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How hard is it to replace a ballast in a fluorescent light?
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.
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.
How much does it cost to replace a ballast in a fluorescent light?
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Can anyone replace a ballast?
Yes. As a matter of fact, you do need a lock out tag out device in place for changing a ballast. ‘An electrician is replacing the ballast on a fluorescent light.
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 do fluorescent lights sometimes not turn on?
The fluorescent tube won’t turn on No electrical power due to a tripped breaker or blown fuse. A dead or dying ballast. A dead starter. A dead bulb.
How long does a fluorescent ballast 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.
Can a bad ballast cause a fire?
As with any electrical situation where overheating is possible, a bad ballast can pose a fire danger. The overheated ballast could cause the plastic housing on the light itself to melt and, in the right conditions, flame up.
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.
Why does my fluorescent light flicker when off?
When a CFL flickers, the cause is usually in the light switch, which is either a dimmer or a switch with an illuminate rocker. Illuminated switches pass a small amount of current even when they’re turned to the “off” position, which is enough to charge the capacitor in the CFL and cause a momentary illumination.
What are the common problems of fluorescent lamp?
defective starters, defective bulbs or a defective ballast. IMPORTANT: Flickering fluorescent tubes can cause the ballast to overheat and fail prematurely! They can even cause a starter to burn out! Don’t wait too long to fix the problem or you may end up with a bigger repair!.
