The shortest of all the most common germicidal bulbs is the G8T5.  It's a shorter size than any and can be incorporated into the smallest fluorescent light fixtures.  Because of their size and the ability to kill bacteria in the air, you'll find these bulbs used in hospitals everywhere, clinics, food handling businesses and restaurants.  It's has that purple glow you'll see in some fixtures that are high above eye level.  Look for them and you'll see them in places that need to keep bacteria at a minimum. This is especially true for hospital facilities where you find germicidal lamps in use.  This light bulb is a 12 inch version and is the small length among the various choices.  There are several other types that you might be familiar with as far as length goes.  The G15T8 germicidal is 18 inches, and the G30T8 is 36 inches.  We supply these lamps in both Sylvania and the Philips version no matter what length you have.

As with all regular fluorescent bulbs, germicidal bulbs rely on ballasts inside of the fixtures in order to make them work.  The ballast is important because it is specific for each type of lamp.  You can't change from one type of fluorescent to another without changing the ballast in most cases.  Most of the time the ballast and the lamp are matched electrically and so it's good to make sure the ballast you have is the right one for the lamp you choose. The G8T5 germicidal fluorescent light bulbs typically operate on a magnetic ballast.  It's operates off the same ballast that an F8T5 does, but that doesn't mean it should be used in that fixture.  Look for this lamp commonly used in a shielded fixture out of the way of anyone's field of view.  The reason for that is that germicidal light bulbs can cause eye damage, that's why they're always used in an indirect lighting fixture. In fact, here's a warning from the manufacturers, please take this warning seriously.

Direct/Reflected exposure of the ultraviolet energy from this lamp to eyes/skin should be avoided to prevent serious burns. Protection should be provided by clothing, gloves, opaque materials, & ordinary window glass. Do not use for general lighting.

Because it's a bulb that's used in many health care facilities, hospitals, food service buildings across the country, we make G8T5 germicidal a regular stock item. There will never be a time when these will not be used in applications for killing bacteria. Remember, there are many types of germicidal lighting, we have the G8T5 as one of the most common lengths used in lighting today. If you need help identifying one of these bulbs or aren't sure of its application, our customer service representatives can help you determine what you have.