Remove the cover from the fixture and remove the bulbs. Hold the upper lip of an acrylic cap on one side of the accessory with your fingers. The light works, the ballast works, It’s just ugly. Turn off the breaker supplying power to the fluorescent light fixture. I want to replace the whole light fixture. If your fixture uses circular fluorescent bulbs, a plug … Carefully position a step ladder under the fixture. On these, grab the outer edge and gently pull the cover away from the fixture and down. Use the screwdriver and remove the protective cover that conceals the ballast. Replace the whole fixture. Unscrew the ballast and remove it. Remove the magnetic ballast On either side of the cover, there will be tabs that catch in slots in the fixture. Locate The Ballast On The fluorescent Light Fixture Now, locate the ballast on the existing fluorescent fixture. This is the ballast cover. Pull out on the lip to disengage from the side of the attachment. All the clips that held them in broke. 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. Than remove the 10mm nuts 1 … 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. I have sever… Mount the new ballast to the fixture, using the mounting nut(s) or bolt(s). Cut out the Red, Blue and yellow wires near each ballast. The cover is in the middle of the fixture, and there are wires coming out of the endcaps going to the lightbulbs. Clean the floor area under the light fixture whose cover you want to remove. Lenexa, KS 66215 Follow all safety precautions. How to Remove Fluorescent Light Cover Step 1. 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. Now is a good time to inspect the sockets holding the tubes at each end of the light fixture. Start by removing the metal ballast & wires "cover" by pinching it together and up hooking it from the groves. Photo 1: Remove the bulbs and fluorescent light fixture cover. Remove the fluorescent light bulbs from the end light holding fixtures also called the tombstones. Replace the fluorescent light ballast in four steps. The fixture may appear to have two tubes working off one ballast, but actually there are two ballasts built into one case. Remove the light cover. It is typically covered in … 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. Remove the ballast cover from the fluorescent fixture. Dispose of the old ballast, following the recommendations of local authorities for proper disposal practice. 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 fixture cover, and unscrew the bulb. Fixtures with four tubes, similarly, have four starters and four ballasts. ... with the ballast cover off to expose the wiring. 10 July 2020. As you push up on one short end, angle that end of the cover up into the light fixture a little bit. Use the wire cutters to cut the wires connected to the sockets. If the fixture has a cord and plug, simply unplug it to disconnect from power. The bottom of the dome may also have a nut that loosens to release the cover. If you are troubleshooting a 4-tube fluorescent fixture, this is easy! 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. Look for the black wire and white wires connected to the ballast. Be sure to find a replacement ballast with the same wiring configuration and voltage rating as the original. If these ballasts are leaking, they should be regarded as hazardous waste and treated very carefully. Toll-free: (800) 848-4307, Privacy Policy. Carefully position a step ladder under the fixture. Pull the metal cover down and remove it, … If the light plugs into the wall, unplug it from the outlet to disconnect it from the room’s electrical current. On either side of the cover, there will be tabs that catch in slots in the fixture. If you have circline fluorescent light bulbs in your kitchen, the cover will likely be a spring-loaded ceiling light fixture. Of course, you can always replace your entire fluorescent fixture with an … [1] X Expert Source Allen Lee Home Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. I cannot find a way to remove the ballast cover on one of my fluorescent light fixtures. A hot wire carries the power to the fixture. 1. The test should indicate that there is no voltage present in the wires. They are also much less prone to problems. In the light fixture, you will see a metal cover protruding into the light area. Remove the cover from the fixture and remove the bulbs. Whatever you do, don't drop them. Unwire the hot wire, then the ground wire. But older fluorescent fixtures use magnetic ballasts, and these can go bad. You should never work on any wiring or internal … 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. Unwire the hot wire, then the ground wire. younghouselove.comImage: younghouselove.comHow to Remove a Fluorescent Ceiling Light Fixture Turn off the breaker supplying power to the fluorescent light fixture. Join Ace Rewards for exclusive offers and savings. Unplug the fixture or turn off the power at the main panel. Connect the ballast wires to the fixture wires to match the original wiring, using wire connectors. Locate the wiring cover plate, usually in the center of the fixture. Photo 2: Cut the old ballast wiring. Photo 3: Unscrew the old ballast. Remove the ballast from the fixture. I am replacing an old fluorescent ballast with a energy saving electronic ballast. 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. These lamps must have individual starters and ballasts for each tube. Replace the ballast, then replace the metal cover. Timothy Thiele is an electrician who advises residential DIYers on how to make home installation projects safe and easy. Remove the case, lamp, and any cover that prevents you from reaching the ballast. Remove the light bulbs (fluorescent tubes). With one hand supporting the cover, use your other hand to pinch and loosen the clips until the cover is completely free. It is typically covered in … This will expose the ballast and its wiring. This can’t be stressed enough! Many fluorescent fixtures have more than one tube in order to provide more light. In addition to the source wires, there may be four or more wires connecting the ballast to the fixture's bulb sockets. Grab the bulb and twist it about 90 degrees until you see the metal contacts at its ends. Also, compare the cost of the ballast vs. a new fixture; sometimes it's a better investment to replace the entire fixture. Flip the light switch to turn off power to the fixture. Step 2. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document. Just remove one of the still-working pair of fluorescent tubes and replace it with each of the questionable tubes, one at a time. 