digitaldood5252]

Thank you!! Saved me from earning the nickname 'Sparky'!!

[@Batman-nf4nn]

If one needs, how do one remove the cable from the tombstone ? I tried pulling it not too hard it does not come out, doess it have a trick ? How is it ?

[@Totallightingsupply]

One of the ways we have found is rotating it while pulling out gently on the wire and it slowly comes out. This may also break the wire so be careful 🙂

[@riazmoosa8320]

Excellent explanation... Plse keep us informed with more vids... Learnt so much from these videos... Thank you

[@Totallightingsupply]

You're very welcome! Have a blessed day 🙂

[@ammaralyasiri4191]

where use shunted and non shunted socket can you explain florescent type

[@Totallightingsupply]

For converting to LED, Shunted sockets work best in the dual end retrofit method and non-shunted work in single end retrofit method. Hope that helps 🙂

[@goofball6180]

@@Totallightingsupply I am confused by your comment _"Shunted sockets work best in the dual end retrofit method."_ I read several of your comments in your "EZ LED T8 Fluorescent 2-Tube light Conversion in 5 minutes or less by Total Bulk Lighting" video where you said that for dual-end retrofit, the type of tombstone does not matter. Did I misunderstand? Which type of tombstone is needed for dual-end? (Of all the considerations when doing this project, the information on type of tombstone needed is the hardest to glean. I've watched your video twice and although I'm crystal clear on the difference between the two types of tombstones, I still don't know which one is needed for single-ended tubes vs double-ended tubes.) Thank you very much for your help.

[@Totallightingsupply]

@@goofball6180 It can be confusing for sure. It's all about the flow of electricity and the type of LED T8 Tube you are using. Single end LED T8 are powered only on 1 side of the tube so the Hot and Neutral come into the tube through one side and through each separate pin. A hot pin and a neutral pin. You have to use sockets / tombstones that have hot for one port of the tombstone and neutral for the other port. Double End LED T8 are more flexible and the sockets / tombstones can be wired electrically so the double end LED T8 tubes can work with either shunted or non-shunted tombstones. Using non-shunted tombstones can be a bit more challenging when using double end LED T8 tubes for people who have little to no electrical knowledge if you have to replace tombstones due to it being brittle or damaged. So we recommend shunted because it keeps it simple for most applications. If you follow the wire diagram for double end powered LED t8 tubes you can't go wrong. Hot on one side of the fixture and neutral on the other side. If you are still uncertain it may be best to hire an electrician. Hope this helps 🙂

[@goofball6180]

@@Totallightingsupply Thanks. Working with one of your Support Team members now. I have a T12 4-lamp fixture. Turns out I have two (dual) ballasts and two wall switches in separate locations. I understand the diff between single- and double-end-powered tubes but still making sure I understand the wiring. Looks like I have 6 wires (2 red, 2 blue, 2 yellow) on each end to connect: 6 wires on left to connect to hot wire; 6 wires on right to connect to neutral wire, for a double-end LED tube retrofit. Right?

[@Totallightingsupply]

@@goofball6180 That does sound correct but Dual ballasts can be tricky when dealing with wall switches and circuits but our support is the best and they will be able to help you with your setup 🙂

[@stevenpringle7813]

I bought a bunch of fixtures with the replaceable T8 tubes in them and they turned out to be powered from only one end and are called singled ended. I installed them and noticed that one tube was bad so I went back to the store to buy a replacement and it seems like you can't even buy them. All the ones in the stores I believe are double ended which means they receive power to both ends. They don't even bother saying on the package that they are double ended but it looks like they are. Is there a reason I can't seem to find single ended T8 tubes in the stores, or am I just looking at the wrong stores. Thanks.

[@Totallightingsupply]

Double end are easier to install and don't necessarily require replacing the tombstones making it less labor and parts to install. This has allowed double end to gain in popularity and market share.

[@stevenpringle7813]

@@Totallightingsupply Do the double ended tubes require a ballast in the fixture like the fluorescent fixtures have? I don't want the ballast as I have always had issues with them failing with the fluorescent lights. I want everything contained in the tube just like the light bulbs are so that when they fail everything is replaced. It seems like the single ended tubes are like this. Thanks for the reply

[@Totallightingsupply]

@@stevenpringle7813 Always check with the manufacture's specs but our double end powered T8 LED Tubes each come with an integrated LED driver that converts the power from AC to DC power. So there is no need to install a separate ballast to power our double end powered LED tubes. Makes it super easy to install and replace tubes :)

[@farrukhnaeem4449]

which material is used inside strips on lamp holder just confirmed me is it copper,phosphorus bronze or any other??

[@joemckenna9644]

It sure seemed that you said first that LEDs tombstones should be wired hot at one end and neutral at the other. Toward the end you showed one hot and one neutral going into each tombstone. I’m confuse$.

