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How To Install Fluorescent Light

How do you install a fluorescent light fixture?

Use a small-link chain to suspend the fixture from screw-in hooks or eyelets. Otherwise, hold the fixture against the ceiling in the designated mounting location. Drill your holes into the ceiling and the studs or, if using toggle bolts, just through the ceiling. Screw the fixture to the ceiling.

How are fluorescent lights wired?

How Fluorescent Lamps Work One of the electrodes is a bimetallic strip that bends when it is heated. Inside the casing of a conventional fluorescent starter there is a small gas discharge lamp. The ballast, starter switch and fluorescent bulb are all wired together in a simple circuit.

Can I wire a fluorescent light to a plug?

Having the fixture wired to a plug will allow it to be moved to where the light is needed, and used anywhere there is an electrical socket. Connecting a plug to a fluorescent light fixture is straightforward, but the terminals must be connected properly to avoid hazard from electrical shock.

Do fluorescent bulbs go in a certain way?

You will be able to rotate the tube in either direction a quarter-turn until it stops. This action rotates the prongs, that project from each end of the bulb, to a vertical alignment, and so allows you to slide the tube downward and out of the fixture. Gently lower the fluorescent tube straight down through the slot.

Does a fluorescent light need to be grounded?

The short answer is: no, they don’t need to be grounded, but it is way safer if they are. Many, if not all, electrical codes require installed light fixtures of all types to be grounded.

Why won’t my fluorescent light come out?

A dead fluorescent can be caused by lack of electrical power (tripped breaker or blown fuse), a dead or dying ballast, a dead starter or a dead bulb(s). Check for power first then the starter (if applicable) and then the bulbs. When all else fails, the ballast should be replaced.

How do you remove fluorescent light covers without clips?

If your kitchen is lit by a single fluorescent bulb instead of several, its cover may be held in place with a nut on the side. Use pliers or a wrench to twist this nut counterclockwise. When it comes off all the way, you can slide the bulb cover away from the nut.

What causes a fluorescent light to go on and off?

If a fluorescent tube blinks on and off-a slower and more distinct process than flickering-the fault may lie in loose wiring or in another component, called the ballast. The ballast is almost always to blame if the fixture hums during operation. If the light malfunctions, the ballast is at fault and must be replaced.

What are the parts of a fluorescent light fixture?

A fluorescent fixture has three main parts — the bulb, ballast, and starter. When one of these components malfunctions, replacement is usually the answer.

What is the part of fluorescent lamp?

General lighting There are two very distinct parts to fluorescent lighting: the tube and the fitting. Fluorescent tubes ionise mercury vapour to produce ultraviolet light, which is converted to visible light by the phosphor coating on the inside face of the tube.

What are the functions of ballast in a fluorescent fixture?

In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw.

What kind of wire is used for fluorescent lights?

Fixtures wire shall not be smaller than 18 AWG.” Once inside the fixture you can use #18 for not over 6 amps. It must be a type listed as fixture wire. Most Electricians would just use #14 and be done with it.

How many ballast are in a 4 bulb fluorescent light?

A 4 lamp fixture with two rapid start ballasts can be replaced with one 4 lamp instant start ballast. As seen below, connecting the 4 lamp instant start ballast to the four lamps can be a bit confusing.

Will a 4 bulb ballast work with 2 bulbs?

These ballasts have their capabilities listed on their label. check the circuit of the label, and also the type of lamps listed Therein . If your 2 lamps are listed, you can use it.

Where does ground wire go on fluorescent light fixture?

The screw is almost always directly attached to the metal body of the fixture or to metal that is connected to the metal body. The ground wire from the cable (also usually green) should be attached to the grounding wire on the fixture with a wire nut or screwed to the grounding screw.

Do Fluorescent lights need a neutral wire?

Yes, it does matter. By switching the ground, hot, and neutral wires you may inadvertently produce an electrocution hazard in the metal frame of the fluorescent fixture.

Are fluorescent lights earthed?

As the fluorescent light you have is a Class 1 metal cased type it must be earthed, leaving it unearthed presents an electric shock and possible fire risk.

Do all fluorescent lights need a ballast?

All fluorescent bulbs require a ballast. All compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs require a ballast, which is often integrated. All HID bulbs require a ballast, which is sometimes integrated. No LED bulbs require a ballast, although some are engineered to work with an existing ballast.

Do fluorescent lights need to warm up?

All compact fluorescent lamps require a slight warm-up time for the electrical current to fully heat the cathodes and reach their full lumen output. Covered CFLs typically have longer warm-up times – up to three minutes – because they have amalgam.

How do you remove a 4 foot fluorescent light cover?

Removing a Wraparound Fluorescent Light Cover The sides of the lens sit on a ledge with a small lip, and you can push it out of place easily. To remove a wraparound fluorescent light cover, simply grab one long side, push up, and then pull it down.