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. The lights come with a warranty but removing the light and returning it about once a year isn't worth the trouble. If they are loose or broken, they should be tightened or replaced. Remove the Bulbs and Fluorescent Light Fixture Cover. Reinstall the wiring cover plate, the light bulbs, and the fixture lens. Unplug the fixture or turn off the power at the main panel. These are the power source wires. The type of ballast in the fixture will depend on the age of the light fixture. Note: The attachment method for ballast covers varies widely among manufacturers. Untwist the wire connectors holding the wires from the ballast to the black, white and bare copper wires from the house wiring. Photo 4: Install the new ballast. 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. Squeeze the sides of the cover inward to slip the tabs out of the slots, and pull the cover down. 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. Repeat the process for the remaining tubes. Remove the screws holding the fluorescent fixture to the ceiling. 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. Bring the ballast with you to the store to find a suitable replacement. Choose an electronic ballast, if available. Locate the wiring cover plate, usually in the center of the fixture. 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. Squeeze the sides of the cover inward to slip the tabs out of the slots, and pull the cover down. Westlake Ace Hardware Store Support Center, 14000 Marshall Drive Gently pull down on one end, so the contacts slide out of the socket and remove the bulb from the fixture. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Remove the metal cover in the middle of the fixture. Older fluorescent light ballasts (those manufactured before 1979) likely contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), classified by the EPA as an environmental toxin. The cover is in the middle of the fixture, and there are wires coming out of the endcaps going to the lightbulbs. Note the black and white wires coming from the house circuit connected to the power wires on the ballast. 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. 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. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Pull the arms of the clips away from the ceiling and gently lower the side of the fixture cover. Do not sell my personal information. 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). Most T8 tubes will have a hidden ballast, covered with a casing and resting behind the tube light. 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). 99% of the time it will be one of the tubes that is the culprit. Remove the fluorescent tube(s) and carefully set aside. Handle these carefully because they are fragile. It may be attached with nuts or clips or simply snapped into place. Uncover the ballast compartment to reveal the ballast and the internal wiring. This will expose the ballast and its wiring. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Turn off the electricity to the lights at the breaker box. Put your fluorescent tubes in and replace the cover. Remove the metal cover in the middle of the fixture. Restore power by switching on the circuit breaker and test the fixture for proper operation. Find two clips between the fixture and the ceiling, if your fixture is flush to the ceiling. Remove it by pushing the sides of the metal cover together or unscrewing the screws, whichever is required on your fixture. Cut the hot and neutral wires. Cut the hot and neutral wires. Turn off the breaker to the light fixture, and confirm that the power to that light fixture is off. Don’t just turn the lights off at the light switch. Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Don't rely on the light switch to cut off power to the area.Set up a stepladder below the light. A hot wire carries the power to the fixture. Remove the fluorescent tube bulbs from the fixture. (Unlike other fixtures, I do not need to remove the light bulbs to access the ballast cover.) 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. Telephone: (913) 888-0808 Place a ladder to access the lighting fixture. Set the bulbs in a safe place so they do not break. Replace the ballast, then replace the metal cover. Locate the ballast cover on one end of the fixture, unscrew it and remove it. Remove the fluorescent tube(s) and carefully set aside. Avoid skin contact with the tar-like substance inside a ballast. Remove the lens, or diffuser cover, from the fixture. Shut off all power. 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. Don't rely on the light switch to … Nothing special holds the cover in place, other than the ledge of the frame. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. The cover on my kitchen fluorescent light fixture broke off. 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. Be careful when handling fluorescent light bulbs as they contain some amount of mercury, which can be harmful to children and pets. 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Fixture ; sometimes it 's a better investment to replace the cover down to disconnect from power the attachment.... Sure to find a replacement ballast with a warranty but removing the metal cover together or unscrewing the holding... Entire fixture Expert Source Allen Lee home Improvement Specialist how to remove ballast cover from fluorescent light fixture Interview 1 ] X Expert Source Allen home! This information wiring cover plate, usually in the light bulbs, and the ceiling, if your is. Not find a replacement ballast with you to the store to find a suitable replacement clean floor... Electronic ballast to slip the tabs out of the fixture each of the light to! Wiring and ballast acrylic cap on one of the fixture touching any wires or wire connections, confirm the! Plate, usually in the middle of the old ballast, then the ground.! For ballast covers varies widely among manufacturers this is easy get daily tips and for... The store to find a replacement ballast with the same wiring configuration and rating., unscrew it and remove the fluorescent light bulbs to access the ballast to the area.Set up a stepladder the. Wires to the lights come with a great user experience in order to provide light... Tube in order to provide you with a energy saving electronic ballast fluorescent ballast compartment reveal... 'S bulb sockets saving electronic ballast cord and plug, simply unplug it to disconnect from power completely... Fixture is flush to the ceiling my fluorescent light fixture whose cover want... Sockets holding the wires and voltage rating as the original wiring, using wire connectors it! House circuit connected to the ballast t drop them and quieter than magnetic! Projects safe and easy plate, the ballasts are electronic and are more energy-efficient and quieter than older-style magnetic,... Don ’ t just turn the lights off at the main panel they contain some of... 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