Replace the fluorescent light ballast in four steps.
- Remove the Bulbs and Fluorescent Light Fixture Cover. Unplug the fixture or turn off the power at the main panel. ...
- Cut the Old Ballast Wiring. Snip the old fluorescent ballast wiring several inches from the end of the fluorescent ballast with side-cutting pliers or wire snips.
- Unscrew the Old Ballast. Unscrew the ballast- mounting nut and drop the old ballast free. Note: The ballast will have either one or two mounting nuts.
- Install the New Ballast
How do you tell if a fluorescent ballast is bad?
If fluorescent light ballasts have gone bad, they might become dim, buzz, change color or go through fast blinking cycles. All parts of the light should be inspected for default before replacement. A multimeter can be used to make certain that it is indeed the ballast itself that has gone bad.
How do you troubleshoot a fluorescent light fixture?
Troubleshooting a Fluorescent Light
- Fixture does not light. Check for power and test to see if the bulb is seated properly in the sockets. Next, replace the tube or tubes. ...
- Tube flickers: First, check to make sure the tube is securely seated in the sockets. ...
- Fixture hums or buzzes: Replace the ballast (see "How to Replace a Fluorescent Ballast," above).
How to change ballast?
Unscrew the nut holding the ballast to the fixture while holding it in place with your other hand. This is best done with a nut driver or socket wrench. Remove the ballast by lowering the side held by the nut, and sliding it in that direction. Take the ballast with you to your local home center or hardware store and purchase a like replacement.
How to replace fluorescent lights ballast (DIY)?
Three Different Types of Electronic Ballasts
- Rapid Start Ballasts. A rapid start ballast relies on a preheating method that keeps the mechanism always primed to instantly light the bulb when the switch is turned on.
- Programmed Start Ballasts. Programmed start ballasts are the usual choice if your lights are connected to a motion sensor. ...
- Instant Start Ballasts. ...
Can fluorescent ballast be repaired?
If you can change out a light switch or outlet you can definitely replace an old ballast that doesn't work. As I said in the beginning, you'll save yourself $75 to $90 doing this fix yourself. Years ago I paid our electrician to do a similar fix at a rental and this is how much the fee was.
How do I know if a ballast is bad?
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.More items...•
Can you rebuild a ballast?
Sometimes, the colour coding on the old ballast does not match the new ballast. We recommend that you always hire a qualified electrician to have a ballast repair or ballast replacement service done.
What causes a ballast to stop working?
Causes of Ballast Failure When it's too hot or too cold, the ballast can burn or fail to start your lamps at all. Heat combined with prolonged condensation inside an electronic ballast can cause corrosion. Some people may suggest removing the parts of the ballast casing and cleaning the electrical board.
How much does a new ballast cost?
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 ballast goes bad?
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 long do fluorescent ballasts last?
12 to 15 yearsAccording 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 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.
How do you change a ballast without turning off power?
Remove the wire nut from one of the power wires and carefully strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from the end, making sure not to touch the end. Hold the ballast wire next to this wire with the stripped ends parallel but not touching. Quickly slip on the wire nut and screw onto the ends.
How often does a ballast need to be replaced?
The ballast takes in electricity and then regulates current to the bulbs. A typical ballast will generally last about 20 years, but cold environments and bad bulbs can decrease this lifespan significantly. You can get a new ballast at a hardware store or home center and install it in about 10 minutes.
How do you test if a ballast is working?
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.
Why won't my fluorescent light come on all the way?
If a fluorescent tube neither lights nor flickers when switched on, first check to see that the fixture is plugged in and that no fuse has blown or circuit breaker has tripped. If this does not help, try wiggling the tube gently in its sockets by rocking it back and forth and from side to side.
How do you test a ballast?
Checking for a Bad BallastPower off the fixture. Go to your circuit breaker panel and power down the area that includes the lamp you want to check.Remove fluorescent bulbs from the fixture. Fixtures are made differently. ... Disconnect the ballast. ... Remove the ballast. ... Use a multimeter.
