U-Lamps

Simplified sign construction and tremendous versatility make Voltarc’s TUFBEND® U-lamps the sign-maker’s choice for high-output, fluorescent U-lamps for exterior signs.

The U-Lamp fluorescent sign lamp is the simple, straightforward solution to the most difficult fluoresent sign lamping applications. It simplifies sign construction using non-rectangular shapes. They require support at only one end and provide just the right amount of light from the opposite bent end.

Voltarc also offers a complete range of mounting hardware. Click right here to learn more about our Mounting Hardware!


Challenging Sign Applications?U-Lamps 1
Not a Problem With Voltarc’s U-Lamps

Many applications present challenges in sign-making, but you can meet the challenge with high-performing U-lamps. For large letters, our U-lamps give shadowless lighting in curved areas and can be used in combination with straight lamps. For irregular shapes and odd-shaped frames – anything from a large letter “M” to a cowboy hat to a giant cactus – our U-lamp provides precise illumination. These advantages have long made the TUFBEND® U-lamp series the industry standard!

Less Cost Combined With Less Maintenance

bank sign using U-LampsSignmakers can cut their labor and material costs up to 50 percent with the tough, heavy wall  glass and patented stabilizing brace found in TUFBEND® U-Lamps. They have literally changed the nature of sign design, construction and maintenance. Because the U-lamp does twice the work of similar straight lamps – at far less cost and with less maintenance – sign-makers and service providers have far more design freedom, with sockets in the same plane and requiring only one raceway, in the process eliminating cross-wiring and providing far more latitude in sign shape and size. Where a sign-maker might need to use two rows of straight lamps, thus causing a pale shadow, U-lamps eliminate this problem and allow for simplified electrical and sheet metal work, with fewer ballasts, sockets and lamps to buy and install. The overall effect is significantly lower sign construction costs.

Odd shapes, protrusions, small areas, corners, angles, curved faces and other hard-to-light areas are no problem with U-lamps. Lamp overlap is not needed to achieve bright, even illumination. And the TUFBEND® U-lamp’s bent ends fill space that might otherwise require the installation of straight lamps.

To learn more, take a look at our education and FAQ section to view basic information about installation, transport and handling of fluorescent sign lamps.

TUFBEND® U-Lamps (6″ Leg Spacing)
All TUFBEND® lamps ending in the suffix “CT” are specifically designed for use in cold temperature applications and will perform satisfactorily on existing ballasts at cold temperatures (<60°F). They are etched “for cold temperature use only”.

Cool White
Part #
Description Day Light
Part #
Description DSN50
Part #
Description
13001 FTU6-24T12/CW/HO 13002 FTU6-24T12/D/HO 13003 FTU6-24T12/DSN50/HO
13004 FTU6-36T12/CW/HO 13005 FTU6-36T12/D/HO 13006 FTU6-36T12/DSN50/HO
13007 FTU6-48T12/CW/HO 13008 FTU6-48T12/D/HO 13009 FTU6-48T12/DSN50/HO
13010 FTU6-60T12/CW/HO 13011 FTU6-60T12/D/HO 13012 FTU6-60T12/DSN50/HO
13013 FTU6-72T12/CW/HO 13014 FTU6-72T12/D/HO 13015 FTU6-72T12/DSN50/HO
13016 FTU6-84T12/CW/HO 13017 FTU6-84T12/D/HO 13018 FTU6-84T12/DSN50/HO
13139

FTU6-96T12/CW/HO/CT

13138 FTU6-96T12/D/HO/CT 13021 FTU6-96T12/DSN50/HO/CT
13022 FTU6-120T12/CW/HO 13023 FTU6-120T12/D/HO 13024 FTU6-120T12/DSN50/HO
Lamp2
Designation
Nominal
Bent Length
Actual Bent Length to Socket Lamp
Watts
Rated3
Life (hrs.)
Lumens1 Cool White Base Mounts Rod Shipping Weight per Case Lamps  per Case
FTU6-24T12/HO 12″ 10 1/2″ 36 9,000 1,600 FTU6/HO FTU24 4 6
FTU6-36T12/HO 18″ 16 1/2″ 48 9,000 2,750 FTU6/HO FTU36 6 6
FTU6-48T12/HO 24″ 22 1/2″ 60 12,000 4,000 FTU6/HO FTU48 7 6
FTU6-60T12/HO 30″ 28 1/2″ 75 12,000 5,125 FTU6/HO FTU60 10 6
FTU6-72T12/HO 36″ 34 1/2″ 87 12,000 6,125 FTU6/HO FTU72 11 6
FTU6-84T12/HO 42″ 40 1/2″ 100 12,000 7,400 FTU6/HO FTU84 12 6
FTU6-96T12/HO/CT 48″ 46 1/2″ 112 12,000 8,720 FTU6/HO FTU96 14 6
FTU6-120T12/HO 60″ 57″ 132 12,000 10,650 FTU6/HO FTU120 16 6

1 Normal Lumen Rating: Daylight, 83% of Cool White, DSN50, 70% of Cool White. Ratings are approx. initial lumens at 100 hrs.

