Umair Gaines
Fluorescent lights require a ballast to work, and faulty fluorescent light fixtures may be due to a bad ballast. Before attempting to replace a ballast, it is important to ensure that power is cut off to the fixture and the area is safe to work in. The ballast can then be removed and replaced with a new one, ensuring that the wiring diagram, voltage, and current match. Finally, the power can be restored to test the fixture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to replace | Fluorescent lights flicker, make a loud and annoying hum, or struggle to turn on |
| When not to replace | Fluorescent lights are being phased out in favour of LEDs, so consider upgrading to an LED fixture instead |
| How to identify ballast model | Cut the power to the light fixture, open up the box, and identify the model printed on the ballast |
| What to purchase | A replacement ballast with the same wiring configuration, voltage rating, wattage, and amperage draw as the original |
| Where to purchase | A hardware store, home centre, lighting supply store, home improvement store, lighting centre, or online |
| How to prepare | Turn off the circuit breaker, disconnect the wiring, and remove the cover plate and ballast |
| How to install | Mount the new ballast, strip the electrical wiring, connect the wires, and replace the cover plate and bulbs |
| How to test | Restore power and turn on the light to test for proper operation |
| How to dispose | Take the old ballast to a hazardous waste recycling site, following local disposal practices |
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What You'll Learn
How to identify a faulty ballast
Fluorescent light ballasts are electrical devices designed to regulate the electrical current flowing through fluorescent bulbs. They ensure proper voltage and stable light output. Without a ballast, fluorescent lights will not operate.
A faulty ballast will usually present some warning signs. Common symptoms of a bad ballast include dimming lights, a loud humming or buzzing noise, rapid flickering, or changes in colour. As ballasts age, they slowly lose the ability to regulate current and voltage, leading to uncontrollable bursts of increased current, which cause the lights to flicker. This flickering will increase as the ballast nears the end of its life, and the lamps will eventually burn out.
To identify a faulty ballast, you can perform a few simple tests. Firstly, check for any obvious signs of damage, such as burn marks, a swollen casing, or leaking oil (in older magnetic ballasts). If you've recently replaced the bulb and are still experiencing issues, the ballast is likely the culprit. You can then try replacing the bulb with a new one; if the new lamp fails to light up, it's almost certainly a ballast issue.
If you want to be absolutely sure, you can use a multimeter to test the ballast's function. First, make sure the power is off and confirm with a voltage tester that there is no current flowing through the fixture. Then, carefully remove the fluorescent tubes to access the ballast. Expose the ballast by opening the fixture's cover—usually a metal cover—with an insulated screwdriver. Once the ballast is exposed, use the multimeter to test for continuity. Place the probes on the ballast terminals. If there is no continuity, the ballast is faulty and needs replacement.
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How to remove the old ballast
Before starting any work on your fluorescent light fixture, ensure you have cut the power to the light by turning off the circuit breaker. If there is still power going through the circuit, call an electrician.
First, remove the fluorescent light tubes. Twist the bulbs about 90 degrees and gently tug down until the contacts slide out of the sockets. Then, take off the cover plate. Remove the wiring cover plate in the centre of the fixture to expose the wires. Visually locate the tabs that hold the cover in place, then squeeze in the sides of the cover to release the tabs from the slots, and pull down to remove the cover.
Check for voltage with a non-contact voltage tester. Take a photo of the wires, which you can reference when hooking up the new ballast. Disconnect the ballast wires by removing the connectors or cutting the wires as close to the ballast as possible.
Now, remove the old ballast. Support it with your hand to keep it from falling and use a socket wrench to remove the mounting hardware. Unscrew the ballast mounting nuts or other attachment mechanisms and drop the old ballast free.
Dispose of the old ballast carefully. Ballasts made before 1979 often contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a known environmental toxin. If your old ballast is leaking a black, tar-like substance, handle it with caution and avoid skin contact. Always take old ballasts to the nearest hazardous waste recycling site.
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How to find a replacement ballast
Fluorescent lights have either magnetic or electronic ballasts. Magnetic ballasts are older and can go bad, causing the light to hum, drip a black tar-like substance, go off, or flicker. Electronic ballasts, on the other hand, are more modern, energy-efficient, quieter, and less prone to problems.
