- To check if the ballast is bad, turn off the fixture from the breaker panel.
- Take off the lens cover of the bulb by removing screws or by sliding the cover out of the fixture.
- The ballast is connected to the fixture via either a plug or socket, depending on the type of bulb.
- The U-shaped bulbs are held in place with springs to ensure tension.
- Remove the ballast cover.
- 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.
How do I know if my ballast is bad?
While a warming start might be expected, an increased delay is a sign of a bad 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. Step 1. Power off the fixture
What happens if you don't have a ballast on a fluorescent light?
Without the ballast, a fluorescent bulb would attach directly to 120-volt current and quickly burn out the bulb. When you hear a buzzing sound coming from your fixture or the bulbs flicker or do not come on, check the ballast to see if it needs to be replaced.
How to tell if a fluorescent bulb is bad?
Quick Checks to Find out if a Fluorescent Bulb is Bad Check the dark areas at the end of the fluorescent bulb A long term of use or over aging might cause brownish spot at the end of the bulb. Brownish spots indicate your fluorescent bulb standing at the end of the lifespan.
How do I know if my light fixture is bad?
You should check all parts of the fixture, including the bulbs. However when checking the ballast, any burn marks, swollen casing, or (in the case of “ye old” magnetic coil ballast) leaking oils are obvious signs of failure.
How do you know if it's the bulb or ballast?
One probe of the multimeter should touch the hot wire connections, while the other touches the neutral wire connections. If the ballast is good, an analog multimeter has a needle that will sweep to the right across the measuring scale. If the ballast is bad, then the needle won't move.
What happens when fluorescent 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 does a fluorescent ballast 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.
When should I replace my fluorescent ballast?
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 I know if my ballast is working?
0:292:33Fluorescent fixture ballest test - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYour other test lead to the wires. And see if your meter still reads open line it should read openMoreYour other test lead to the wires. And see if your meter still reads open line it should read open line open line if you have an analog meter it should not move.
Can a fluorescent light work without a ballast?
In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw.
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...•
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.
Why do fluorescent lights sometimes not turn on?
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 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.
Why does my fluorescent light take a long time to come on?
Over time, the starter can wear down and ultimately take longer to do its job. Lights that take a long time to come on or flicker on and off without starting are common symptoms. If you suspect the starter may be the culprit, first check to make sure your light actually has one.
What do you need to know about a fluorescent light fixture to recommend a replacement ballast?
0:231:24How To Choose A Ballast - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe only things that matter when you're replacing a ballast are we're number one the number of bulbsMoreThe only things that matter when you're replacing a ballast are we're number one the number of bulbs number two the type of bulbs number three the voltage.
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.
Why do fluorescent lights not turn on sometimes?
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.
What does a burnt ballast smell like?
A common source of these odors is the fluorescent light ballast. When called to such an incident, you typically will find an electrical odor or a haze of smoke.
What causes a fluorescent light to stop working?
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). Check for power first... then the starter (if applicable) and then the bulbs. When all else fails, the ballast should be replaced.
How to check if ballast is bad?
Step 1. Power off the fixture. Go to your circuit breaker panel and power down the area that includes the lamp you want to check. Step 2.
How to tell if you need to replace ballast?
If the ballast is not already exposed, remove its cover. At this point, signs of burning, swelling, or leaking are a strong indicator that you need to replace your ballast. If these signs aren’t present, continue to the next step.
How to remove fluorescent light from a fixture?
Step 2. Remove fluorescent bulbs from the fixture. Fixtures are made differently. You may have to unwrap the lens cover , unscrew it, or simply slide it out. Step 3. Disconnect the ballast. In circular fluorescent bulbs, unplug the ballast from the bulb.
Why are T12 fluorescent tubes discontinued?
It’s worth noting that T12 fluorescent tubes have been discontinued because of poor energy efficiency, so finding a replacement ballast for it may be a challenge. The most common types of lamps and ballasts are T12, T8, and T5, with the T standing for tubular and the number indicating the diameter in 1/8 of an inch.
Why do fluorescent lights turn on slowly?
Colder lamps require a higher voltage, which is why some fluorescent lamps turn on slowly before they achieve full brightness—the lamp is warming up the gas. A ballast is used to help regulate the current created by this process. Without it, the current would rapidly increase and cause the lamp to overheat. The ballast provides a quick supply of ...
Why is fluorescent light so good?
This type of lighting can be ideal because the light produced is energy efficient and well diffused. Additionally, the components that make up fluorescent light have long life spans. But it can be frustrating when one of these components goes out, causing incessant buzzing noises or flickering of light.
