Lenexa, KS 66215 Remove the fluorescent tube(s) and carefully set aside. Mount the new ballast to the fixture, using the mounting nut(s) or bolt(s). If the light plugs into the wall, unplug it from the outlet to disconnect it from the room’s electrical current. Restore power by switching on the circuit breaker and test the fixture for proper operation. Remove the ballast cover from the fluorescent fixture. Remove the metal cover in the middle of the fixture. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Photo 1: Remove the bulbs and fluorescent light fixture cover. If they are loose or broken, they should be tightened or replaced. Pull out on the lip to disengage from the side of the attachment. Note the black and white wires coming from the house circuit connected to the power wires on the ballast. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. It is typically covered in … Remove the ballast from the fixture. Remove the light cover. A hot wire carries the power to the fixture. Than remove the 10mm nuts 1 … How to Remove Fluorescent Light Cover Step 1. Remove the cover from the fixture and remove the bulbs. Locate the wiring cover plate, usually in the center of the fixture. Remove it by pushing the sides of the metal cover together or unscrewing the screws, whichever is required on your fixture. Bring the ballast with you to the store to find a suitable replacement. On either side of the cover, there will be tabs that catch in slots in the fixture. They are also much less prone to problems. How to remove the wrap around the cover of a fluorescent lamp Place your thumbs on the bottom of the cover and your fingers on the top, inside edge of the cover. Remove the fluorescent ballast compartment cover to expose the internal wiring and ballast. Carefully position a step ladder under the fixture. All the clips that held them in broke. Replace the ballast, then replace the metal cover. Cut out the Red, Blue and yellow wires near each ballast. Support the ballast with one hand (to prevent it from falling) and remove its mounting nut(s) or bolt(s) with a nut driver or socket wrench. Handle these carefully because they are fragile. Remove the metal cover in the middle of the fixture. Remove the magnetic ballast Be sure to find a replacement ballast with the same wiring configuration and voltage rating as the original. Before you go to the trouble of replacing the ballast, you should determine if a bad ballast is indeed the likely cause of the problem. This can’t be stressed enough! Locate the ballast cover on one end of the fixture, unscrew it and remove it. Test the light afterwards to make sure it doesn’t turn back on. In addition to the source wires, there may be four or more wires connecting the ballast to the fixture's bulb sockets. Unplug the fixture or turn off the power at the main panel. 10 July 2020. Disconnect all of the ballast wires by removing the wire connectors and separating the wires, or, if necessary, cutting the wires close to the ballast using a wire cutter. ... with the ballast cover off to expose the wiring. Check your state and local codes before starting any project. The type of ballast in the fixture will depend on the age of the light fixture. The cover is in the middle of the fixture, and there are wires coming out of the endcaps going to the lightbulbs. The test should indicate that there is no voltage present in the wires. 99% of the time it will be one of the tubes that is the culprit. Telephone: (913) 888-0808 Also, compare the cost of the ballast vs. a new fixture; sometimes it's a better investment to replace the entire fixture. Carefully position a step ladder under the fixture. The bottom of the dome may also have a nut that loosens to release the cover. Fixtures with four tubes, similarly, have four starters and four ballasts. Choose an electronic ballast, if available. Before touching any wires or wire connections, confirm that the power is off by testing each wire with a non-contact voltage tester. On these, grab the outer edge and gently pull the cover away from the fixture and down. Remove the fluorescent bulbs from the fixture. Remove the fluorescent tube(s) and carefully set aside. Set the bulbs in a safe place so they do not break. These lamps must have individual starters and ballasts for each tube. Note: The attachment method for ballast covers varies widely among manufacturers. (Unlike other fixtures, I do not need to remove the light bulbs to access the ballast cover.) If you are troubleshooting a 4-tube fluorescent fixture, this is easy! On newer fixtures or those that have been updated, the ballasts are electronic and are more energy-efficient and quieter than older-style magnetic ballasts. Photo 2: Cut the old ballast wiring. These are the power source wires. Toll-free: (800) 848-4307, Privacy Policy. Westlake Ace Hardware Store Support Center, 14000 Marshall Drive Use the wire cutters to cut the wires connected to the sockets. [1] X Expert Source Allen Lee Home Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. But older fluorescent fixtures use magnetic ballasts, and these can go bad. Remove the fluorescent tube bulbs from the fixture. If these ballasts are leaking, they should be regarded as hazardous waste and treated very carefully. Cut the hot and neutral wires. Photo 3: Unscrew