2 Ballasts: U-Lamp ballasted same as corresponding straight lamps.

3 Rated Life: The “rated life” of a statistically large group of lamps is defined as the time when 50% of the lamps have failed and 50% have survived. This is based on 3 hours of operation per start.

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TUFBEND® U-Lamps (9″ Leg Spacing)

All TUFBEND® lamps ending in the suffix “CT” are specifically designed for use in cold temperature applications and will perform satisfactorily on existing ballasts at cold temperatures (<60°F). They are etched “for cold temperature use only”.

Cool White Part # Description Day Light Part # Description DSN50
Part #
Description
13025 FTU9-36T12/CW/HO 13026 FTU9-36T12/D/HO 13027 FTU9-36T12/DSN50/HO
13028 FTU9-48T12/CW/HO 13029 FTU9-48T12/D/HO 13030 FTU9-48T12/DSN50/HO
13031 FTU9-60T12/CW/HO 13032 FTU9-60T12/D/HO 13033 FTU9-60T12/DSN50/HO
13034 FTU9-72T12/CW/HO 13035 FTU9-72T12/D/HO 13036 FTU9-72T12/DSN50/HO
13037 FTU9-84T12/CW/HO 13038 FTU9-84T12/D/HO 13039 FTU9-84T12/DSN50/HO
13141 FTU9-96T12/CW/HO/CT 13140 FTU9-96T12/D/HO/CT 13042 FTU9-96T12/DSN50/HO/CT
13043 FTU9-120T12/CW/HO 13044 FTU9-120T12/D/HO 13045 FTU9-120T12/DSN50/HO
Lamp2 Designation Nominal
Bent Length
Actual Bent Length to Socket Lamp Watts Rated3
Life (hrs.)
Lumens1 Cool White Base Mounts Rod Shipping Weight per Case Lamps per Case
FTU9-36T12/HO 18″ 15 13/16″ 48 9,000 2,750 FTU9/HO FTU36 6 6
FTU9-48T12/HO 24″ 21 13/16″ 60 12,000 4,000 FTU9/HO FTU48 8 6
FTU9-60T12/HO 30″ 27 13/16″ 75 12,000 5,125 FTU9/HO FTU60 10 6
FTU9-72T12/HO 36″ 33 13/16″ 87 12,000 6,125 FTU9/HO FTU72 12 6
FTU9-84T12/HO 42″ 39 13/16″ 100 12,000 7,400 FTU9/HO FTU84 13 6
FTU9-96T12/HO/CT 48″ 45 13/16″ 112 12,000 8,720 FTU9/HO FTU96 15 6
FTU9-120T12/HO 60″ 56 13/16″ 132 12,000 10,650 FTU9/HO FTU120 18 6

1 Normal Lumen Rating: Daylight, 83% of Cool White, DSN50, 70% of Cool White. Ratings are approx. initial lumens at 100 hrs.

2 Ballasts: U-Lamp ballasted same as corresponding straight lamps.

3 Rated Life: The “rated life” of a statistically large group of lamps is defined as the time when 50% of the lamps have failed and 50% have survived. This is based on 3 hours of operation per start.

U-Lamps Mounting Hardware
Mounting Voltarc U-lamps is easy and effective with our complete range of high-quality mounting hardware, including simple standard mounts and supports to help with quick and easy installation. We also furnish U-lamp bases complete with sockets and welded bridges to accept U-lamp support rods, which include spring-loaded hooks and assemble easily to the mounting base.

Rods
Spring loaded rods for mounting U-lamps in signs; with 2 cotter pins; 12 per carton
Part
#
Description
 U-Lamps 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12025 FTU 24″, Rod and Hook
12026 FTU 36″, Rod and Hook
12027 FTU 48″, Rod and Hook
12028 FTU 60″, Rod and Hook
12029 FTU 72″, Rod and Hook
12030 FTU 84″, Rod and Hook
12031 FTU 96″, Rod and Hook
12032 FTU 120″, Rod and Hook
12034 FTU 4 1/2″, Rod and Hoo

Closure Plates
48 per carton

 

 

Part
#
Description
U-Lamps 3 12022 Closure Plates
 

Rod Brackets
24 per carton

Part
#
Description
U-Lamps 4 12021 Rod Brackets


Bases

12 per carton

 

 

Part
#
Description Standard base
U-Lamps 5 12014 FTU6/HO base with
582A lampholder
12015 FTU9/HO base with
582A lampholder
12017 FTU6-120/HO base with
583 lampholder

 

Part
#
Description Tombstone base
  U-Lamps 6 12019 FTU6-/HO/T base with
530.6K lampholder
12020 FTU9-/HO/T base with
530.6K lampholder
 12018  FTU9-120/HO  base with
583 lampholder

 

Bridges
Bridge for 6″ or 9″ U-Lamp; 48 per carton

Part
#
Description
 U-Lamps 7 12023 FTU6 Bridge
12024 FTU9 Bridge