Q&A for How to Replace the Ballast in a Fluorescent Lighting Fixture

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The old ballast has three wires, red, black, and white. The new ballast has 5 wires, red, black, white, and two blue. How do I wire in the new ballast?

Community Answer

Most likely that is a different generation of ballast. Cap the two blue wires and install the red, black, and white as usual. It should work fine.

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Question

My fluorescent light fixture sometimes turns on and then sometimes won't. How do I fix that?

Community Answer

If it has a starter (a small aluminum-looking cylinder that screws in below the bulb), replace that. If not, replace the ballast.

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Question

If only one light works in a fixture, is the ballast bad?

Community Answer

Probably not. If the fixture is a 2 tube fixture, it is probably a single bad tube. If both the tubes are old, you might consider replacing both of them with newer, slightly lower wattage ones to save electricity. For example, if they are 40 watt, try some 32 watt tubes..

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Question

Can an F54 ballast work for F34 bulbs?

Community Answer

Yes, but not the other way around. (A 34-watt ballast will not power a 54-watt lamp.)

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Question

Is it safe to insert wires into either end of a ballast?

Community Answer

If you are referring to "quick connect" terminal blocks on each end of a ballast, the answer is yes. Make sure you follow the color pattern on the ballast (i.e. black to black white to white, etc.).

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How do I change a magnetic ballast to a electronic ballast?

Community Answer

Just follow the wiring diagram on the electronic ballast. Depending on the number of lamps in the fixture, you may have to tie some together.

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