When choosing a replacement ballast, it is important to consider the type of lamp you are using. For example, a T8 ballast will not work for T5 lamps. You should also check that the tubes are not self-ballasted LEDs. "Plug-and-play" LEDs are a popular option to replace fluorescent tubes when the tubes need to be replaced or the ballast fails.
Ballasts are designed to power a specific number or range of lamps, so it is important to ensure that the ballast you choose will power all the lamps in your fixture. Most ballasts power either two or four lamps. Additionally, consider the ballast factor, which determines the light output of the lamps. A higher ballast factor will result in greater light output.
When purchasing a replacement ballast, it is important to match the specifications of your old one as closely as possible, including the wiring configuration, voltage rating, wattage, and amperage draw. If you cannot find an exact match, you can use a ballast with a slightly higher amperage. You can find replacement ballasts at hardware stores, home improvement stores, lighting centres, and online.
If you are unsure whether the problem with your fluorescent light is due to a faulty ballast, you can test it with a multimeter. Multimeters are designed to measure electric current, voltage, and resistance and can be found at most electronics shops. To test the ballast, switch off the power to the light fixture, remove the light casing and bulbs, and then remove the ballast from the fixture. Set the multimeter to the ohm setting and insert the first probe into the wire connecting the red wires. If the ballast looks burnt, it needs to be replaced.
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How to install the new ballast
Before installing a new ballast, ensure you have purchased one with the same wiring configuration, voltage rating, wattage, and amperage draw as the original ballast. If you cannot find an exact match, opt for a ballast with a slightly higher amperage.
Before installing the new ballast, inspect the wiring of your old one to ensure that you can reuse it with your new ballast. Cut away any damaged insulation on each wire and check that all wires are securely fastened in their proper terminals. Double-check that each wire is connected correctly before proceeding.
Now, carefully place your new ballast over the screw holes of the old ballast, so no additional holes are required. Secure the new ballast to the electrical box with screws provided by the manufacturer; alternatively, use metal tape if provided in your kit.
Finally, mount the new ballast in the fixture. Strip the electrical wiring back 1/2 inch. Connect the power supply and lamp conductors according to the wiring diagram using wire connectors. Replace the ballast compartment cover and bulbs.
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How to dispose of the old ballast
Fluorescent light ballasts manufactured through 1979 may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are harmful chemicals. If the ballast is leaking, it is considered hazardous waste and must be handled with care. In this case, the EPA recommends taking the ballast to your local waste disposal site. If the ballast is not leaking, it can be recycled or disposed of properly.
Some sources suggest that ballasts without PCBs can be put in the trash. However, it is important to check the label to determine if the ballast contains PCBs. If the label does not indicate this, assume that the ballast contains PCBs and dispose of it accordingly.
There are a few options for disposing of old fluorescent light ballasts:
- Take them to your local waste disposal site, which can handle hazardous waste.
- Recycle the ballasts at a recycling centre that accepts old electronics. Some sources mention that Home Depot has free recycling bins for small ballasts.
- Reuse or sell the ballasts online if they are still functional.
- Contact your local household hazardous waste collection sites for free disposal of PCB-containing ballasts.
It is important to properly dispose of old fluorescent light ballasts to prevent potential health and environmental hazards.
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Frequently asked questions
If your light fixture is having problems, it may be time to replace the ballast. If your light is flickering, making a loud humming noise, or struggling to turn on, the ballast could be the reason. You can check this by using a multimeter or voltage detector to see if power is flowing to the ballast but not to the light bulbs.
First, turn off the power to the circuit containing the light fixture. Then, remove the light cover and the bulbs. Disconnect the ballast wires and remove the old ballast. Purchase a replacement ballast with the same wiring configuration, voltage rating, and current as the original. Prepare the wires for the new ballast, then mount the new ballast to the fixture. Finally, restore power and test the fixture.
Replacement ballasts can be found at hardware stores, home improvement stores, lighting supply stores, lighting centres, and online. You can find the correct ballast for your light fixture by taking the part number from the old ballast or the light fixture itself to the store.
Replacement ballasts can be expensive, so it may be worth comparing the cost of a new ballast to the cost of a new fixture. It is also worth noting that fluorescent lights are being phased out in favour of LED lights, which are more energy-efficient. Therefore, it may be worth upgrading to an LED fixture instead of simply replacing the ballast.
