Table of Contents
When should I replace my fluorescent ballast?
When your fluorescent light flickers or makes a loud and annoying hum, a degrading ballast is the cause. The ballast takes in electricity and then regulates current to the bulbs. A typical ballast will generally last about 20 years, but cold environments and bad bulbs can decrease this lifespan significantly.
Why does my fluorescent light flicker when off?
When a CFL flickers, the cause is usually in the light switch, which is either a dimmer or a switch with an illuminate rocker. Illuminated switches pass a small amount of current even when they’re turned to the “off” position, which is enough to charge the capacitor in the CFL and cause a momentary illumination.
How do you know if your ballast is bad?
If fluorescent light ballasts have gone bad, they might become dim, buzz, change color or go through fast blinking cycles. All parts of the light should be inspected for default before replacement. A multimeter can be used to make certain that it is indeed the ballast itself that has gone bad.
What is the life expectancy of a fluorescent light ballast?
Depending on the number of operating hours, the typical life expectancy of a fluorescent light ballast is between 6 and 12 years. The failure rate prior to the end of the useful life of ballasts is about 10\%.
How do you replace ballast?
To replace a fluorescent light ballast, take off the cover of the old ballast, cut out the wiring, unscrew the old ballast and attach the new ballast. Ballast replacement is a common solution to flickering or humming fluorescent lights.
Why do fluorescent lights and ballasts fail?
Another reason why a fluorescent lamp may fail to work is because there’s a problem with the ballast. You can tell your ballast may be going if the light begins to diminish or blinks rapidly. Another sign can be if the fluorescent lamp stops working abruptly.