[@Totallightingsupply]

Non-shunted tombstones are typically wired to have a hot and neutral as the contacts in the tombstone are not shunted together. Hope that helps 🙂

[@rosstodorovic4438]

So, if I'm retro fitting a light say in a variety store fridge where there is no fixture... what would be the best solution if I want to change out florescent lights to LED. I need a tombstone but there isn't a fixture for LED's. The tombstone will be mounted to the ceiling area of the walkin fridge.

[@roberttowell3177]

Good video. I assume that the it does not matter what type of socket is at the other end, since it is not used anymore?

[@joceephusofmaynard4304]

Correct, If the led bulb is single powered the opposite socket would only be there for mechanical support and not part of the circuit. On dual powered led tubes both sockets would use the existing tombstones that are most likely shunted.

[@goofball6180]

@@joceephusofmaynard4304 For double-ended (dual-powered) tubes, does it MATTER if the tombstones are shunted or non-shunted?

[@joceephusofmaynard4304]

@@goofball6180 No, it shouldn’t matter.

[@PugFaceMusic]

can you just snip the connection to convert shunted into non shunted?

[@mystuff1405]

Now somebody comes along and puts a fluorescent tube in your setup what happens?

[@samsmith6169]

The tube immediately burns out.

[@alexcp929]

Rather than buying a multimeter, you can also just open up the tombstone from the back and look inside to see if the two sides are connected

[@BOBBY-et9xb]

i wanted to convert ordinary flourescent to led. i was offered what my supplier said was an LED fitting with tube and starter. is that correct. the marking on the led tube read 23W/LED

[@fmradio42]

why does my fluorescent light only stay on for 1 minute then comes on 5 minutes later and repeats. I put in a new ballast, same thing.

[@Totallightingsupply]

Hmm could be the fluorescent lamps. You need to make sure you are using the correct lamps for the ballast. If it is T8 fluorescent this may be a good time to convert the fixture over to LED T8. We have Universal A+B T8 LED tubes that are plug and play work with fluorescent T8 electronic ballasts without rewiring. Here is a video on those LED T8 tubes 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/roGypmCgiLmlhsU

[@MsSameproblem]

Do you see there being a standard? led tubes with power to one end or both?

[@Totallightingsupply]

At this time we do not see a standard but have seen both methods performed in the field.

[@bryantfalk9823]

What camera are you using to make this video? Is it like a Go Pro on your head? I think it looks great! Also found the information really useful thanks for that as well.

[@Totallightingsupply]

We use a few different cameras and GoPro is one of those cameras 🙂 Glad you liked the video 😃

[@michaeltubbs4606]

It would have been helpful to see how you get the back off of that thing.

[@Totallightingsupply]

It's not designed to come off. We broke it off to show the inner workings 🙂

[@Shiznaft1]

Great resource, thank you!

[@Totallightingsupply]

You are very welcome! Glad our video was helpful 🙂

[@MrSoccerman4u]

Great video

[@Totallightingsupply]

Glad you liked it 🙂

[@electricroundup8300]

Perfect Explanation.........Thumbs Up............

[@bryanbatts]

Very nice explanation. Thanks!

[@touchofexcellence7980]

You also forgot to mention the fixture can be a 277 volt in larger buildings!

[@Totallightingsupply]

That is a great point! Thank you for your feedback on the 277volt 🙂

[@arrowstheorem1881]

When are non-shunted fluorescent tubes used?

[@adriannaanderson326]

Cosmo Joh

[@ryanherman1614]

absolute perfect to understand...thank you.!

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

You could just snip the metal connector to make the socket non-shunted.

[@ROBERTELECTRIC1]

Thank you. Very helpfull.

[@sssttt6533]

What is the shunted socket used for ?

[@Totallightingsupply]

Shunted sockets are used most commonly in fluorescent T12 or T8 light fixtures.

[@sssttt6533]

Total Lighting Supply Thank you

[@mikel4510]

Sss Ttt - TLS is not quite right. The shunted tombstones are used ONLY in Instant Start fluorescent fixtures and LED tubes called "plug & play" that can only be used with Instant Start fluorescent fixtures. If you buy shunted tombstones you will have to buy an instant start fluorescent ballast, too.

[@TeeRich_]

Omg thank you so much

[@Totallightingsupply]

You're very welcome 🙂

[@DOLRED]

Thanks for this video!

[@wesgillespie9263]

just cut the connecting copper then its non shunted. no need to buy new ones.

[@MrEvtmazda]

That's exactly what I was thinking and probably what most LED installation manuals say to do

[@richardakers6478]

Clicked on how to tell if it's bad not which one is non or not shunned

[@stephencarlsbad]

My fixture has tombstones that have 4 holes like the non shunted BUT only the yellow wires run into one tombstone and short black wires are used to jump from one tombstone to the other one right next to it on the same side of the fixture. So, in this case, they appear to be using non shunted tombstones that are in fact "shunted" by jumper wires... Stupid set up... And it is confusing as hell at first glance!

