Do you need an electrician to replace a ballast?
Table of Contents
- 1 Do you need an electrician to replace a ballast?
- 2 Can I replace my own ballast?
- 3 How long do fluorescent ballasts last?
- 4 How can you tell if the ballast is bad?
- 5 Why do ballasts go bad?
- 6 Do you need to replace the ballast on a fluorescent light?
- 7 What should I look for when buying a new ballast?
- 8 How do I choose the best start ballast for office lighting?
Do you need an electrician to replace a ballast?
Yes. As a matter of fact, you do need a lock out tag out device in place for changing a ballast. ‘An electrician is replacing the ballast on a fluorescent light.
Can I replace my own ballast?
The ballast takes in electricity and then regulates current to the bulbs. 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.
When should a ballast be replaced?
2. Look for warning signs that the ballast is failing.
- Buzzing. If you hear a strange sound coming from your bulbs or light fixture, like a buzzing or humming noise, that’s often a sign your ballast is going.
- Dimming or flickering.
- No lights at all.
- Changing colors.
- Swollen casing.
- Burn marks.
- Water damage.
- Leaking oil.
How long do fluorescent ballasts last?
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 can you tell if the ballast is bad?
If the ballast is good, an analog multimeter has a needle that will sweep to the right across the measuring scale. If the ballast is bad, then the needle won’t move. If you’re using a digital multimeter, often the digital readout will possibly list a “1” when it doesn’t find a measurable resistance.
How do you know when a fluorescent 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.
Why do ballasts go bad?
Causes of Ballast Failure Premature ballast failure is often caused by the surrounding environment. When it’s too hot or too cold, the ballast can burn or fail to start your lamps at all. Heat combined with prolonged condensation inside an electronic ballast can cause corrosion.
Do you need to replace the ballast on a fluorescent light?
If there is oil present, then you’ll need to replace the entire ballast, as the internal seal has been damaged by excessive heat from the light. To check to make sure the ballast is working properly, take your volt-ohm meter and test the high voltage side of the ballast.
What is the function of the ballast in fluorescent lights?
The ballast in a fluorescent lighting system is the mechanism that regulates the current to the lamps and provides the correct voltage needed to start the lamps. Without this ballast, there would be nothing to regulate the increasing current and the bulb would burn out in seconds once the lamp was turned on.
What should I look for when buying a new ballast?
You need to be sure that the new ballast has matching wiring, voltage, and current before you buy it. Sometimes, it may be more expensive to buy a new ballast than to purchase a completely new fixture, so it’s recommended that you do a little price shopping before you make your purchase.
How do I choose the best start ballast for office lighting?
Programmed start ballasts are the usual choice if your lights are connected to a motion sensor. Motion sensors and programmed start ballasts are a more energy-efficient option for office lighting, as they can maximize the number of lamp starting cycles while conserving energy. Instant start ballasts are not heated before the light is switched on.