Will LED lights work with bad ballast?
Can LED lamps work off of existing ballasts? Yes, if they have an internal driver than can work off that ballast. Philips, for example, has designed a tube that is compatible with an existing electronic ballast.
Should I replace ballast or buy new fixture?
Replacing the ballast in an old fixture is a must T-12 fluorescent bulbs, long used in garages and shops, are being replaced by energy-saving T-8 bulbs. However, you'll probably need to replace the old ballast; otherwise the new bulb will burn out too fast.
How do I test a ballast with a multimeter?
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.
How to remove ballast from a light fixture?
This is best done with a nut driver or socket wrench. Remove the ballast by lowering the side held by the nut, and sliding it in that direction.
What is a ballast in a fluorescent light fixture?
Learn more... All fluorescent light fixtures consist of at least lamp (s), lamp holders, ballast and internal wiring. Some older types have "starters", too. The ballast is used to create the voltage and current necessary to start and illuminate the fluorescent lamp. In time, the ballast may need to be replaced.
How to tell if ballast is bad?
Before you go to the trouble of replacing the ballast, you should determine if a bad ballast is indeed the likely cause of the problem. First, replace the tubes with new tubes or with tubes that you know are good. Usually, if the lamps have turned black at one or both ends, they are bad, but the only way to know for sure is to replace them with good ones. Note, however, that fluorescent lamps generally burn out gradually over time, not suddenly. If all of the tubes in a fixture stop working abruptly at the same time, it's likely that the problem is not the tubes.
What wire goes to the other end of a ballast?
The other wire is the neutral (white) wire. You will need to cut the neutral wire loose from the bulb. That way two blue wires go to one end of the bulb and two red wires go to the other end of the bulb and the 100V Hot (black) and Neutral (white) go ONLY to the electronic ballast.
Why are my lamps not lighting?
Many times, lamps that fail to light fully indicate (in order to be checked): cold lamps or low ambient temperature, defective lamps or starters, a reverse connected 120V ballast, bad lamp holders or defective ballast. Some fixtures require proper grounding, too.
How many ballasts are in a 4 tube light fixture?
Note the number of tubes in your fixture and their wattage, length, type (T8, T12, T5, etc.). Note also there may be two ballasts in a four-tube fixture, each ballast running two of the tubes.
How many starters per lamp?
There will be one starter per lamp (tube). The starter is a small cylindrical part (3/4-inch (20 mm) diameter x 1 1/4-inch (30 mm) long) that is twisted into a separate socket, usually located near the end of the fixture or behind a lamp. Starters are very inexpensive (about $2 each) and easy to replace.
Where is the ballast on a fixture?
Take a picture of the data plate of the ballast. the ballast is a rectangular box in the center line of the fixture.
Where to remove ballast cover?
Remove the cover in the center of the fixture to expose the wiring and ballast components.
Why take a picture of the entire fixture?
Take a picture of the entire fixture in order to verify wiring later.
What voltage should a light switch be?
The measured voltage should read between 110-125V. Turn the light switch off immediately after performing this step.
How to check if bulbs are failing?
Check the bulbs for failure by looking for black coloring at the ends of the bulbs.
What side of the wire do you twist off?
Twist off the wire nut from the hot side (black or red wire) and neutral side (white wire).
Do you have to turn off the circuit breakers before you start a power cut?
Prior to starting this procedure, be sure to turn off the necessary circuit breakers to cut off all power in your household or place of residence.
How long does it take to replace a fluorescent ballast?
Replace the ballast when your fluorescent light flickers or makes an annoying hum. The repair will only take about 10 minutes.
Why does my fluorescent light hum?
Wire connectors. When your fluorescent light flickers or makes a loud and annoying hum, a degrading ballast is the cause. The ballast takes in electricity and then regulates current to the bulbs. A typical ballast will generally last about 20 years, but cold environments and bad bulbs can decrease this lifespan significantly.