[@FunkinTwisted]

Good vid. Thank you!

[@LonZeman]

Wow great - thanks !!

[@mohammadpourheydarian5877]

job well done thank you

[@Totallightingsupply]

Thank you for the kind words 🙂

[@fvrrljr]

great explanation, great video. nice website. i Like, OLE!

[@Totallightingsupply]

Happy to hear you liked the video 🙂

[@jamalabdullah2474]

Thank you.

[@donwhitmire978]

thank you

[@KaliBlaz]

no need to waste money guys, open the damn thing and cut and isolate them.

[@ACE-gj9zq]

certified30 Sometimes the back piece of the lampholder breaks when you remove it. Taping/glueing it doesn't guarantee it won't come loose in the future because of the heat in the fixture or when replacing lamps, also you wouldn't want 120v or 277v to come in contact with the "metal" fixture. So take caution, especially with older lampholders, that have the back held on with what looks like a large staple. These usually break.

[@xxdbriderklx110xx]

Why make hot black?? Isn't hot always anything but black?

[@smamind]

I wish I had watched this before I wasted 15 bucks (for 12 pack of non shunted) and over an hour wasting figuring it on my own. I could have used my existing non-shunted sockets.

[@Totallightingsupply]

I am sorry to hear about the troubles you had with your installation but glad you found our video helpful and gained some knowledge to help with future projects 🙂

[@heynow7363]

nice

[@Kirby7601]

Luckily mines support shunted and non shunted tombstones

[@freewoodencrosses]

power does not flow, current flows

[@eliseoaguilar6337]

Deven de pasarlos en español

[@ACE-gj9zq]

Use 18 gauge "solid" wire...

[@danschenck9442]

HMM shunted one word.(one wire.) Non shunted. two words 2 (wire set up).

[@Totallightingsupply]

Thank you for sharing your insight into shunted and non-shunted tombstones 🙂

[@ra1der5]

So, I contacted this company via email to get some help selecting tombstones, a ballast, and wire. The response; “I have no idea what you need”.

[@jharette]

this is not clear for beginners, you are showing only one ended connection.

[@jamesm568]

This is why I buy LED tube lights that are compatible with a ballast because you can't get no simpler than Plug and Play.

[@Hoanghon69]

I think it may consumes more power to run with the ballast than get rid of the ballast, and also when the ballast is death we need to replace the ballast ! Am I right ? or wrong ?

[@jamesm568]

@@Hoanghon69 I have fluorescent lights that are 20 plus years old and I've never replace the ballast in them. A ballast only adds 5 watts per 2 bulbs.

[@robertheinkel6225]

James M I help out with maintenance at our church. We have a school, in addition to the church. I replace a couple of ballasts a week. The newer electronic ballasts seem to last longer. We are slowly changing over to LED bulbs. The direct plug and play bulbs are cheaper and simpler, but getting rid of the ballast seems like the thing to do.

[@zaall100]

perfect

[@Dcthetruth85]

It took me this long to figure out why my LED conversion wouldn't work

[@Totallightingsupply]

Glad you found our video helpful 🙂

[@mudpuddle5000]

I would have thought that T5 T8 and T12 were all standard fluorescent. They are all T's, they are all old, and none of them are LEDs. I'm trying to find a tear down of tombstones ... I mean there are four holes but only two wires .. so ... I'm asking myself ... For wiring LEDs .... in parallel? .... in the mean time .... you .... are explaining "the", no "a", question, but you aren't explaining any answer. I have a kind of rule where I ONLY dislike videos that are mainly, like 82%, advertising.

[@robertheinkel6225]

mud puddle On some t8 tombstones, they jump the power from one tombstone to the next one, so the first tombstone would have four wires but the one it feeds would only have two used. I have not seen that setup with t12s.

[@darlenepedigo2369]

No video, it's black. Just audio

[@Totallightingsupply]

Video is playing for us. Try restarting your app and/or device to see if that corrects the issue?

[@captmack007]

You don't know what you're talking about

[@mikel4510]

LOL! Even Amazon, the new high price leader, sells 'em for under a buck apiece. But you guys - $1.30, plus shipping, for one. ROFLMOFAO!

[@Totallightingsupply]

You can find our tombstones as low as $0.29 each here - www.totalbulklighting.com/led-lamps/t8-led-lamps/non-shunted-tombstones-sockets.html

[@8Jallin]

High price leader he said

[@3rdaxis649]

Why are some single pin sockets none shunted???

[@Jenuin]

Thank you

[@Totallightingsupply]

You're welcome 🙂

[@kueichenglee7583]

Thank you

[@Totallightingsupply]

You're very welcome 🙂