PHOTOBIO TX LED 680W 100/277V S4 (10′ 277V L7-15P Cord)

The PHOTOBIO TX LED 680W is a high-efficiency commercial top light designed for both greenhouse and indoor cultivation. Running on 100–277V, it delivers 1768 µmol/s of photon flux at 2.6 µmol/J efficacy using the S4 spectrum. A closed-loop heat pipe cooling system and slim linear form factor make it well-suited for professional installations where reliability, canopy access, and rebate eligibility matter.

PHOTOBIO TX LED 680W Specifications

All figures below are drawn from manufacturer-published data for the PTB5680LS43 (S4 spectrum, 10’ 277V L7-15P cord variant).

Specification	Value
Wattage	680W
Photon Flux (PPF)	1768 µmol/s @ 277V
Efficacy (PPE)	2.6 µmol/J @ 277V
Spectrum	S4 (high-efficiency full-spectrum blend)
Input Voltage Range	100–277V
Power Cord (this variant)	10 ft, 277V, NEMA L7-15P
IP Rating	IP65 (wet location rated)
Cooling System	Closed-loop heat pipe
Driver Mounting	Remote-mountable
DLC Listing	H-8BP06EV (utility rebate eligible)
Weight	24.52 lb
Form Factor	Slim linear top light

Why Choose the PHOTOBIO TX LED 680W

The TX sits in a specific part of the commercial LED market: fixtures that need to deliver meaningful PPF output over large canopy areas without getting in the way of facility operations or sunlight in glass greenhouses. Several features make it distinctive for that application.

Efficient photon delivery. At 2.6 µmol/J and 1768 µmol/s total output, the TX generates a high volume of photons relative to the watts consumed. In facilities running lights for 18 or more hours daily, that efficiency difference compounds into meaningful savings on electricity over a growing season.

Slim linear design for canopy access and sun interference. The fixture’s narrow profile reduces shading in hybrid greenhouse environments where supplemental lighting runs alongside natural light. The same slim body also makes it easier to access the plant canopy for scouting, training, or harvest without working around a wide fixture housing.

Heat pipe cooling without active fans. The closed-loop heat pipe system wicks heat away from the diodes passively. No moving parts means fewer mechanical failure points and quieter operation compared to forced-air cooled designs. Diode longevity is closely tied to junction temperature, so effective passive cooling supports a longer useful fixture life.

DLC listing opens rebate programs. The DLC listing number H-8BP06EV makes this fixture eligible for utility energy-efficiency rebates in many U.S. jurisdictions. For commercial operators, rebate recovery can meaningfully reduce the effective cost per fixture at scale. Check your utility’s qualified products list using the DLC listing number.

Controller compatibility for precision dimming. When paired with the Autopilot PX series controller (PX2 or above), operators can dial photon output up or down to match crop stage, time of day, or supplemental light availability — without changing hardware or pulling fixtures down.

Best Uses for the PHOTOBIO TX LED 680W

The TX is built for professional-scale installations where output consistency, IP protection, and rebate eligibility all matter. It is not aimed at hobbyist or small-space grows. The following scenarios align with its design intent.

• Commercial greenhouse supplemental lighting. The slim body minimizes obstruction of incoming natural light during daylight periods, while the 100–277V range gives flexibility across different greenhouse electrical infrastructures. IP65 protection handles the humidity and condensation common in glass greenhouse environments.
• High-intensity indoor cultivation rooms. At 680W and 1768 µmol/s, the TX is sized for commercial-scale rooms running high-light crops such as cannabis, tomatoes, or peppers. The remote-mountable driver simplifies fixture layout in rooms where heat management is a priority.
• Multi-fixture grid installations. The linear form factor and controller compatibility make it straightforward to deploy in uniform rows controlled by an Autopilot PX system. Facilities running dozens of fixtures benefit from the ability to ramp the entire grid up or down through a single controller rather than managing each fixture individually.
• Facilities targeting utility rebates. For operators where rebate ROI is part of the capital investment decision, the DLC listing (H-8BP06EV) provides the documentation needed to file with most utility programs. Pairing the TX with the Gavita Pro 1700e LED in a mixed-fixture facility is one approach some operators use to maximize both PPFD coverage and rebate mix.

PHOTOBIO TX LED 680W vs Similar Products

The TX competes in a category of high-efficiency commercial LED top lights in the 600–700W range. A common comparison is against bar-style or panel-style LEDs of similar wattage that use active (fan-cooled) thermal management rather than heat pipes. The practical differences come down to a few points:

Passive vs active cooling. Fan-cooled fixtures in this wattage class add moving parts and audible noise. In large facilities with hundreds of fixtures, fan failures become a maintenance item. The TX’s heat pipe approach eliminates that failure mode at the cost of a slightly heavier fixture (24.52 lb versus lighter fan-cooled alternatives).

DLC listing and rebate access. Not all commercial LEDs in this wattage range carry a current DLC listing. The TX’s H-8BP06EV listing gives it a concrete advantage for operators in utility markets with active rebate programs, where unlisted fixtures are simply ineligible regardless of their rated performance.