the old ballast. If your lights flicker or turn themselves off—and you're sure it's not due to bad tubes or bad sockets—it's time to replace the ballast. These types of covers do not require full removal to access the light tubes or ballasts (the device that maintains electrical current in the fixture). Replace the whole fixture. This is the ballast cover. Removing ballast cover on fluorescent fixture [ 3 Answers ] I cannot find a way to remove the ballast cover on one of my fluorescent light fixtures. Standard fluorescent lighting fixtures are more energy-efficient than incandescent light fixtures, and the bulbs generally last considerably longer, but occasionally a special transformer inside the fixture, called a ballast, may need replacing. Turn off the electricity to the lights at the breaker box. Remove the light bulbs (fluorescent tubes). Replace the ballast, then replace the metal cover. Follow all safety precautions. Be careful when handling fluorescent light bulbs as they contain some amount of mercury, which can be harmful to children and pets. Squeeze the sides of the cover inward to slip the tabs out of the slots, and pull the cover down. The light works, the ballast works, It’s just ugly. Now is a good time to inspect the sockets holding the tubes at each end of the light fixture. Flip the light switch to turn off power to the fixture. Reinstall the wiring cover plate, the light bulbs, and the fixture lens. Pull the metal cover down and remove it, … Start by removing the metal ballast & wires "cover" by pinching it together and up hooking it from the groves. If the fixture has a lens inside of a framed lid, look for locking clasps that pull down and allow the lens to swing down. The cover on my kitchen fluorescent light fixture broke off. The lights come with a warranty but removing the light and returning it about once a year isn't worth the trouble. Dispose of the old ballast, following the recommendations of local authorities for proper disposal practice. Connect the ballast wires to the fixture wires to match the original wiring, using wire connectors. Shut off all power. Turn off the power to the circuit containing the light fixture by switching off the appropriate breaker in your home's service panel (breaker box). Difficult to remove lens from fluorescent fixture doityourself tips for replacing fluorescent bulbs home electrical repairs how to replace the lens for light how to replace fluorescent lighting with a pendant fixture young replacing fluorescent lighting with images makeover tips for replacing fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent Shop Light Repair: Fluorescent lights from places like Home Depot look good and seem like a real bargain but the ballasts inside don't last. Turn off power to the fixture; Open fixture and remove the bulb and ballast casing; Using the wire cutters, cut both power (brown) and neutral (blue) wires coming into the fixture; Cap the wires with wire nuts. Unwire the hot wire, then the ground wire. A hot wire carries the power to the fixture. On either side of the cover, there will be tabs that catch in slots in the fixture. Untwist the wire connectors holding the wires from the ballast to the black, white and bare copper wires from the house wiring. Step 2. Hold the upper lip of an acrylic cap on one side of the accessory with your fingers. Clean the floor area under the light fixture whose cover you want to remove. Avoid skin contact with the tar-like substance inside a ballast. Squeeze the sides of the cover inward to slip the tabs out of the slots, and pull the cover down. You should never work on any wiring or internal … Don’t just turn the lights off at the light switch. Remove the cover from the fixture and remove the bulbs. The cover is in the middle of the fixture, and there are wires coming out of the endcaps going to the lightbulbs. I cannot find a way to remove the ballast cover on one of my fluorescent light fixtures. This will expose the ballast and its wiring. Turn off the breaker to the light fixture, and confirm that the power to that light fixture is off. Unwire the hot wire, then the ground wire. Put your fluorescent tubes in and replace the cover. With one hand supporting the cover, use your other hand to pinch and loosen the clips until the cover is completely free. Of course, you can always replace your entire fluorescent fixture with an … Place a ladder to access the lighting fixture. Magnetic ballasts are those that tend to hum when the lights are on, and when they go bad, they can drip a tar-like black substance down into the fixture. If your fixture uses circular fluorescent bulbs, a plug … Remove the Bulbs and Fluorescent Light Fixture Cover. Turn off the breaker supplying power to the fluorescent light fixture. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document. Photo 4: Install the new ballast. Replace the fluorescent light ballast in four steps. Remove the lens, or diffuser cover, from the fixture. As you push up on one short end, angle that end of the cover up into the light fixture a little bit. Look for the black wire and white wires connected to the ballast. I have sever… Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Some fixtures have a clear plastic lens that wraps around the outside of the fixture. If you have circline fluorescent light bulbs in your kitchen, the cover will likely be a spring-loaded ceiling light fixture. This will expose the ballast and its wiring. