Can you use a 4 lamp ballast for 2 lamp fixture?
4 min read
Asked by: Fatima Akinnusi
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. Otherwise you need a lamp engineer to figure it out.
Can I use 4 bulb ballast for 2 lamps?
Some four lamp ballasts are also rated for three lamps, or for two lamps. Some two lamp ballasts are also rated for one lamp. It varies by manufacturer and model, so there are no generic instructions.
How do you use a 4 lamp ballast for a 3 lamp fixture?
The two yellow wires on a 4 lamp instant start ballast are connected together inside the 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.
Will a 2 lamp ballast work for 3 lamps?
A 3 lamp fixture with two rapid start ballasts can be replaced with a 3 lamp instant start ballast. As seen below, connecting the 3 lamp instant start ballast to the three lamps can be a bit confusing. This is because the wire colors on the ballast and the lampholders will not match up.
Does it matter which ballast to use?
It needs to fit the electrical requirements of the lamp that it will run. When purchasing a ballast, you’ll need to read the type of lamps it’s designed for, how many lamps it operates, and the voltage the lamps will run on. Choosing the right ballast for a lamp will optimize the light output and life of the bulb.
What happens if you wire a ballast wrong?
If a ballast fails, it can cause a short, burn out tubes or even cause a fire, so it must be replaced. Lights that don’t turn on, fluorescent tubes blackened near their ends, and brown, burnt tube electrodes are all indicators that a ballast is bad.
Can I use a 2 lamp ballast for 1 lamp?
How to Replace 1 Lamp Rapid Start Ballast with 2 Lamp Rapid Start. A 1 lamp rapid start (series) ballast can be hard to find, but it can be replaced with a 2 lamp rapid start ballast. Here is how a 2 lamp ballast is wired to a 1 lamp fixture.
Why does only 2 4 fluorescent bulbs work?
There’s a black ballast inside that is probably causing your problem. Take some pictures of the wiring and then disconnect all the wires going to the ballast, after turning off the power. Bring the ballast to a home store or electric supply store for a replacement. Then just re install it.
How do you bypass a 4 bulb ballast?
How to Bypass A Ballast
- Step 1: Disconnect All Power So There is No Electrical Current. …
- Step 2: Find the Ballast. …
- Step 3: Locate and Cut Only the Hot and Neutral Wires. …
- Step 4: Cut the Socket Lead Wires. …
- Step 5: Remove the Ballast (if you wish) …
- Step 6: Connect the Wires. …
- Step 7: Reattach Any Coverings and Turn On.
How many ballasts are in a fixture?
The fixture may appear to have two tubes working off one ballast, but actually there are two ballasts built into one case. Fixtures with four tubes, similarly, have four starters and four ballasts. In some kinds of fixtures, the starters are built in and cannot be individually replaced.
How do I know if a ballast is compatible?
You can determine whether you have a compatible fixture in seconds. Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that will work with direct drop-in LED tubes.
Are all ballasts the same?
And there are two types of ballasts in each family: magnetic and electronic. Magnetic ballasts are the older ballast technology. For the fluorescent family, both T12 linear fluorescents and two-pin CFLs use magnetic ballasts. For HIDs, some metal halides and HPS lamps use magnetic ballasts.
How do you match a ballast?
The 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.
Are all fluorescent light ballasts the same?
There are two basic types of fluorescent ballasts: magnetic (low frequency) and electronic (high frequency). Most fluorescent ballasts are now electronic, which are more efficient than magnetic ballasts.
How do I know if I have a T8 or T12 ballast?
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.