Spectrum. The S4 spectrum is formulated for both plant response and acceptable working-light conditions for staff — a consideration in operations where people spend extended time under the lights. Some competing fixtures optimize spectrum purely for plant PAR absorption without accounting for the human working environment.

Controller ecosystem. The TX’s native integration with the Autopilot PX series gives it a clear path for networked dimming. Operators already running Autopilot controls can add TX fixtures without introducing a second controller system.

Compatibility

The TX operates on any 100–277V circuit, covering both North American 120V single-phase and 208V/240V/277V commercial single-phase configurations. The L7-15P cord on this variant is a locking 277V plug — verify your panel and receptacle before installing. If your facility runs 120V circuits, PHOTOBIO also offers this fixture with a standard 120V cord; confirm the cord variant matches your electrical setup before ordering.

Controller compatibility. Dimming control requires the Autopilot PX series controller, PX2 or above. The fixture does not integrate natively with 0–10V generic dimming signals without the Autopilot interface. Check Autopilot documentation for the number of TX fixtures each PX unit can manage on a single daisy-chain loop.

IP65 protection. The IP65 rating makes the TX suitable for wet locations including glass greenhouses, high-humidity grow rooms, and facilities using overhead irrigation or fogging systems. Standard pre-cautions for any energized electrical equipment in wet environments apply.

Driver placement. The driver can be mounted remote from the fixture body. This is useful in rooms where rack spacing is tight or where operators want to keep driver heat out of the canopy zone. Remote driver cables and mounting hardware are separate items — consult PHOTOBIO documentation for compatible cable lengths and mounting specs.

If you need a compatible replacement power cord for an existing PHOTOBIO installation, see the Faven Chroma power cords range for available configurations.

Usage Guidelines

The following guidance is derived from the fixture’s stated performance characteristics. For crop-specific PPFD targets and mounting heights, consult PHOTOBIO’s official photometric documentation, which includes IES files and DLI charts for the TX series.

Mounting height and coverage. As a 680W / 1768 µmol/s fixture, the TX is designed for commercial rows with spacing determined by target PPFD at canopy. Higher mounting heights reduce PPFD but increase coverage area; lower heights concentrate photons for high-light crops. PHOTOBIO publishes photometric data that maps mounting height to PPFD distribution for this fixture — use that data to determine optimal spacing for your target crop and DLI.

Light schedule by crop stage.

• Vegetative / propagation: Many commercial operations run 18–20 hours of light during vegetative growth. Use the Autopilot PX controller to ramp intensity for young transplants and step up as root systems establish.
• Flowering / fruiting: High-light crops in full production typically target 800–1200 µmol/m²/s PPFD at canopy. The TX can deliver this at appropriate mounting heights — refer to manufacturer photometric charts for your specific installation geometry.
• Supplemental greenhouse use: In hybrid greenhouse environments, use a light sensor integration with the Autopilot controller to reduce fixture output during peak natural light periods and ramp up during low-light or nighttime hours, preserving daily DLI targets while minimizing electricity use.

Dimming. With an Autopilot PX2 or higher controller, output can be adjusted in precise increments. This is useful for ramping new cuttings or seedlings, for DLI-based light scheduling, and for reducing heat load during the hottest part of the day in summer greenhouse operations.

How to Install the PHOTOBIO TX LED 680W

These steps reflect the generic installation sequence for a commercial LED top light of this type. Refer to the PHOTOBIO TX installation guide for torque specifications, cable management details, and controller wiring diagrams.

1. Plan your layout. Before mounting any fixtures, map out the installation grid using PHOTOBIO’s photometric data. Confirm fixture spacing, mounting height, and electrical circuit layout. Verify that each circuit’s amperage capacity supports the number of TX units on that run at 680W per fixture.
2. Install mounting hardware. Attach ratchet hangers or a lighting rail to the ceiling structure at your planned fixture positions. Ensure mounting points are rated for the fixture weight (24.52 lb per unit plus cord and any remote driver cable).
3. Hang the fixture. Connect the fixture to the ratchet hangers or rail mounting points. Set initial height per your photometric layout; fine adjustments can be made after test power-on.
4. Route the power cord. The L7-15P cord on this variant is 10 ft long. Route toward the nearest 277V locking receptacle. Keep cord runs tidy and away from heat sources. If using remote driver mounting, position the driver enclosure per PHOTOBIO’s remote-mount instructions before connecting the driver-to-fixture cable.
5. Connect the controller. If using an Autopilot PX series controller for dimming, daisy-chain the control cable between fixtures following Autopilot’s wiring diagram. Confirm PX firmware supports the TX and that the controller’s fixture count does not exceed its rated capacity.
6. Power on and verify. Apply power and confirm the fixture illuminates at full output. Check that the IP65 cord entry points and any remote-driver junction connections are properly seated — especially important in humid greenhouse environments. Verify dimming response via the Autopilot controller if installed.
7. Adjust mounting height. Use a PAR meter at canopy level to verify PPFD matches your target. Raise or lower via ratchet hangers as needed. Record final mounting height for your facility log.

For supplemental T5 lighting in propagation or seedling areas adjacent to TX installations, the T5 Designer 4ft 4-tube fixture is a common pairing for propagation benches that feed into TX-lit production rooms.

Sources & Further Reading