Fluorescent Shop Light Repair
- Materials Needed. The new ballast. ...
- This Is a Common Problem. These ballasts burn out all the time. ...
- Disassemble the Light Fixture. First of all unplug the light. ...
- Cut Out the Old Ballast. Cut all of the wires close to the ballast. ...
- Install the New Ballast. ...
- Connect the Wires. ...
- Connect the Socket Wires. ...
- Finish the Wiring. ...
- Install the Shade. ...
How to change a ballast in a fluorescent light fixture?
- Photo 1: Remove the bulbs and fluorescent light fixture cover. Unplug the fixture or turn off the power at the main panel.
- Photo 2: Cut the old ballast wiring.
- Photo 3: Unscrew the old ballast.
- Photo 4: Install the new ballast.
How much to replace fluorescent ballast?
‘An electrician is working on a fluorescent light fixture, changing the ballast. Using the light switch mounted on the wall, the electrician is able to turn off the fluorescent lighting. Furthermore, how much does it cost to replace a ballast in a light bulb? According to research from 2021, the average cost of replacing a ballast is around $150.
Can I make 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 does a fluorescent lamp require a ballast?
“Why do fluorescent lamps need a ballast? ” There are several reasons, but by far the most important is that the ballast, which is actually a large inductor, limits the current that can flow through the fluorescent tube once it has started up. The tube requires a high voltage to ionise the gas in the tube and initiate the flow of current.
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.
Can ballasts be repaired?
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.
How do I know if my ballast needs to be replaced?
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...•
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.
What happens when a 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 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.
How do you troubleshoot a ballast?
If you can't find obvious signs of a bad ballast and you've already tried replacing the bulb, there are steps you can take to test whether your ballast is the issue....Checking for a Bad BallastPower off the fixture. ... Remove fluorescent bulbs from the fixture. ... Disconnect the ballast. ... Remove the ballast. ... Use a multimeter.
How do you check a ballast in a fluorescent light fixture?
0:292:33Fluorescent fixture ballest test - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGo ahead and hook it we'll test this front ballasts first here I've got all the wires kind ofMoreGo ahead and hook it we'll test this front ballasts first here I've got all the wires kind of brought up so we can just test them right here go ahead and hook your black from your meter to the white
How long do 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.
What is the most common reason for fluorescent lamp failure?
Bulbs. Bulbs are the most common problem with a bad fluorescent fixture. Look at the end of the bulb for a dark area; if you see one, the bulb is either bad or going bad.
Why won't my fluorescent light turn 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 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.
Can a HID ballast be repaired?
Do you want to know when to repair and when to buy a new ballast? If yes, you must learn how to reset HID ballast. Not all failures require a replacement; sometimes it is because of a damaged ballast. By resetting your ballast, you can make it work again, extend its operational life, you save money in the long run.
How do you fix a digital ballast?
0:221:39Quantum Digital Ballast - Changing the Fuse - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGet yourself a flat head screwdriver. And go ahead and put it in the divot. And you can slide itMoreGet yourself a flat head screwdriver. And go ahead and put it in the divot. And you can slide it right out. And this is where the fuse for the ballast is located.
How do I know if my headlight ballast is bad?
Signs of Ballast Failure There is a good chance that your ballast is the cause of your lighting problems if your headlights are dim, changing colors, buzzing, or flicker. When inspecting it for potential issues, any burn marks, leaking oils, or swollen casing are indicators of failure.
How do you check a fluorescent light 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.
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.
What happens if all the tubes in a light fixture stop working?
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. If replacing the tubes does not fix the problem and if the light fixture has one or more "starters" (found only in older fixtures), replace the starters. There will be one starter per lamp (tube).
What wires go to the other end of a light 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. Connecting a blue wire to a Neutral (White) wire will burn out your electronic ballast. Thanks!
How many blue wires are in a ballast?
If you bought one of the new electronic ballasts, you will have two blue wires and two red wires. But your single bulb fixture may have only one blue wire coming from the bulb connector. The other wire is the neutral (white) wire. You will need to cut the neutral wire loose from the bulb.
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.
What to check before cutting wires?
Before you cut any wires, it is recommended that you check both the hot and neutral feed wires for voltage with respect to ground. (And see the alternative to cutting in step 11 before doing any cutting.) The voltage can be checked with a simple voltmeter or voltage sensor.
How to connect blue wire to red wire?
Use a wire nut to connect the blue wire to the blue wire, the red to the red, the white to the white, and the black to the black. As a quick and easy alternative to cutting and wiring, simply rotate and pull the wires out of the lamp connectors.
Introduction
This is a comprehensive guide to the safe and complete repair of a fluorescent light fixture. It will advise if and when an unsafe condition is present as well as how to verify all safe conditions. This guide goes beyond replacing a burnt out bulb and shows the process for doing everything a homeowner can do without calling an electrician.
Step 1 Ballast
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.
Step 2
Check the bulbs for failure by looking for black coloring at the ends of the bulbs.
Step 3
Remove the cover in the center of the fixture to expose the wiring and ballast components.
Step 4
Verify there is no voltage to the fixture using the non-contact voltage tester according to device instructions.
Step 5
Measure the AC voltage using a multimeter by placing the red lead on the bare metal of the black or red wire of the source wire and the black lead on the bare metal of the white wire.
Step 6
Repeat step 5 after turning the light switch for the light to the on position.
Why does my fluorescent light make a loud noise?
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.
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.
What happens if you make a mistake in a ballast?
Making a mistake can cause a building fire, shock, injury, or death. Watch out: after electrical power has been removed from the light circuit you must also ground the ballast terminals before touching any wire ends; a ballast can give a tremendous electrical shock.
How many wires are in a replacement ballast?
The replacement ballast provides 5 wires: black, white, blue, blue (equivalent) and red.
How many watts does a fluorescent lamp use?
On 2020-01-26 by (mod) - Typically a fluorescent desk lamp is about a 15-22-watt device, depending on your country, operating at 120VAC or 220VAC. Scotty. Thanks for an interesting question. Typically a fluorescent desk lamp is about a 15-22-watt device, depending on your country, operating at 120VAC or 220VAC.