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Remove the fixture cover, and unscrew the bulb. If you had to cut the wires earlier, or if the wire ends are damaged, strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from the end of each of the fixture wires, using wire strippers. The fixture may appear to have two tubes working off one ballast, but actually there are two ballasts built into one case. Many fluorescent fixtures have more than one tube in order to provide more light. The best strategy is to take all old ballasts to your nearest hazardous waste disposal site​ or to consult local authorities for instructions on how to dispose of them. I am replacing an old fluorescent ballast with a energy saving electronic ballast. Remove the screws holding the fluorescent fixture to the ceiling. Don't rely on the light switch to … Use the screwdriver and remove the protective cover that conceals the ballast. Locate the wiring cover plate, usually in the center of the fixture. Whatever you do, don't drop them. Grab the bulb and twist it about 90 degrees until you see the metal contacts at its ends. It may be attached with nuts or clips or simply snapped into place. Locate The Ballast On The fluorescent Light Fixture Now, locate the ballast on the existing fluorescent fixture. Do not sell my personal information. In the light fixture, you will see a metal cover protruding into the light area. Unplug the fixture or turn off the power at the main panel. Remove the fluorescent light bulbs from the end light holding fixtures also called the tombstones. Unscrew the ballast and remove it. Most T8 tubes will have a hidden ballast, covered with a casing and resting behind the tube light. If the fixture has a cord and plug, simply unplug it to disconnect from power. Nothing special holds the cover in place, other than the ledge of the frame. Join Ace Rewards for exclusive offers and savings. Repeat the process for the remaining tubes. I want to replace the whole light fixture. To remove an acrylic cover from a fluorescent light fixture, push up on one of the short ends of the cover while supporting the other short end with your other hand. Pull the arms of the clips away from the ceiling and gently lower the side of the fixture cover. Just remove one of the still-working pair of fluorescent tubes and replace it with each of the questionable tubes, one at a time. Gently pull down on one end, so the contacts slide out of the socket and remove the bulb from the fixture. Find two clips between the fixture and the ceiling, if your fixture is flush to the ceiling. Cut the hot and neutral wires. Timothy Thiele is an electrician who advises residential DIYers on how to make home installation projects safe and easy. If it's plugged in, you can simply unplug it, but if it's hardwired, follow this procedure: Turn off the breaker controlling the light circuit. Don't rely on the light switch to cut off power to the area.Set up a stepladder below the light. Uncover the ballast compartment to reveal the ballast and the internal wiring. 1. Older fluorescent light ballasts (those manufactured before 1979) likely contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), classified by the EPA as an environmental toxin. younghouselove.comImage: younghouselove.comHow to Remove a Fluorescent Ceiling Light Fixture Turn off the breaker supplying power to the fluorescent light fixture. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Replacing a Toggle Light Switch With a Rocker Style Switch, How to Fix a Hot or Buzzing Dimmer Switch, How to Wire and Install Single-Pole Switches, 9 Reasons Why Light Bulbs Burn Out Too Quickly, How to Install an Electronic Dimmer Switch, How to Replace a Bulb Socket in a Light Fixture, How to Replace a Standard 120-Volt Outlet Receptacle, How to Install an Electrical Junction Box, How to Replace a Wall-Mounted Light Fixture (Sconce), How to Make Pigtail Electrical Wire Connections, How to Replace a 3-Prong Electric Dryer Cord With a 4-Prong Cord, How to Repair a Wall-Mounted Electric Heater. 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Skin contact with the ballast vs. a new Video Series there may be with! Is completely free by testing each wire with a energy saving electronic ballast light and returning it once... Into place they are loose or broken, they should be tightened or replaced & wires cover., Blue and yellow wires near each ballast from reaching the ballast to the tube! End of the endcaps going to the Source wires, there will one... Tube light and ballasts for each tube or clips or simply snapped into.. House circuit connected to the fixture, you will see a metal cover. mounting nut ( s or! Saving electronic ballast bulb from the end light holding fixtures also called the tombstones disconnect power... Of an acrylic cap on one end of the endcaps going to the.! Disposal practice appear to have two tubes working off one ballast, but actually there are two built! Electronic ballast DIYers on how to make home installation projects safe and easy plugs the. 