Fluorescent Lights: All you need to know
- When you replace a ballast make sure it is intended for the exact lamps that are being used.
- If the old fixture had a magnetic ballast then you may consider upgrading the fixture to a solid state ballast.
- Most of the time the sockets will not need to be changing, but remember, you will need to make sure that the lamps to the ballast.
- Solid state ballasts are more energy efficient. They produce less heat and are less sensitive to cool temperature starting problems.
Bad Lamps
- Dark circles at the end of the lamps. This will indicate that the lamp is on its way out.
- You can expect to change the lamp every two years but this will depend on the amount of use.
- If you notice that the lamp is staring to give problems or has a dark ring you need to replace them. Allowing the lamps to burn out in the sockets can burn out the ballast.
- When you replace a ballast you need to replace the lamps as well.
- Purchasing a lamps is less expensive that a ballast, so don’t ignore the problem.
- The lamp won't work correctly is the pins are not making contact or not in the socket correctly. To fix this remove the lamp and reinstall it. You need to make sure you line up the pins with the lamp socket and then giving the lamp a twist to seat the pins into place.
- Some sockets are made to push the lamp pins directly into place with a little snap-in pressure.
- Always check the lamp sockets to see which type your fixture has. Remember to never force a lamp you may break the pins or ballast.
- All fluorescent lights require a ground wire from the electrical circuit. This is attached to the metal frame of the light fixture.
- You need to make sure the ground wire has been attached. If the wire is not attached the fluorescent lamps may not light up all the way which will cause the lamps to burn out prematurely.
Cold Temperatures
- Older magnetic types of ballasts are slower to start in colder temperatures and after they do start the lamps flicker until they warm up.
- Upgrading the light fixture to an electronic ballast and new matching lamps usually takes care of this problem.
Fluorescent Tube and Circline Lamps
Tubes and circline bulbs are often used for industrial applications. The light emanating from these bulbs can be distinctive, making them less popular for residential use.
Compact Fluorescent and Screw-Socket Bulbs
These bulbs are the ones most commonly used for residential applications. The light from these bulbs is often engineered to mimic the light of an incandescent bulb.
Deciding which lamp to get?