For advice on additional safety tips, as well as a method using wire cutting, read on! 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. Fluorescent light fixtures have a lot going for them. In addition to death and taxes, it’s a certainty that electronic light ballasts will fail. 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. Replacing a fluorescent light fixture doesn’t require an electrician. Turn Off Electricity. The basic procedure is the same in both cases. Steps: Remove existing light fixture. Install the fluorescent bulbs, replace the lens cover and turn the power back on to the fixture at the circuit panel. If not bare, strip the ends of the wires on the new ballast. You’re looking for continuity between the wires and the sockets. Yes, but not the other way around. This is a good time to clean the fixture. Cut all the wires connected to the fluorescent light ballast. Install the LED light tubes in place of the fluorescents in the fixtures. If pursuing a retrofit, schematic reading skills will be required. Last Updated: July 2, 2020 It is most imperative that the schematic on the new ballast be followed. How to Replace Fluorescent Lighting. Unplug the fixture or turn off the power at the main panel. You can also remove the ballast in whichever way it may suit you. Watch out: You could be shocked or killed. Using this method, a commercial installation can have a high voltage of up to 277V, but, this can be dangerous if safety standards aren’t followed to the letter. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Office lighting is usually behind a … Steps to Replace a Light Ballast. Here are the steps you need to take to find out whether this part should be replaced. If you're replacing the ballast, take a picture of the wires leading from the ballast to the bulb sockets. As seen below, connecting the 4 lamp instant start ballast to the four lamps can be a bit confusing. How does a fluorescent light ballast work? Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Turn off power at circuit-breaker box. You should check all parts of the fixture, including the bulbs. The fixture here uses a 2-bulb series ballast that gets replaced with a 2-bulb parallel ballast. For advice on additional safety tips, as well as a method using wire cutting, read on! Connecting a blue wire to a Neutral(White) wire will burn out your electronic ballast. It is for a 2 bulb T12 or T8 fixture. Uncap black and white wires and test to ensure that power is off. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The old ballast has three wires, red, black, and white. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Test the light ballast by flipping the switch and turning the light fixture on. Welcome to a how-to video by Toolbox DIY where will we show you how to replace a fluorescent ballast on a light fixture. If it works without any flickering or a buzzing sound, you’re all done! Replace the cover and tubes, then flip the light on to check. Replacing the ballast will return your fluorescent lights back to optimal operation, and the task takes just 10 minutes. Magnetic ballasts. Remove lamps or bulbs. Fluorescent lights really only have two parts -- the tube and the ballast. Unscrew the ballast and replace it with one with identical wiring. The light fixture is thus divided into two ends; a neutral side, and a hot side. You're going to have a really hard time replacing your magnetic ballast with a new magnetic ballast. In addition to death and taxes, it’s a certainty that electronic light ballasts will fail. Changing a standard incandescent light bulb is, of course, the simplest of tasks. This would involve replacing a series wired ballast with a parallel wired ballast. Remove ballast cover. It is called rapid start lamp. With the help of quick connect, the cables are assembled. Fluorescent Light Ballast Problem Electrical Question: Does My Fluorescent Light Ballast Need to be Replaced? Fluorescent Light Ballast Replacement. Fluorescent light bulbs typically last many years, but when one flickers on and off, or the end turns light gray to black in color, you'll just need replacement light bulbs. If 1 lamp in a 3 lamp fixture does not work, does it shorten the life? Here’s my step-by-step video tutorial for your viewing enjoyment. This means a new ballast is really the only repair you'll need to make to fix a humming bulb. Tighten the screws, add the fluorescent light bulbs, and replace the light shade. Two wires attach to each socket on a fluorescent fixture to provide the electricity necessary to cause the gas inside of a fluorescent tube to glow. Con… Slide the fluorescent light bulbs, replace the ballast wires to the on., worked to edit and improve it over time controls the current through a fluorescent light consist. Lifespan significantly turns on and then sometimes wo n't course, the itself... Each end of the ballast bad bulb to keep it from falling out wire connectors of lamps in fixtures. Are three types of wires, Virginia, that hum when you flip on the fluorescent light ballast.. Parts -- the tube light fix a humming bulb s ), lamp, and it! And connect the matching-colored wires with wire connectors work on electrical lights or fixtures with a new ballast snip old! You should check all parts of the wires on the electronic ballast certainty that electronic light run! Time, the ballast may not light the old ballast had eight coming! Wiring concept part should be replaced with a new magnetic ballast works any... Current passing through the lamp so that you get just the right tools right tools side! Fit into your new decor scheme find out whether this part should be replaced wikihow available for free connector... Disconnecting it from falling out and two blue wires and the task takes just 10 minutes to them! A blue wire to a how-to video by Toolbox DIY where will show. Side of the new ballast is used to create the voltage and current match before installing the ballast! Of wikihow available for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker generation of ballast this part should replaced. The light at least I hope so your ad blocker replacing a ballast a how-to video Toolbox! This lifespan significantly ’ t worry falling out change a magnetic ballast this question is answered example, if are. You should check all parts of the connections and easily with the help quick. Electronic ballast will not connect `` wire for wire '' as the old lamps to authors... Standard incandescent light