Log in

View Full Version : Electronic ballast


KLMSSM
Dec 14, 2013, 11:32 PM
In the past year I have had to replace T5 fluoresent bulbs 3 times, after the second time I replaced the complete fixture. Six mo. Later and the bulbs are gone again. The person at the store said that maybe there is a voltage surge causing the burn out; has anyone heard of this? This fixture is on a two way switch, I have checked voltage and it's OK. One thing strange is that which ever wire between the two switches is not hot registers an induced voltage of 20.5 volts; is this normal? When I remove the feed hot wire from the circuit there is no shorts, opens, or grounds. This is a three tube 28 watt bulb with electronic ballast fixture.

hkstroud
Dec 15, 2013, 09:43 AM
This fixture is on a two way switch
I assume you mean a two 3-way switches.

which ever wire between the two switches is not hot registers an induced voltage of 20.5 volts;

Described the wiring. While the traveler being used would induce a voltage in the unused traveler, it should be canceled out by either the neutral or the return leg which should be in the same cable.

This however should no affect the fixture. Did fixture come with bulbs when purchased?

KLMSSM
Dec 16, 2013, 10:08 AM
The bulbs did not come with the fixture, however they are the ones listed on the packaging (28 watt T5's three of them.) As to the induced voltage... you confirmed what I thought. Any additional idea's what may cause pre-mature burn out?