How To Replace A Light Ballast? 2023 Complete Guide

When your light ballast is not working perfectly as expected or has completely stopped working, the first option will be to replace it. But how do you do so? In this guide, you will get clear instructions on how to replace light ballast.

What is a ballast?

First things first, let’s define what a light ballast is. A ballast is a device that is used to control the amount of voltage that is applied to a lamp. This is done to ensure that the lamp stays at the right brightness.

Light ballasts are usually made up of four parts:

A capacitor (also known as an electric condenser)

An inductor (also known as an electromagnet) A transformer (which has 2 main pieces) And, an ignitor (this part produces a high voltage)

How do light ballasts work?

Light ballasts work in what’s called a step-up transformer system. This system works by first taking electricity from your home, and then stepping up the voltage level.

The electricity then goes into the capacitor and then the inductor. Here, the electricity charges up the inductor and capacitor.

The high voltage then travels to the ignitor, which is connected to the transformer. The ignitor then transfers electricity from the capacitor and inductor to your light bulb.

Light ballasts are designed to operate at lower currents and at varying voltages. This is why they are used in light bulbs and not other electrical devices.

How do you know if a light ballast needs replacing?

Several signs will tell you it is time to replace your light ballast. let’s look at some of them:

Dimming of the lights

This is the most common sign that your light ballast is going out. Several things can cause this. If the light ballasts are near a heat source, it could be caused by a higher temperature. If the light ballasts are near something with a magnetic field, it could be interference from that field.

If you have dimming lights and they are not near any of these factors then there is a chance that your light ballast is starting to go bad.

Flickering

This is another sign that you need to replace your light ballast. This usually happens when there is a short in the electrical system or if there is too much resistance in the wires carrying electricity to and from the lights or if there’s an issue with the circuit breaker. If there is an issue with the circuit breaker, it’s usually best to call an electrician to look at it.

Lights that burn out faster than they used to

This means that the light ballasts are not working as well as they used to and need replacing.

This is a big sign that your light ballast needs replacing, especially if it is just one of them. It could be because of one of these reasons: The voltage going into your home has changed and you need a new light ballast or the temperature near the light ballasts has gone up and they are not able to handle it anymore. Either way, if one or two lights go out and then come back on, then it is probably not the light ballast.

Bulbs burning out faster than they used to

This is another sign that the light ballasts are failing and need replacing. But it won’t hurt to check out other factors that are causing your bulbs to burn faster than expected.

No lights at all

If you have no lights on at all and the electrical wiring is working properly, then it is likely that one of your light ballasts has failed.

If you notice any of these symptoms, then it is a good idea to call an electrician to come out and look at your ballasts. The sooner you get them replaced, the better.

Swollen casing

If your light ballast is starting to swell, then it might be time to get a new one. Light ballasts can swell for a number of reasons. If the voltage going into your home has changed, then it could be that the light ballast was not designed for that voltage and needs replacing. It could also be from the heat that is being generated by the light ballasts. There are many reasons why a light ballast may have swollen, but if you notice this symptom, then you should replace them immediately.

Buzzing

If you hear a buzzing noise coming from your light ballasts, then it is time to get them replaced. The buzzing noise will be caused by the ballast trying to generate light, but being unable to do so. This is a clear sign that the ballast is on its way out and needs replacing.

Steps for replacing light ballast

Here are the steps that you should follow when replacing light ballast.

Step 1: Remove the old light ballast

If you have decided to replace your light ballasts, then you will need to remove the old one first. The first thing that you should do is switch off the electricity supply to the light. You can do this by switching off the circuit breaker that is connected to your home. Once you have switched off the power supply, open up the light fixture and remove any wires or cables that may be connected to it.

Step 2: Remove the cover

Once you have removed all of the wires and cables, lift off the cover of your light fixture. Most covers are screwed on and can be unscrewed with a screwdriver. When removing these covers, take care not to drop them as they could damage the light bulb.

Step 3: Remove the old ballast

Once you have removed the cover, you can then remove the ballast by unscrewing it. The ballast is usually screwed into a bracket that is attached to the inside of the fixture. If you find that your ballast is damaged or broken, then don’t try to remove it as this could cause an electrical shock. Instead, call an electrician to remove and replace it for you.

Step 4: Install the new ballast

Once you have removed your old light ballast, all that is left to do is install your new one in its place. Simply follow these steps to install a new light ballast in your home:

Check that all of the wires are connected to the right terminals on the ballast.
Attach the wires to the ballast according to their color.
Screw your new ballast into place using a screwdriver.
Replace your cover and turn on your light fixture.

What to look for when buying a light ballast

When buying a light ballast, there are several things that you should be aware of. First, you should make sure that the ballast is compatible with your fixture. If you buy the wrong one, then it could damage your fixture and void your warranty.

Second, you should also check to see if your current ballast is rated for your current light bulb. If it isn’t, then the ballast will overheat and eventually burn out on its own. This will cause an electrical fire in your home and could even result in injury or death.

Finally, when looking at a new light bulb, make sure that it is compatible with the ballast that you plan on using. This is especially important if you are planning on replacing your ballast with a halogen bulb. The light bulb will not be able to produce the same amount of light that it did before if it is not compatible with the ballast.

Do I need an electrician to replace my light ballast?

If you are replacing your light ballast with a halogen bulb, then yes. Halogen bulbs require a much higher voltage and wattage than regular incandescent bulbs. To put it simply, if you were to use an incandescent bulb with a regular halogen ballast, the ballast would melt before the bulb did.

However, if you have an older fixture that uses fluorescent tubes, there are many options out there for you to upgrade it.

How do I know what size light bulb I should buy?

While this is a very common question, no one size is right for everyone. It depends on how bright you want your light to be and how long the bulb will be in use.

Some people like the brightness of incandescent bulbs while others prefer the soft glow of an LED bulb or CFL bulb. Others still prefer the color temperature of an HID bulb.

When it comes to the color temperature of your light, you should consult lighting professionals for advice. There are many different color temperatures that you can choose from, but the general rule of thumb is that the warmer the bulb, the whiter it will appear.

For example, a warm white bulb will give off a yellowish or orange glow while a cool white (or daylight) bulb will give off an orangish-red glow.

Conclusion

I hope that you have gained valuable lessons about light ballasts and how to replace them. These are the basics that you need to know in order to replace a light ballast and have your fluorescent lights come back on.

In case you would like to buy light ballast, consider contacting ICRFQ. We are a reputable light ballast supplier and sourcing agent in China. You can contact us for more information on light ballast.