Do you have fluorescent lights that flicker or buzz? It may be an indication that the ballast needs to be replaced. This is a fairly easy job to handle; however, you may want to consider contacting your residential electrician in Montgomery County for assistance. Read on to learn more about how a pro would replace a light ballast.
How to Replacement a Light Ballast
First, the tech would need to gather the necessary tools, including a socket wrench, wire nuts, wire cutter, and voltage tester. Then take the following steps:
- Make sure to turn off power to the light at the circuit breaker.
- Take the cover off the fixture.
- Remove the light tubes.
- Take off the cover plate. The wiring cover plate in the middle of fixture needs to be removed in order to to expose the wires. Locate the tabs that hold the cover in place and squeeze in the sides of the cover to release the tabs from the slots. Then the tech can pull down in order to remove the cover.
- Before touching the wires, make sure that there is no power flowing to the fixture with the voltage tester.
- Disconnect each ballast wire by removing the connectors or cutting the wires as close to the ballast as possible.
- Support ballast with a hand to keep it from falling and use a socket wrench in order to remove the mounting hardware. It’s then possible to take the ballast out of the fixture.
- Remove damaged portions of the wires and strip them using wire strippers. Prepare the wires for the new ballast.
- Install the new light ballast in the fixture using mounting hardware and a socket wrench. It’s then possible to connect the ballast wires to the fixture with wire nuts.
- Reinstall the light fixture. Make sure to put on the cover place, bulbs, and fixture lens.
Residential Electrician Montgomery County
With Tim Kyle Electric, no job is too small. We give 100% to every light bulb change, just as we do to a remodeling or rewiring project. We use only high-quality, contractor-grade materials. Looking for a residential electrician in Montgomery County? Contact us today.