Why does my flourescent light over the kitchen sink buzz ... I've changed the bulb position.?

Question

I've even put in a new bulb. It just does it during different times of the day!

Answer 1

The problem is with a part of your light fixture called the ballast. A Mom-and-Pop hardware store can sell you a new one. At the larger chain stores, they will sell you a whole new light fixture instead.

To get the right ballast at the store, you'll want to bring in your old one. This is not too difficult for a moderately handy homeowner. Just follow these steps:

1. Turn the light on, then turn off the circuit breaker and verify the light is off. Then turn the light switch off. Yes, it is appropriate to cut power by both means. If there are other people home who might turn things back on, plug in (and turn on!) a lamp on this same circuit so you'll know right away (see step #5). You will be working on the fixture without that circuit's lights, so this is best performed during the bright daytime.

2. Remove the diffuser. That's the outer cover you removed when changing the flourescent bulb.

3. [Optional] Remove the bulbs if they are not held in securely, or if it makes accessing the ballast more convenient.

4. Look for a covered part of the fixture from which wires emerge to power the bulb receptacles. You may have to slide a white metal cover or remove a small screw.

5. Make extra sure the power is still cut off to this fixture.

6. The ballast is the box inside with obvious wires coming in from the home's electrical wiring. If you have a digital camera, this is a good time to take a picture so you'll have a reminder about which colored house wires connect to which colored ballast wires. No camera? No problem - just write it down on paper.

7. To remove the ballast, you'll probably have to unscrew a couple wire nuts. These are the cone-shaped plastic covers securing the house wiring to the ballast wires. They are easily removed by hand - be sure to save them for the re-installation. Depending upon the model, you may also need to loosen one screw to remove the grounding wire.

8. To install the new ballast, perform step #1 again (safety first!) and then just reverse the whole process. When reconnecting the wires, align their tips side-by-side pointing the same direction. Then twist them together with pliers and firmly twist on a wire nut (one of those cone-shaped plastic things you unscrewed in step #7). Whether by wire nut or by screw, it is safest to connect the grounding wire first.

If any of this gets too complex or scary, a handyman or handy neighbor can take care of it. This procedure does not require a professional electrician.

Good luck!

Answer 2

The ballast is buzzing. That's the thing that looks like a transformer when you take the cover off of it. Try screwing the screws down tight that hold the ballast in. Some ballasts just clip in and are not held by screws. In that case you might as well get a new fixture.

Answer 3

Most likely the ballast. You can change the ballast but, it is usually cheaper to buy a new fixture. Both of course need to be wired in.

Answer 4

you have to replace the ballast, if you take out the bulb and remove the cover you will see a box with wires coming out of it, take it out to the hardware store and get the same one and replace it. remember to turn of the power to it when doing this.

Answer 5

If it's an older light it might have an outside ballast an alumimum looking clyilinder,try replacing that

Answer 6

I got a Jack Russel and that is so true he does bounce of the walls and if he had to put a light bulb in, in would do it while bouncing off the walls.

Answer 7

Look around the light unit. You may see a small dial. Turn it until you have 'tuned' in you light. I know it sounds daft. Try it.

Answer 8

Some of these are like that, usually they're cheap enough to toss out and just buy a new one.

Answer 9

it is cheaper to buy a whole new unit than a ballast as that what would hum.

Answer 10

replace the ballast