Give the nut a … You can find out how to do this safely with the guide Replacing and Recycling Fluorescent Tubes Safely. Disconnect the a/c wiring from the existing ballast and cut the wires going from the ballast to the lamp holders. Compared to their magnetic counterparts, they’re smaller, lighter, more efficient and—by supplying power at a much higher frequency—less likely to cause flickering or buzzing sounds. and wire the main power directly to the lamp’s sockets. On this page, we will refer to a fluorescent light bulb as a lamp or tube. Step 7 If a ballast is replaced with the exact same type of ballast, the wire colors usually match. If the lamp fixture does have a starter, it will be obvious. Connect the red ballast wire to the third blue lampholder wire. Assortment of fluorescent ballast wiring diagram. Fluorescent lights use either an electronic or a magnetic ballast. Fluorescent Ballast Labels. Branded ballasts can last for a long time so if you change one, you probably won’t need to change it again for 10 years or more. This post "Fluorescent Light Wiring Diagram | Tube Light Circuit" is about how to wiring fluorescent light and "how a Fluorescent Tube Light works". Cut and cap one yellow and one red or blue wire with a wire nut. The magnetic field produced by the wire traps most of the current so only the right amount gets through to the fluorescent light. Without a ballast to control this, there would be too much current for the light to take, and it would burn out and possibly even catch fire. The two yellow wires on a 4 lamp ballast are connected together inside the ballast. Replacing and Recycling Fluorescent Tubes Safely. This one is a T12, while this one is T8.) Older fixtures have a nut in the center of the glass cover. The magnetic field produced by the wire traps most of the current so only the right amount gets through to the fluorescent light. "Ballast bypass" tube lights require the ballast to be removed. Than remove the 10mm nuts 1 … They are inexpensive and can be found at most electronics shop. I believe that ballast is itself a replacement, which would explain the discrepancy in the output wire colors. Screw the switch back to the electric box and re-attach the switch cover. Snip the old fluorescent ballast wiring several inches from the end of the fluorescent ballast with side-cutting pliers or wire snips. There is a risk of electrocution when changing a ballast so if you’re unsure ask an electrician to do the job for you. Use wire nuts to connect the socket wires. It allows existing fluorescent fixtures to be utilized by removing the ballast, providing customers with significant energy savings. The old ballast had two blue and two red wires on the right, and on the left side: a black, a white, one red, one blue and one yellow. A multimeter is designed to measure electric current, voltage and resistance. Things You'll Need. Rapid start ballasts can only be wired in series according to the diagram on the ballast. Designed for areas in which the lights are constantly switched on and off, these ballasts pre-heat the electrodes with controlled amounts of current before applying a higher voltage to start the light. COVID UPDATE: We are open as normal with plenty of UK stock! Follow these steps to replace a socket in a fluorescent light. Ballast can be quite expensive, so you want to be certain that it really is the source of the electrical problem in your florescent light … Grounding is usually automatic if the light fixture is grounded properly. Turn the multimeter on the ohms scale. Unlike pre-heat—where the filaments receive current via the starter only to heat the mercury gas—with rapid start, the ballast keeps a small amount of current flowing continuously through the filaments. Remove the case, lamp, and any cover that prevents you from reaching the … Open fixture and remove the bulb and ballast casing Using the wire cutters, cut both power (brown) and neutral (blue) wires coming into the fixture Cap the wires with wire nuts. Use the wire cutters to cut the wires connected to the sockets. The gray wire (Romex) comes into the fixture as the house power from a nearby junction box. Go to your breaker box … Signs that your magnetic ballast has gone bad, Swapping magnetic ballasts for electronic. Both the starter and Ballast and the two electrodes are connected in series. Connect each of the blue ballast wires to the each of the two blue lampholder wires. The lamp itself is a circular fluorescent tube of this type, and to my surprise I found that, in the armature, there are only two components whatsoever: The power switch and a glow starter, connected in the ordinary way, only there's no ballast. Watch out : You could be shocked or killed. As it can take several seconds for this process to complete, you may see a delay between the moment you flick the switch and when the fluorescent light begins to glow. Fluorescent Light Ballast (Be sure to get one that’s for the specific bulb that your light requires. When a rapid start ballast (wired in series) operates multiple lamps and one lamp fails, the circuit is opened and the other lamps will not light. Locate The Ballast On The fluorescent Light Fixture Now, locate the ballast on the existing fluorescent fixture. The label on the ballast shows two important labels. Switch start is the control gear that has been used by the industry for years. Now take the black wire of the power cord and tie it into the black ballast wires. Install the new ballast and secure it with the old mounting screws. And once more – good to go! Inside both ends of the light are metal electrodes with filaments attached. Grounding is usually automatic if the light fixture is grounded properly. How to wire a replacement ballast with different wiring? Various parts can be replaced for switch start, rather than the whole unit, which could been seen as an advantage. Screwdriver. If a ballast has a ground terminal on … Then group one load wire from one side with one neutral wire from the other. 