Help with LED bulbs / tubes?

So, I've been wanting to replace the lights in my home with led candelabra bulb for awhile now, and I just heard about LED light bulbs and LED tubes that slot straight into the current lamps/fluorescent fixtures that you have. But what about the LED driver/controller? I remember you need one of them to drive your LED light because I built a DIY aquarium LED lamp.

 

So do those LED bulbs/tubes need an LED controller? If not, then why not? Thanks.

 

Yes LED bulbs have the same lamp bases as your standard halogen bulbs. For example you can get GU10 LED bulbs, MR16 LED Bulbs and for the tubes you can get T8 LED Tubes which will all fit in you standard fixtures.

 

The majority of LED bulbs have been made for compatibility with standard light fittings and hence are said to be Retro-fitting.

 

LED drivers are used for Low voltage led bulb dimmer  such that need to be run of a 12V supply and not the usual mains supply of 240V. g9 led bulb  drivers are used to replace a transformer or be put in if there is no transformer at all. So the LED bulbs you will need a LED driver for is the G5.3/MR16 LED bulbs. The Gu10 LED bulbs dont require a driver as they run of the mains.

 

However, if you already have a transformer and want to save a little money (LED drivers cost around ￡6-10), you don't really need to purchase a LED driver, however it is recommended you do.

 

I believe it's built into the light bulb because they're trying to make the produce consumer friendly, and not make people buy new hardware just to be able to use their light bulbs.

 

but please double check, each company has different products, so make sure you don't need one when buying, the best way to go about this is to buy it from a hardware store where you can talk to someone about it before you buy it, like homedepot or lowe's .

 

Should I use led tubes at home?