Why wont my fluorescent lights work?
4 min read
Asked by: Regenald Rodrigues
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.
Why are my fluorescent lights not coming 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.
What will you do when fluorescent lamp fails to light?
Troubleshooting a Fluorescent Light
- Fixture does not light. Check for power and test to see if the bulb is seated properly in the sockets. …
- Tube flickers: First, check to make sure the tube is securely seated in the sockets. …
- Fixture hums or buzzes: Replace the ballast (see “How to Replace a Fluorescent Ballast,” above).
How do I know if its the ballast or bulb?
Take out your current bulbs and replace them with the new bulbs. If the bulbs fail to light up, then 9 out of 10 times the ballast is culprit. You could also try using a multimeter set to measure resistance.
How do you 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.
Where is the ballast located on a fluorescent light?
Remove the Cover Plate
Locate the wiring cover plate, usually in the center of the fixture. On either side of the cover, there will be tabs that catch in slots in the fixture. Squeeze the sides of the cover inward to slip the tabs out of the slots, and pull the cover down. This will expose the ballast and its wiring.
Why does my fluorescent light work sometimes and not others?
Bad switches can be intermittent. Turn off the switch and take the tubes back out and put them back in making sure they’re fully snapped in. It’s worth a try. Don’t go buy more, but if you have other new tubes try them.
How do I know if my fluorescent tubes are bad?
How to Tell If a Fluorescent Tube Is Bad?
- Check the ends of the tube. If they appear darkened this indicates the bulb is burned out.
- Rotate the tube in the fixture if the bulb is not darkened on either end.
- Remove the bulb from the fixture if the bulb is still not illuminating.
How do you know if a fluorescent tube is blown?
Tip. Very occasionally, a blown fluorescent bulb will emit an acrid odor and a little bit of smoke. Very rarely, the bulb will catch fire from the ballast, or socket end, failing.
How long do fluorescent tubes last?
LED tubes last an average of 50,000 hours (roughly 16 years) while fluorescent T8 tubes last an average of 25,000 (roughly 8 years).
How much should it cost to replace a ballast?
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 long should a ballast last?
12 to 15 years
According 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.
How do you fix a bad ballast?
We can cut any wires that are holding the ballast in place. And once we've done this we can go ahead and remove the ballast. From the lighting fixture. Guys once you have the bottles removed.
How do I know if my ballast is working?
Your 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.
Are ballasts easy to replace?
You can get a new ballast at a hardware store or home center and install it in about 10 minutes. However, buying a ballast can be expensive, so consider pricing a brand-new fixture for comparison.
Are ballasts repairable?
While simply swapping burned out bulbs in an existing ballast is deemed “ballast repair” by many – and can offer advantages in longevity and energy savings – sometimes this simple “fix” is not enough.
Can you touch fluorescent tubes?
If you touch the bulb with your fingers, the salts and oils from your skin will damage the bulb and cause the heat to concentrate. This can significantly reduce the life of the bulb or even worse cause it to shatter. For this reason most halogen capsule bulbs that you buy will be sealed in plastic inside the box.
