i need to remove the entire fixture,are the balisters still dangerous?if so how can i remove the fixture safely?
2007-03-05 04:42:30 · 9 answers · asked by mrsc1993 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
i HAVE turned off the circuitbraker,i just need to know whether or not a balast can shock you also,if it can then how do i safely remove the fixture?
2007-03-05 05:01:27 · update #1
The standard ballast is a coil that has no storage capacity, being just a form of transformer. If it is an electronic ballast then it has components that could include a small capacitor. You will not be near the innards of the electronic ballast and the charge it holds dissipates quickly.
As long as you turned off the power (and are sure that you turned off the right circuit) then there is no problem.
2007-03-05 05:13:45 · answer #1 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The ballast itself will not harm you, as long as it isnt hot...and I mean hot as in temperature... Ive seen some ballast that got hot enough to burn if you touched them.
Now... I was going to say that as along as the power ran from the switch, rather than to the light fixture first, you would be fine, electrically, but I see, when I pop on this page, that you have turned the circuit breaker itself off... so, there should be no problem there.
The ballast itself does not 'store' electricity, like a battery, or capacitor... rather, it 'regulates' the electricity flowing thru it.
With the circuit breaker turned off, you are all set to take this fixture down. Typically, you do not have to remove the ballast from the fixture to take the whole thing down... just look for the screws that are holding the fixture to the ceiling.
Have Fun
2007-03-05 05:18:41 · answer #2 · answered by thewrangler_sw 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just to be on the safe side, make sure the circuit breaker is tripped open and wait about 10-15 minutes before doing anything. Some quick-start flourescent fixtures have capacitors that store energy that can shock you. Leaving the Breaker tripped for a while will allow the stored energy to dissipate. But, definitely make sure the power to the circuit is OFF before messing with the wires.
2007-03-05 04:52:43 · answer #3 · answered by jetrx_1011 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have completely shut off the power, preferrably at the breaker or fuse, there's nothing stored in the ballast that would hold a charge. If you aren't replacing the fixture, secure the ends of the house wiring with their own wire nuts and tuck them carefully back in the box. There should a plain cover plate you can get to cover that at Home Depot or other electrical/hardware type supplier..
2007-03-05 04:48:01 · answer #4 · answered by KirksWorld 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as the circuit breaker is turned off, or you have the fuse taken out, no problem.
If you wanna be ultra safe, you can by a line tester, fairly cheap at any home improvement store. You touch both wires to both leads from the tester and if it lights up, not safe to work. If it dont, its safe.
2007-03-05 04:50:57 · answer #5 · answered by jeff the drunk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, if the light switch on the wall is turned off, then you are safe, but everybody turns off the circuit breaker or removes the fuse that the light operates on WHENEVER they are working on electriicity. You should try to familiarize yourself with the circuit breakers anyways.
2007-03-05 04:57:30 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the power from the fuse/breaker panel is off you should be fine.But the only true way to be sure is to test it with a voltage tester or meter.Small cost for safety.You never know when something is wired incorrectly.Good luck.
2007-03-05 09:01:37 · answer #7 · answered by mr. mr. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Breaker off good to go
2007-03-05 08:08:01 · answer #8 · answered by ferengifighter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No your safe, just wire it correctly. if your still doubting and scared shut the main down.
2007-03-05 04:48:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