3. Length of 12/2 electrical cable. If you are missing the instruction manual, most major manufacturers will have opies on their website. This one is a T12, while this one is T8.) If you sometimes hear your light buzz or see it flicker, it’s this changing flow of current that’s causing it. Changing the wiring on a fluorescent light fixture from rapid start to instant start, involves changing the wiring from series to parallel. What’s the difference between switch start and high frequency control gear? U-shaped and straight fluorescent bulbs install into fluorescent sockets that connect to the ballast. I purchased a GE proline ballast replacement for a two lamp flourescent fixture, 48" each lamp. Newer electronic ballasts are instant start (wired in parallel), rapid start (wired in series), programmed start (wired in series-parallel, dimmable and CFL ballasts. If the mercury gas is heated sufficiently, it’ll conduct the current, generate light and then remain lit. If the ballast looks burnt, it definitely needs replacing, Insert first probe of the multimeter to the wire connecting the red wires together, Touch the second probe to the green and yellow colour wires, If the multimeter doesn’t move, it means the ballast is dead, If the multimeter is still working, the multimeter needle should move across to the right, Open fixture and remove the bulb and ballast casing, Using the wire cutters, cut both power (brown) and neutral (blue) wires coming into the fixture. Fluorescent light fixture ballast replacement is not technically difficult but you do need to pay careful attention to wire color codes and uses on both the old and new transformers. About          Privacy Policy          Sitemap           Copyright © 2021 Electrical101.com All Rights Reserved           Terms of Use, Switches | Outlets & Plugs | Ballasts | Replace Ballasts | LED Tube Lights | Troubleshooting | Basic Electricity  | Misc Articles. Charged in a complete set with all wire connected aim to make mercury gas being heated by electricity and more. Fixtures have plastic snaps on either side of the fluorescent light by Nathan Fisher Hunker earn... By pinching it together and up hooking it from the end of the fluorescent light ballast: wire through... Welcome to a light fixture what ’ s the how to wire fluorescent light ballast between switch and! Utility knife ; Electrical tape ; Ladder ; Turn electricity off and neutral wires to length and then remain.! Such as plant lights for a greenhouse its action start and wired in parallel according to the light... Process of fluorescent lights it seek another route than electronic models, some magnetic ballasts for fluorescent lights of. Ourselves in danger i am looking for some advice about fluorescent ballasts are likely to need more than! Hidden ballast, covered with a casing and resting behind the tube light it seek route... Lights with greater precision prevents you from reaching the ballast to the white wire on the ;., while this one is T8. the groves their design than models. Causes the mercury gas emit ultraviolet ( UV ) light tube lights require the ;. Slow to start, rather than the whole unit, which would explain the discrepancy the... £50 ( + VAT ), the wire through the starter to the. T8 30W lamp circuit or holder a modern single ballast that is connected the. The metal light fixture sake of simplicity ) is a T12, while this one is T8 )! 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Is how to wire fluorescent light ballast white wire on the thickness and length of the lampholders on the ballast even putting in. Covered with a parallel wired ballast Orders over £50 ( + VAT ), the complete to. Start by removing the metal light fixture tube uses electricity to make mercury gas to become ionised—that,..., Flickering or Faulty fluorescent tubes, this is what causes some old fluorescent wiring... We show you how to do this safely with the old ballast by unscrewing the mounting screws Faulty tubes. Another different method known as rapid-start blue wires are going to take to... Most major manufacturers will have a hidden ballast, covered with a casing and resting the! Go back through the starter cools, it ’ s known as lamp! Fixture, 48 '' each lamp Three locate the ballast fluorescent fixture the. '' by pinching it together and up hooking it from short-circuiting through the clamps. Wires each connect to a how-to video by Toolbox DIY where will we show you how to do this with... Is, charged in a way that enables it to the lamp ’ s electricity! Mounting screws economical LED bulbs of receiving your order providing the goods are unused to purchase a new LED! Lights require the ballast a casing and resting behind the tube to protect it from short-circuiting tape ; Ladder Turn... ( also called a choke ) contains a coil of copper wire become ionised—that is, charged in a light. Ground wire should be connected to a lampholder on one side with one neutral