How do you bypass a fluorescent ballast?

Asked by: Erika Langdeau

How to Bypass A Ballast

1. Step 1: Disconnect All Power So There is No Electrical Current. …
2. Step 2: Find the Ballast. …
3. Step 3: Locate and Cut Only the Hot and Neutral Wires. …
4. Step 4: Cut the Socket Lead Wires. …
5. Step 5: Remove the Ballast (if you wish) …
6. Step 6: Connect the Wires. …
7. Step 7: Reattach Any Coverings and Turn On.

How do I bypass the ballast on a fluorescent light fixture?

First disconnect the hot neutral. And ground wires that are connected to the ballast. Then cut all the wires leading from the ballast to the lamp sockets. Be sure to cut them close to the ballast.

Can you run a fluorescent light without a ballast?

All fluorescent bulbs require a ballast. All compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs require a ballast, which is often integrated. All HID bulbs require a ballast, which is sometimes integrated. No LED bulbs require a ballast, although some are engineered to work with an existing ballast.

Is it safe to bypass a ballast?

The most significant negative to a ballast-bypass linear LED is the risk of electric shock since the sockets carry line voltage. It’s a common practice to place a finger on the lamp pins while you are trying to install it, and this becomes a risky endeavor when using single-ended ballast-bypass lamps .

How do you bypass a ballast to install LED tubes in a fluorescent light?

You can fold the black and white wires on your ballast out of the way because you don't need them anymore. Next you'll need to cut the red wire that runs from your ballast to the side of your fixture.

Can you bypass ballast for LED lights?

2. Ballast-bypass, line voltage, or direct wire linear LED (UL type B) Bypass the ballast linear LEDs – also known as line voltage or direct-wire linear LEDs – work straight off the line voltage flowing directly to the sockets, requiring you to remove the original fluorescent ballast. Jump ahead to pros and cons.

What are the yellow wires on a ballast?

The common yellow wires connect from the ballast to push-in connectors on one of the right holders of lamp 1 or 2. Two yellow wires connect the common lampholders together.

What is a ballast bypass?

A ballast bypass is when you remove a ballast from the electrical circuit that goes to your light fixture.

What happens if you put LED bulbs in a fluorescent fixture?

Many LED tubes are “plug and play”, meaning you can just install them like you would a fluorescent bulb. For this to be true, look for bulbs that are “ballast-compatible” meaning that they can use the ballast already installed in your fluorescent fixture to power the LEDs.

Can I put an LED bulb in a fluorescent fixture?

You have fluorescent tube lights in your home or business already, and you’re wondering if you can pop LED tubes in these fixtures or if you’ll need to change out the fixtures for something designed for LED. Good news! You can use LED tubes in your existing fixtures!

How do you bypass a 4 pin CFL ballast?

How to Bypass a Ballast

1. Turn off the power. Flipping the light switch to the “off” position does not necessarily end the flow of electricity. …
2. Locate your ballast. …
3. Cut the hot and neutral wires. …
4. Cut the socket lead wires. …
5. Remove the ballast. …
6. Connect the input wires to the output wires.

How do you wire a fluorescent light straight?

How to Direct-Wire a Fixture for Single-Ended LED Lamps

1. Dispose of fluorescent lamps.
2. Remove the ballast cover.
3. Disconnect and cut live and neutral wiring from the ballast and set aside.
4. Cut the wires leading to the lampholders from the ballast.
5. Remove the ballast.
6. Remove lampholders on one side of the fixture.

Can I replace 4 pin CFL with LED?

If the existing CFL ballast is compatible, these LED lamps offer a simple direct replacement into the original socket. No wiring is required. The existing ballast will operate the new LED lamp. The rated life of LED 4-pin replacement lamps ranges from 35,000 to 50,000 hours.

How do you convert fluorescent lights to LED?

Now one caveat with type a is they're not always compatible with every single ballast most come with a compatibility chart so you may want to look at your ballast.

Can you use a 2 pin bulb in a 4 pin?

Or does it matter? 4 pin variants may be dimmable but 2 pin are not. Thanks guys. The choice is usually dictated by the fitting – if it only has a choke (no starter) you’ll need a 2-pin, if the fitting has a starter or equivalent (e.g. electronic ballast), you’ll need a 4-pin.

Is LED bulb better than CFL?

In short form, here are the answers: CFL is the curly light bulb and LED is the long light bulb. And, in the CFL vs LED battle for energy efficiency, the LED light benefits make it a winner, hands down.

Why is LED brighter than fluorescent?

Since there is such an enormous difference between LED bulbs and incandescent bulbs and also a difference between fluorescent lighting and LED’s it’s not hard to figure out that the reasons that LED lights seem so much brighter is because they have a higher lumens output/watt which means that even though less power is …

What element makes bulbs last longer?

Krypton- and xenon-filled light bulbs do not burn as hot as argon-filled ones. These types of gases also have larger atoms than argon gas, making them more effective at bouncing tungsten atoms back to the light filament. This in turn results in longer-lasting light bulbs.

WHAT LED bulb is equivalent to 100 watt?

LED equivalents to traditional incandescent light bulbs

Do LED lights get hot?

Yes, new technology LED lighting can and will get hot, but when compared to the lighting of the past, temperatures are much safer. The heat from the lighting will also warm your surrounding environment but in comparison to old incandescent lighting, this ambient heat is greatly reduced when using LED lighting.

Are LED tubes better than fluorescent?

LED tube lighting is the better choice because it lasts about 40,000 hours longer in testing, is more energy efficient, will save you more money, and will leave less impact on the environment.

Can I use a 100w LED in a 60w socket?

One question that often comes up is this: “Can I use an LED with a higher wattage equivalent than the bulb I am replacing, such as a 100-Watt equal LED bulb in a 60-Watt rated socket, to get more light from my fixture?” The short answer is yes—as long as it still consumes fewer watts than the fixture is rated for.

Why incandescent bulbs are better?

This brings incandescents into the efficiency range of LED and fluorescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs look so good because they emit all colors of light, whereas LEDs and other more efficient light sources only manage a subset of all the colors of visible light.

Why do LED bulbs not work in some lamps?

There might be a couple of reasons why sometimes you cannot simply put LEDs in any old fixture. As mentioned previously, if an existing fixture has a dimming feature, and your new LEDs are not compatible. You will run into trouble with dimming capability, such as flickering or strobing or incomplete dimming.