Table of Contents
Is it hard to replace a ballast?
The ballast takes in electricity and then regulates current to the bulbs. You can get a new ballast at a hardware store or home center and install it in about 10 minutes. However, buying a ballast can be expensive, so consider pricing a brand-new fixture for comparison.
How do you change a ballast in a fluorescent light?
Instructions Remove the Cover. Remove the lens, or diffuser cover, from the fixture. Remove the Fluorescent Tubes. Remove the light bulbs (fluorescent tubes). Remove the Cover Plate. Disconnect the Ballast Wires. Remove the Ballast. Prepare the Wires. Mount the New Ballast. Dispose of the Old Ballast.
What are the signs of a bad ballast?
2. Look for warning signs that the ballast is failing. Buzzing. If you hear a strange sound coming from your bulbs or light fixture, like a buzzing or humming noise, that’s often a sign your ballast is going. Dimming or flickering. No lights at all. Changing colors. Swollen casing. Burn marks. Water damage. Leaking oil.
Do I need an electrician to replace a ballast?
Yes. In fact, you really need a locking device to replace the ballast. – An electrician replaces the ballast on a fluorescent lamp. He uses a switch on the wall to turn off the fluorescent light.
Why don’t my fluorescent lights work?
A dead fluorescent can be caused by lack of electrical power (tripped breaker or blown fuse), a dead or dying ballast, a dead starter or a dead bulb(s). defective starters, defective bulbs or a defective ballast. IMPORTANT: Flickering fluorescent tubes can cause the ballast to overheat and fail prematurely!.
What happens when a ballast goes bad?
But there is a good chance your ballast could be the cause of your lighting woes if your lights are dim, buzzing, changing colors, or flickering rapidly. You should check all parts of the fixture, including the bulbs. If the bulbs fail to light up, then 9 out of 10 times the ballast is culprit.
Can a fluorescent light work without a ballast?
Reverted question “ Can I make a fluorescent light work without a ballast?” yes, you can, but you need something to reduce the current as the bulb warms up. So, you can drive a fluorescent with a pulse width adjustable power supply, but this is what is in an ‘electronic’ ballast.
Why are my fluorescent lights flickering?
If your fluorescent bulbs flicker, most likely the problem is with the bulb itself. If the bulb is very dark on either end, it may be defective and burned out. The best way to test the functionality of a bulb is to put it into a fixture you know works. Flickering fluorescent lights can also be a result of temperature.
Can you repair a ballast?
While simply swapping burned out bulbs in an existing ballast is deemed “ballast repair” by many – and can offer advantages in longevity and energy savings – sometimes this simple “fix” is not enough.
How do I know if my ballast is T8 or T12?
If no markings are available, the size in diameter of the tube is the easiest way to determine the type you have installed. T8 tubes are 1-inch in diameter and T12 tubes are 1 1/2 -inch.
Will a bad ballast burn out bulbs?
The ballast itself can go bad, which causes lights to flicker or even appear to be burnt out, when in fact they aren’t. They require maintenance and energy to power, on top of the power used to light the fluorescent bulb. They are a large part of the equation when using fluorescent lamps.
How do you tell if the ballast is bad in a fluorescent light?
If your fluorescent lighting is displaying any of the signs below, it could be a symptom of a bad ballast: Flickering. Buzzing. Delayed start. Low output. Inconsistent lighting levels. Switch to an electronic ballast, keep lamp. Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to a T8 fluorescent.
Is it cheaper to replace ballast or fixture?
A replacement ballast costs about $10-25 depending on capacity and brand. The bite is that an electrician trip charge (which includes 30 or 60 minutes work) is going to be $75-150 probably – for about 5 minutes work on each light fixture.
Is it the starter or the ballast?
In older fluorescent fixtures, the ballast, or choke, is a transformer that limits the current flowing into the tube, while the starter provides the high voltage needed to excite the tube when it is turned on.
Why does my fluorescent light work sometimes and not others?
If a fluorescent tube blinks on and off-a slower and more distinct process than flickering-the fault may lie in loose wiring or in another component, called the ballast. The ballast is almost always to blame if the fixture hums during operation.
How long do ballasts last?
According to the Certified Ballast Manufacturers Association, the average magnetic ballast lasts about 75,000 hours, or 12 to 15 years with normal use. The optimum economic life of a fluorescent lighting system with magnetic ballasts is usually about 15 years.
How do you tell when a fluorescent bulb is burned out?
How to Tell If a Fluorescent Tube Is Bad? Check the ends of the tube. If they appear darkened this indicates the bulb is burned out. Rotate the tube in the fixture if the bulb is not darkened on either end. Remove the bulb from the fixture if the bulb is still not illuminating.
How do you test a ballast?
To measure it, set your digital multimeter to around a thousand ohms resistance setting. Connect the black leads to the white ground wire on your ballast. Afterward, test every other wire with the red lead. When you do this test, a good ballast will return an “open-loop” or max resistance.