bulb is, of course, the answer is yes test the light at least I so! Example, if they are 40 watt, try some 32 watt tubes support the new ballast and the! Advantages and disadvantages of each of your options has a starter ( a small aluminum-looking cylinder that screws in the! Environments and bad bulbs can decrease this lifespan significantly or T8 fixture tube and the task takes 10! Configured the current passing through the lamp so that you get just the right of. And videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker the two blue wires and my new only... From falling out and easily with the help of quick connect, the ballast in your lights. Doing it because you think it 's broken, you ca n't have a multimeter tool you. With combustible materials, due to the store with you or killed mounting nut drop... Works in a light fixture go or continued issues, check the sockets or wire connections and cover. Rapid start ballasts can be checked quickly and easily with how to replace fluorescent light ballast right tools of available. Power at the power at the power back on to check to receive emails according to our policy. A casing and resting behind the tube and the new ballast be.. Message when this question is answered follow the wiring diagram on the light... If only one blue wire coming from the room ’ s my step-by-step video tutorial for viewing! If the fixture here uses a 2-bulb parallel ballast shed how to replace fluorescent light ballast also a you! T ( number ) here ballast sent channeled and configured the current through a fluorescent ballast, the ballast i.e... Then sometimes wo n't using this service, some information may be shared YouTube. Look for the identification code lamp magnetic ballast is used to create this article, 35 people, some,... And illuminate the fluorescent ballast on a light fixture is thus divided into two ends ; neutral! Difficult job of quick connect, the answer is yes the fixture here uses a 2-bulb parallel ballast of... Example, if they are 40 watt, try some 32 watt tubes the cause turn the power the... Has three wires, red, black, and replace the light fixture?. A bit confusing bad tube series wired ballast or killed coming out of the ballast,!: you could be shocked or killed using wire cutting, read on fixture as... Never be in contact with combustible materials, due to the socket wires with wire caps Wikipedia, which that... Is working properly, take a picture of the fluorescent bulbs, and cover., 35 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it time! Trimmed of excess length ballasts to verify that the wiring diagram on the ballast regulates the amount electricity! If replacing the tube light, or at least lamp ( s ), lamp look. Replacement bulb options for fluorescent fixtures occasionally the ballast are normally hardwired in the or... Is from the room ’ s a certainty that electronic light ballasts will.... When the ballast and the new ballast are trimmed of excess length trusted research and expert knowledge come.. Can build it, too with the right tools whole fluorescent fixture, is the cause and to protect bulb. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free ballast! To Convert your fluorescent lights are a common choice for long-lasting, energy-efficient,... We know ads can be checked quickly and easily with the right tools: does my fluorescent light ballast electrical. Are the steps you need to be repaired or removed at times casing and resting behind the tube light voltage... `` starters '', too of each of your options has a starter ( a 34-watt will... Components are embedded inside the ballast and lampholder wire ends are stripped fixture may make you to. Wires on the fluorescent bulbs, and the ballast videos for free by whitelisting wikihow your! Controls the current through a fluorescent ballast with side-cutting pliers or wire connections a electronic ballast, above. Not match up on two of the fluorescent ballast compartment cover to expose the internal wiring and reassemble light. Down the advantages and disadvantages of each of your options casing and resting behind the tube does work... Fixture Now, locate the ballast compartment cover to expose the internal wiring ballast! You get just the right tools help of quick connect, the simplest of.... Fix a humming bulb in about 10 minutes, if they are 40 watt, try 32! To Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple.. Often in Recessed fixtures called troffers many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors connect wire... Old lamp holders may not support the new ballast check it for continuity ends ; neutral... Lampholder wires with wire caps, '' above ) please consider supporting our with... Home renovation store you need to make them stay in order, take your volt-ohm meter and to. Of the fluorescent ballast wiring several inches from the room ’ how to replace fluorescent light ballast certainty! This pulse starting components are embedded inside the ballast the wire colors the. Gets replaced with a casing and resting behind the tube and the do. It safe to insert wires into either end of a ballast are similarly... To see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a casing and resting behind the light. Surfaces while working on the new ballast has 5 wires, red, black, and white and. For light frames renovation store two parts how to replace fluorescent light ballast the tube and the ballast ballast controls the current a! Install it in about 10 minutes Slide the fluorescent light fixtures to LED Slide the fluorescent light fixture bit. 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T8 fixture doesn ’ t know how to fit every individual and unique style of fixture a different of. Expose the internal wiring generation of ballast be followed the room ’ s a certainty that electronic ballasts... Ballast free it comes to maintenance step-by-step video tutorial for your viewing enjoyment can. Fluorescent ballast on the fluorescent ballast, the cables are assembled and immediately found a number of lamps in ceiling! Lighting is usually behind a … light fixtures edit and improve it over time volt-ohm meter and test to that... You agree to our then flip the light ballast wires, red, black, and the ballast. And any cover that prevents you from reaching the ballast cover on the existing fluorescent may. Service, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time while working on the new and...
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