What does it mean when your ballast isn't working?
Inconsistent lighting levels. Fading light and color variation are common with fluorescent lamps. However, dark corners or inconsistent light across a space could be an indicator that your ballast isn’t working properly.
Why is my ballast failing?
Heat and moisture are enemies #1 and #2 to your ballast. Every ballast has an ambient operating temperature range and UL location rating. When it’s too hot or too cold, the ballast can burn or fail to start your lamps at all.
Why is my LED driver failing?
Causes of LED Driver Failure. Most likely, a failed LED driver will just stop transmitting power to your LEDs. But a failing LED driver could also send more power through your LEDs than they can handle (aka overdriving), overheating and ultimately frying your LED array.
Why is my multimeter reading 1?
If you’re using a digital multimeter, often the digital readout will possibly list a “1” when it doesn’t find a measurable resistance. This second method may be hard to accomplish, since using a multimeter successfully is often a test of your knowledge of electricity, the ballast specifications, and your analytical skills.
Can a ballast cause a light to flicker?
You don’t. 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. However when checking the ballast, any burn marks, swollen casing, or (in the case of “ye old” magnetic coil ballast) ...
Can you put a ballast back together?
Some people may suggest removing the parts of the ballast casing and cleaning the electrical board. However, if you are unable to put the ballast back together, you will be looking for a new ballast.
Do LED lights get hot?
LEDs and their components are particularly susceptible to heat. The power a driver restrains eventually becomes heat and the resulting build-up can take a toll on the driver’s functionality. LED drivers also have ambient operating temperature ranges.
Is a light bulb at the end of its life?
It’s possible your light bulb is at the end of its life, but in the case of bulbs with external ballasts or drivers, it could mean the exterior hardware is to blame. Before you toss that bulb in the trash, take a look at some common signs and causes of ballast failure. How do you know your ballast or driver is toast?
How long do light ballasts last?
Magnetic ballasts last about 75,000 hours or 12 to 15 years with normal use. The optimum economic life of a fluorescent lighting system is usually fifteen years.
How do you test a grow light ballast?
If you want to measure it, set your multimeter to a thousand ohms resistance. The black leads need to be connected to the white ground wire. The other wires should be tested with a red lead. An open-loop or max resistance will be returned when you do this test.
Can a bad ballast burn out bulbs?
The ballast can go bad, which can cause lights to flicker or even burn out, when in fact they are not. On top of the power used to light a fluorescent bulb, they need maintenance and energy to power it. They make up a large part of the equation.
Why is my fluorescent light bulb turning brown?
A long term of use or over aging might cause brownish spot at the end of the bulb. Brownish spots indicate your fluorescent bulb standing at the end of the lifespan. Though the bulb still has some breath left to spread light for few more days, you might notice reduced brightness from your fluorescent bulb. Brownish spots will turn ...
What does it mean when a fluorescent bulb is flickering?
If your bulb is flickering, it’s an indication that your fluorescent bulb is going to die pretty soon. But is it time to replace? Time will tell. You must test the fluorescent bulb before considering a replacement. Let’s show you how to tell if a fluorescent bulb is bad. There are some usual reasons a bulb can go bad, ...
What to do if your fluorescent bulb pins are bent?
If any of the pins seem bent, try to fix it gently. Do not to put too much force while working. Only a little extra pressure can break the pins which will put an end to your fluorescent bulb permanently. YouTube.
How many straight pins are there in a bulb?
As you know, two straight pins at both the end of a bulb used as an electrode. Electrodes are the connectors from the source. Often the pins bend down or misalign, which causes failure to pass electricity. You can check all four pins located at both the end. You might use a tiny plier to straighten them.
Why does my light bulb not light up?
If electrodes do not pass electricity from the source, the bulb will not light up. Electrodes get erosive after a long term use and might stop passing the electricity to the bulb. The multimeter can examine if the electrodes are passing current or not.
Why is my starter dark?
Starter gets dark along with time just like the bulb. The darkness of the starter indicates its lifetime is nearly over. Some starter comes with a transparent body. You can plug out and check if any wire has been cut. Due to over-voltage often starter gets burn inside.
Can you expect a light bulb to light up with a broken circuit?
You should check your panel box before blaming the bulb. Make it sure your circuit is in one piece. You can not expect the bulb to light up with a broken circuit. A long term use can trip the breaker. If that’s the case, you should push the switch to off position and switch back on. Check out if the bulb lights up.
