Fluorescent Light Ballast Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          15 - 30 minutes

Sections

Ballast
11 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Ballast

Prior to starting this procedure, be sure to turn off the necessary circuit breakers to cut off all power in your household or place of residence.
Turn off the light switch to the light prior to any work being done.
Remove the cover of the light fixture according to individual manufacturer’s instructions to expose the fluorescent bulbs.

Prior to starting this procedure, be sure to turn off the necessary circuit breakers to cut off all power in your household or place of residence.

Turn off the light switch to the light prior to any work being done.

Remove the cover of the light fixture according to individual manufacturer’s instructions to expose the fluorescent bulbs.

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Step 2

Check the bulbs for failure by looking for black coloring at the ends of the bulbs.
Remove the bulbs by twisting 90 degrees and carefully wiggling them and pulling down.

Check the bulbs for failure by looking for black coloring at the ends of the bulbs.

Remove the bulbs by twisting 90 degrees and carefully wiggling them and pulling down.

Step 3

Remove the cover in the center of the fixture to expose the wiring and ballast components.

Remove the cover in the center of the fixture to expose the wiring and ballast components.

Step 4

Verify there is no voltage to the fixture using the non-contact voltage tester according to device instructions.
Twist off the wire nut from the hot side(black or red wire) and neutral side(white wire).
DO NOT UNTWIST THE WIRES THEMSELVES.

Verify there is no voltage to the fixture using the non-contact voltage tester according to device instructions.

Twist off the wire nut from the hot side(black or red wire) and neutral side(white wire).

DO NOT UNTWIST THE WIRES THEMSELVES.

Step 5

Measure the AC voltage using a multimeter by placing the red lead on the bare metal of the black or red wire of the source wire and the black lead on the bare metal of the white wire.
This should measure 0 volts.
Make sure that these two measured wires are not touching anything else at the bare portion.

Measure the AC voltage using a multimeter by placing the red lead on the bare metal of the black or red wire of the source wire and the black lead on the bare metal of the white wire.

This should measure 0 volts.

Make sure that these two measured wires are not touching anything else at the bare portion.

Step 6

Repeat step 5 after turning the light switch for the light to the on position.
Be careful to only touch the wires with the multimeter leads ONLY as there should now be electricity at the wires.
The measured voltage should read between 110-125V. Turn the light switch off immediately after performing this step.
If the measured voltage is not within the parameters, contact a qualified electrician for further service, otherwise, move on to step 7.

Repeat step 5 after turning the light switch for the light to the on position.

Be careful to only touch the wires with the multimeter leads ONLY as there should now be electricity at the wires.

The measured voltage should read between 110-125V. Turn the light switch off immediately after performing this step.

If the measured voltage is not within the parameters, contact a qualified electrician for further service, otherwise, move on to step 7.

Step 7

Take a picture of the entire fixture in order to verify wiring later.

Take a picture of the entire fixture in order to verify wiring later.

Step 8

Verify there is no voltage in the fixture Using a non-contact voltage detector according to the detector’s instructions

Verify there is no voltage in the fixture Using a non-contact voltage detector according to the detector’s instructions

Step 9

Take a picture of the data plate of the ballast. the ballast is a rectangular box in the center line of the fixture.
This allows you to verify the proper replacement is found.

Take a picture of the data plate of the ballast. the ballast is a rectangular box in the center line of the fixture.

This allows you to verify the proper replacement is found.

Step 10

Disconnect all wires coming from the ballast and remove the ballast from the fixture using a screwdriver.
It is okay to cut the wires close to the ballast. These can be used later.

Disconnect all wires coming from the ballast and remove the ballast from the fixture using a screwdriver.

It is okay to cut the wires close to the ballast. These can be used later.

Step 11

Install a new ballast by reversing the process of step 10.
Reconnect all wires according to the picture taken in step 7.
There will also be a wiring diagram in the ballast packaging or on the ballast itself.
Ensure that you strip all wire ends using wire strippers and use ANSI approved wire nut at all wire connections

Install a new ballast by reversing the process of step 10.

Reconnect all wires according to the picture taken in step 7.

There will also be a wiring diagram in the ballast packaging or on the ballast itself.

Ensure that you strip all wire ends using wire strippers and use ANSI approved wire nut at all wire connections

Put the fixture back together by reversing the steps 1-3. Test the light to make sure it works. If it still does not function, contact a qualified electrician.

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                    Forrest Jones

Member since: 02/18/2021

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                       University of Memphis, Team S5-G12, Willis Spring 2021                        

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Nayagi Industrial Technologies - Oct 12, 2022

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