Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Madams40's Avatar
    Madams40 Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 19, 2008, 11:52 AM
    Testing Electronic Ballasts?
    I have an 8' fluorescent fixture in my garage and when it wouldn't come on the other day I assumed the bulbs needed replaced so I put two new bulbs in and still no light. I have checked the power going into the ballast but don't have a clue as to how to test the ballast to see if it has gone bad. Any suggestions will be appreciated. :confused:
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Jan 19, 2008, 04:27 PM
    How cold is the garage? Some fixtures are not rated for low temperatures. It is well below zero here and none in my garage will come on, but they all work again when it warms up.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Jan 19, 2008, 06:02 PM
    If you have 120 volts to ballast input, and you have good bulbs, and there is still a problem, it is either a bad Ballast or bad sockets, Or the new bulbs are bad.
    I think the ground is important for flourescents to get a push against the high voltage.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    Jan 20, 2008, 05:42 AM
    All ballasts and lamps have minimum temperature operating ratings. This is usually listed on the ballast labels. Not so on lamps, but will be listed on the lamp data sheet provided by the manufacturer.

    Zero is much lower than the typical 50 deg F rating of most ballasts and lamps.

    The ground is needed as lamps must be within a certain distance of a grounded surface, since the lamp and ballast utilizes the capacitance between the lamp wall and the grounded metal surface for starting purposes.

    Each ballast as it's own specs and test secondary voltages, published by the manufacturer.

    If new lamps don't help, and all the connections and lampholders seem to be in good shape, all we do is replace the ballast.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Electronic project [ 2 Answers ]

Hi I want to fix a circuit with a led. I need to use a transistor to play the role of the switch to the led.I want to switch on the led by playing a sound.I know I need a microphone connected to the base of the transistor. That is how far my knowledge goes.any help?? can this be done?and if yes...

Fluorescent light ballasts '?' -- primarily for TK [ 11 Answers ]

My church has acoustical tile ceilings, and therefore is lit in the majority of areas with 2x4' recessed fluorescent fixtures. These are the types with four bulbs and two ballasts. When they moved into this location, one of the maintenance men unscrewed one bulb in each fixture, so only two...

Replacing ballasts in floursecant lamp [ 2 Answers ]

Hello, I had the light bulbs go out in one of my kitchen floursecant lamp fixtures. I purchased new bulbs, thinking that would fix the problem. The lights do not come one when new bulbs are installed. I switched working floursecant bulbs from another fixture into the non-working fixture and...

Luminaires & lamp and ballasts [ 1 Answers ]

What is difference between Luminaires & lamp and ballasts?

View more questions Search