Since fluorescent lamps are now being made with lower amounts of mercury than in the past, this has now become a much more common problem for the failure of the fixtures. When a fluorescent lamp is beginning to lose its mercury, you can tell by the color of its light, which will begin to look pink.
If you find yourself with a fluorescent lamp you now need to dispose of, what's the proper and environmentally-conscious way to do so? Because of that, there are certain protocols that must be followed when disposing of a fluorescent lamp. These protocols can also depend on where these fluorescent bulbs are operating.
For instance, the EPA has an entire set of rules that must be followed for those handling fluorescent lamps in school buildings. Additionally, certain states -- such as California -- have their own rules for how fluorescent lamps should be taken care of.
They also advise recycling CFLs and mention some states -- including California, Minnesota, and Washington -- which require residents to recycle CFLs rather than just throwing them away, where they can be broken in a trash compactor and the mercury inside them released. Another reason why a fluorescent lamp may fail to work is that there's a problem with the ballast. You can tell your ballast may be malfunctioning is if the light begins to diminish or starts to blink at a rapid pace.
Another sign can be if the fluorescent lamp stops working very abruptly -- most of the symptoms of a malfunctioning lamp happen over a long period of time, which is why a lamp that just suddenly cuts out may be an indicator of a ballast problem. How long the electronics inside the ballast is going to last normally depends on what operating temperature you're using. It's important to check what the minimum and maximum operating temperatures are for the ballast you are using, which are based on what the manufacturer recommends.
That can make a huge difference in the monetary cost of replacing your fluorescent lamps and is not recommended. Additionally, there might be problems if your ballast is not properly wired to the fluorescent lamps, causing it to malfunction. If you find your ballast seems not to be operating at its peak performance, this may be the cause, especially if it's a new installation.
Plus, checking in and fixing this is a relatively easy solution, which beats having to replace either your lamp or ballast altogether. Another tip to remember -- sometimes a ballast has a control inside where if it begins to overheat, it will automatically shut itself off, turning off the light along with it.
Then, after it is allowed to cool down for a few minutes, it will turn back on. Facebook Twitter Instagram. December 12, Without a ballast to limit current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly increase its current draw, meaning that the lamp would overheat and burn out within seconds… Are Light Ballasts Necessary for LED Lights? Signs of a Problem Ballast failure is often caused by the surrounding environment—mainly heat and moisture.
Tim Kyle Electric can Help! Share this post. Share on facebook. Share on twitter. Share on linkedin. Share on email. Low output. Inconsistent lighting levels. Switch to an electronic ballast, keep lamp. Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to a T8 fluorescent. When you hear a buzzing sound coming from your fixture or the bulbs flicker or do not come on, check the ballast to see if it needs to be replaced.
Turn off the fluorescent fixture's circuit breaker inside the breaker panel. Remove the lens cover from the fixture. Cut the socket lead wires. The socket lead wires most likely red and blue-colored wires are located on the other side of the ballast and connect to wires going out of the ballast to the sockets which should be non-shunted sockets for T8 LEDs.
These output wires provide the power to the lamps. Depending on the size of the replacement project, a licensed electrician isn't always necessary; however, if you don't have the proper tools or experience, it is a good idea to consult with a licensed electrician before attempting the replacement.
LED technology does not require a ballast to regulate the amount of energy flowing to the lights. Additionally, removing the ballast will reduce energy usage and result in even great cost-savings as ballasts continue to draw more power than necessary. 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.
Some people may suggest removing the parts of the ballast casing and cleaning the electrical board. When the ballast fails, the bulb will flicker or fail to light. Although changing a ballast is safer with the power off, sometimes it is impractical, such as in a crowded store or office space, and you must replace the ballast without cutting the power.
If you see burn marks inside the device or on wires, replace it. If this is the case, you may need to replace your bulbs too. If you have an older magnetic coil ballast, it could be leaking oil and malfunction.
Carefully clean the area before replacing it. Here are a few signs that your ballast might need replacing: 1.
Know if your light even requires a ballast. Look for warning signs that the ballast is failing. Dimming or flickering If your bulbs are very slow to reach full brightness or strobe periodically, there may be a problem beyond the bulb.
Changing colors Your lights should consistently shine at the same brightness and hue. Check the ballast itself.
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