Table of Contents
Can a 2 lamp ballast be used for 1 lamp?
A 1 lamp rapid start (series) ballast can be hard to find, but it can be replaced with a 2 lamp instant start (parallel) ballast.
Can you use a 3 lamp ballast for 1 lamp?
Connect each of the individual blue wires from the new 3 lamp ballast to each of the lampholder individual blue wires of the three lamps. Connect each of the common red wires from the new 3 lamp ballast to each of the lampholder common red wires of the three lamps.
How do you wire a two light ballast?
Connect the wires from the ballast to the wires on the light fixture in the following manner: one blue wire from the ballast to one blue wire from the light fixture; the other blue wire from the ballast to the remaining blue wire from the light fixture; black ballast wire to building’s black (hot) wire; white ballast.
What happens if you wire a ballast wrong?
It will overheat, possibly starting a fire, and then burn out, usually disrupting current flow. Until it does, due to the inductance and resistance, the current will be not quite 90 degrees out of phase with the voltage. Electronic ballasts are 4 or 6 wire devices.
Will a 4 bulb ballast work with 2 bulbs?
These ballasts have their capabilities listed on their label. check the circuit of the label, and also the type of lamps listed Therein . If your 2 lamps are listed, you can use it.
Can you use a 3 lamp ballast for 2 lamps?
A 3 lamp fixture with two rapid start ballasts can be replaced with a 3 lamp instant start ballast. On the 3 lamp ballast, an individual wire is connected to the lampholder of lamp 2 on the left side, and the common wire on the right side.
Can you use a 4 bulb ballast for 3 bulbs?
2 Answers. Newer electronic ballasts run fine with lamps removed. Many replacement ballasts can be wired for several combinations of lamps, such that a 4-lamp ballast can be wired to a 3 or 2 lamp fixture. This will be shown right on the label and wiring diagram.
How do you wire a 3 lamp ballast?
Cut and cap one yellow and one red or blue wire with a wire nut. Connect each of the blue ballast wires to the each of the two blue lampholder wires. Connect the red ballast wire to the third blue lampholder wire. Connect the yellow ballast wire to the red lampholder wire.
Why does my light fixture have 2 ballasts?
Light Fixtures with Two Ballasts This is because the wire colors on the ballast and the lampholders do not match up on two of the connections. The other two individual wires of the same color (blue or red) connect to each of the individual pairs on lamps 2 and 3.
What is the yellow wire on a ballast?
The yellow wires are your commons/return paths on the output side. Image from http://www.electrical101.com/replace-4lamp-series-ballast-with-parallel.html. The yellow wires are your commons/return paths on the output side.
How do you connect two fluorescent light fixtures?
Run a length of two-conductor wire from the existing fluorescent fixture to the new fixture. Loosen the screw on the side of the cable clamps on both fixtures. Feed the ends of the wire through the cable clamps and tighten the screws until the wire is secure.
Which wire is hot on a ballast?
Generally, the hot wire on the ballast is black, and the neutral is white. The other colors are the wires that connect the ballast to the fluorescent tube holders and to each other.
How do you know if a ballast is compatible?
By selecting a ballast with an ideal ballast factor, you can optimize the light output of your fluorescent lighting system and maximize your energy savings. To estimate your total system lumens, multiply the rated lumens of your lamp by the ballast factor. For example, 3200 lumens x 0.77 BF = 2464 total system lumens.
What voltage comes out of a ballast?
Fluorescent lamps use a ballast which transforms line voltage to a voltage to start up and operate the lamp(s). Newer fluorescent ballasts are usually rated for both 120 volts and 277 volts. Some are rated for only 120 volts, others for only 277 volts (used in commercial environments).
Where does the red wire go on a ballast?
Shunted Lampholders In the diagram below (2 lamp instant start ballast), the individual blue wires connect from the ballast to each of the lampholders on one side of each lamp. The common red wire connects from the ballast to both of the lampholders on the other side of each lamp.
Can you splice ballast wires?
In the case of installing an electrical fixture, a splice is used to connect the lead wires of your fixture (it doesn’t matter whether it’s a ceiling fan, ballast, or downlight housing, they all have cable leads) to your house’s line voltage.
What size is ballast wire?
Ballast wires are 18 AWG. Use a blue wire connector for up to four 18 AWG wire connections. Use orange wire connector for more than four 18 AWG wire connections. Light fixtures from the factory are wired with the ballast wires connected directly to the lampholders.