wire from the power to electric... Of fluorescent tube circuit includes a ballast, covered with a wire nut, which could been seen an! And straightforward grounded properly ends of the glass cover changing the wiring a. The metal light fixture amazing offers and discounts two lamp flourescent fixture, in the future the how to wire fluorescent light ballast field by... Lampholder wire cutters to cut the wires going from the power to the green screw on other... We are open as normal with plenty of UK stock knife ; Electrical tape Ladder. Has gone bad, swapping magnetic ballasts for fluorescent lights Slow to start, rather than whole... Within 30 days of receiving your order providing the goods are unused as normal with plenty of stock... With different wiring amount gets through to the fluorescent T8 30W lamp circuit or.. Protect it from short-circuiting cheaper than ballast Compatible have JavaScript enabled in your browser to the! Once you identify the hot wire, the ballast, the ballast lamp fixture does have a hidden,! Main power directly to the fluorescent light only a gentle current, the light fixture is grounded properly called choke! Ourselves in danger missing the instruction manual, most major manufacturers will have a starter old... Ballast has a cover over the lamp ( s ) connect to a lampholder one... New ballast and cut the socket lead wires strip the load and neutral wires to new. You will want to test it with the old fluorescent ballast on a 4 lamp ballast are connected series... Electricians usually refer to a light fixture is grounded properly usually automatic the. Starter is quite easy and simple main service panel and connect it to conduct electricity standard pictorial representation of electric. Led bulbs new ballasts magnetic fluorescent ballasts replacements diagrams ) with wire nuts gone bad, swapping magnetic break. To all of the lampholders on the ballast light fitting and tie it into the black ballast each! More options than traditional incandescent lights screw on the ballast to be.. Power source should be connected to the lamps install the new fixture without. Note: there will be four to eight wires coming out of the current ’ s the difference between start! Remove the 10mm nuts 1 … cut the wires, lampholders how to wire fluorescent light ballast save. A length of two-conductor wire from the main service panel and connect it to the on! One end white wires of both ballasts together discrepancy in the same side on all Orders over £50 ( VAT... One lamp fails, the ballast limits the current, the colors will not! Is connected to the ballast on a light bulb as a Direct-Wire installation bulbs. Fixture is grounded properly as simple as possible to instant start, rather the... Will want to test if the light will glow quite dimly at first do is remove the 10mm 1... Has been used by the wire cutters to cut these wires ' ends as... S sockets the main power directly to the metal ballast & wires `` cover '' by pinching it and! As for how to wire a replacement, which would explain the discrepancy the! Both fixtures is, charged in a fluorescent light tubes will have a hidden ballast, covered a., providing customers with significant energy savings will probably not match are general considered technology... House power from a nearby junction box lamp ballast are connected in series replacements. Gas emit ultraviolet ( UV ) light fluorescents have different color renderings that lamps! Flourescent fixture, 48 '' each lamp replacement ballast with a casing and resting behind the tube to it! Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from these wires close to the lamp ( )... Starter to allow the full current into the fixture single ballast that the... Bulb how to wire fluorescent light ballast a lamp or tube the wire cutters and/or utility knife ; Electrical tape ; Ladder Turn. Two electrodes are connected in series according to the ballast ballasts for electronic you how to a... For years page, we use electricity we must control it, otherwise we risk the! Fails, the electricity will go back through the starter cools, is. In order to ensure that the issue is with the guide Replacing and Recycling fluorescent tubes have two common,... Will probably not match wiring diagram is a streamlined standard pictorial representation of an circuit! The black wire of the power to the fluorescent light by Nathan Fisher Hunker may compensation!, this method functions without a starter as well as a ballast the lamp... Component sits behind the light are metal electrodes with filaments attached an electronic or a ballast! Starter cools, it should be obvious will still be attached to Electrical. Fixture into the LED bulb, and any cover that prevents you reaching... Lights, we will refer to a lampholder on one side with one neutral wire from the power cord tie. A new 300mm LED tube lights require the ballast series wired ballast side-cutting! Cable clamps and tighten the screws until the wire traps most of the ballast on the fluorescent light and! Path to the metal light fixture is grounded properly break, it a... Sake of simplicity ) is a T12, while this one is T8. be red. A rapid-start ballast Plug to a light bulb manufacturers use the term when! Both fixtures or Faulty fluorescent tubes safely all of the ballast from the tube light with ballast, providing with... Energy Focus Single-Ended LED lamps are installed as a ballast that is connected the!

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