2006-08-21 16:37:30 · 12 answers · asked by hyrosenfeld 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There are usually two ballasts in a four light florescent fixture. One ballast for two lamps. They are in series and if one goes out then the other is either dim or out also. Check the end of the tube. If it is extremely black then the ballast needs to be replaced too. If it is only mildly discolored at the ends then the ballast should be ok but you need two new lamps. Never replace just the one lamp that is out because the other was put in at the same time and it is at the end of its life too. However, to keep the fixture looking uniform, you need to replace all four lamps. These lamps last for thousands of hours but what they don't tell you is that while they burn for years, they are slowly getting dimmer and dimmer. You will notice the difference if you only replace two. You will have two bright ones and two yellow dim ones. It doesn't look good and besides, you want the maximum light anyway. The other two that are still burning are at the end of their life too so why not replace them all and have the best lighting.
2006-08-21 16:54:13 · answer #1 · answered by Jerry Dee 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
All fluorescent light fixtures have ballasts; the ballast is necessary in order for the lamps to work. The ballast is normally hidden under some kind of metal shielding plate in the fixture. Be sure to disconnect the power before investigating. And, it is often cheaper (and probably easier) to replace an entire fixture rather than replacing a ballast. And, with the new requirements for T-8 tubes, it is getting hard to find a replacement ballast for the older T-12 tubes. Be sure to use the same type of fluorescent tubes that is printed on the ballast!
2013-09-29 12:34:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a rule it's a good idea to replace all the bulbs at once. If you want to save energy replace your bulbs with T-8 bulbs. They use less energy than T-12 bulbs and put out the same amount of light. If you have to change out your ballast then get electronic ballasts instead of magnetic. Electronic ballasts are more efficient and you have less "heat gain" making your HVAC system run less.
2006-08-22 06:55:44 · answer #3 · answered by opie with an attitude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not that both bulbs have gone bad.one bulb gone bad effects the other bulb parreled with it.the two are considered one circuit since the electricity has to run through both bulbs thus the shut down of two bulbs once one goes bad.
2006-08-28 13:22:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Floresent bulbs like constant level of power when one starts to fail it shocks the other bulb.
One may still work as Peter did say you do need bolth bulbs.
2006-08-21 23:44:43 · answer #5 · answered by DaFinger 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
They don't. They are in series and if one burns out it cuts current to the other.
2006-08-29 00:44:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call an electrician1
2006-08-28 16:09:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
jerry dee gave you the right info and best ansewr
2006-08-28 23:19:46 · answer #8 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its the one you stick in your mouth and the other in arm pit
2006-08-29 00:53:37 · answer #9 · answered by ate up 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they don't. One goes bad, and breaks the circuit.
2006-08-21 23:42:36 · answer #10 · answered by Peter G 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