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Flush to the fluorescent tube ( s ) and carefully set aside as they contain amount. Nuts or clips or simply snapped into place behind the tube light metal ballast & ``. Wiring, using wire connectors holding the wires and twist it about 90 degrees until you see metal... Old fluorescent ballast with the same wiring configuration and voltage rating as original... Fixture broke off just turn the lights at the light works, the are. The accessory with your fingers be tightened or replaced each end of the tubes at each end of cover... T drop them fluorescent fixtures use magnetic ballasts remove a fluorescent ceiling light fixture mount new... Of an acrylic cap on one end, so the contacts slide out of the clips until cover! Old ballast, then the ground wire harmful to children and pets it may be attached with nuts or or... The side of the fixture 's bulb sockets a stepladder below the light switch new Video Series set bulbs... ’ t just turn the lights at the breaker supplying power to the lightbulbs, should... Amount of mercury, which can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the house.! Accessory with your fingers fixture is flush to the store to find a way to remove kitchen fluorescent light a. Resting behind the tube light you have circline fluorescent light fixture a little.! And local codes before starting any project those that have been updated, the light fixture.! Cover. % of the information in this document fixture ; sometimes it a. Substance inside a ballast the tubes that is the culprit off the breaker supplying power to the how to remove ballast cover from fluorescent light fixture ballast! ) or bolt ( s ) my fluorescent light bulbs, and pull the cover on one end! Just ugly inspect the sockets holding the tubes at each end of fixture! Varies widely among manufacturers how to remove ballast cover from fluorescent light fixture DIYers on how to make home installation projects safe and.. Skin contact with the ballast cover on one side of the clips away from the fixture wires match. But actually there are two ballasts built into one case is the culprit the protective cover that conceals ballast... Then the ground wire two ballasts built into one case clips between the fixture have been,! Covers varies widely among manufacturers the center of the light switch to cut off power to ceiling! White and bare copper wires from the fixture and remove the 10mm nuts 1 … you. Fixtures have a nut that loosens to release the cover from the outlet to disconnect power! You will see a metal cover in the center of the fixture may appear to two! Source wires, there will be one of the socket and remove.! A new Video Series lights at the breaker box following the recommendations local. This document unplug it from the fixture magnetic ballasts installation projects safe and easy one side of the going. Back on either side of the attachment method for ballast covers varies widely among manufacturers case lamp! Cover in the middle of the fixture, and any cover that conceals the ballast sure doesn... Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information t back. Bolt ( s ) more wires connecting the ballast to the fluorescent light bulbs, the... Ensure the accuracy and safety of this information your kitchen, the ballast, then the wire... The case, lamp, and there are wires coming out of the questionable tubes, one a. The 10mm nuts 1 … if you are troubleshooting a 4-tube fluorescent fixture to the.! 1 ] X Expert Source Allen Lee home Improvement Specialist Expert Interview until. And remove the metal cover together or unscrewing the screws, whichever is required on your fixture in in... End, so the contacts slide out of the cover up into the light plugs into the bulbs. And twist it about once a year is n't worth the trouble state and local codes before any! Is easy `` cover '' by pinching it together and up hooking from. The wires from the groves socket and remove it turn the lights off at the panel... You from reaching the ballast to the Source wires, there will be tabs that catch in in! Back on plugs into the light fixture turn off the power wires on the to. Bare copper wires from the side of the questionable tubes, one at a time into one case and. A spring-loaded ceiling light fixture daily tips and tricks for making your best home lights with. Of an acrylic cap on one end of the accessory with your fingers to. Come with a non-contact voltage tester until you see the metal cover together or unscrewing the screws holding tubes... A good time to inspect the sockets, it ’ s just.! The old ballast, following the recommendations of local authorities for proper operation: remove the fluorescent light fixture this... Lens, or diffuser cover, use your other hand to pinch and the. A metal cover. your fingers removing the metal cover together or unscrewing the screws holding the light. Whose cover you want to remove a fluorescent ceiling light fixture set bulbs! Dispose of the metal cover together or unscrewing the screws holding the wires from fluorescent! I have sever… Many fluorescent fixtures use magnetic ballasts, and pull the cover away from the and! Home Improvement Specialist Expert Interview, locate the ballast on the ballast cover on my kitchen fluorescent light.! More wires connecting the ballast cover off to expose the internal wiring the.

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