I need help diagnosing the problem with a fluorescent light fixture.?

Question

This fixture and two others installed within the last few years by the same installer have simply stopped working. The bulbs do not glow or flicker, there is no discernible hum or buzz. I have power to the switch, and have replaced the switch with no success. However, if I bridge the wires themselves with a tester, the light fixture immediately comes on, and will stay on until the switch is flipped off again.

With the light I'm referring to, at the time this problem began, we had an older UPS fail on the same circuit. Those wall outlets all still test live. What do I check next, or is the proper tool for this problem the phone book?

Answer 1

Sounds like you need new Starters.

Hmm,no Starters eh!Well if it is the ballast,which is more than 50% of the light fitting,I would go out and by new fittings.I don't know where your from,but the fittings here in Aust are fairly cheap.

Answer 2

It does sound odd. But it almost has to be the ballasts. There is so little in the circuit. Power, switch, and fixture.

If you can jump it with a tester and it comes on, and stays on, that suggests to me that the self starting in the ballast is bad. It is not detecting that it needs to start the bulb.

I am guess that using the tester as a jumper is providing some signal to the ballast to check the bulb and it then starts it.

I think those use electronics to do the bulb starting and I think those electronics are bad. Maybe you had some low voltage that damaged it when the UPS went out at the same time.

That is my best guess.

Good Luck

Answer 3

did you  check the ballast?

Answer 4

there is a fluorescent light ballast inside the fixture that has most likely failed

remove the cover inside the light fixture, locate the ballast and replace it with a same model ballast

you should be able to get one at your local home improvement store or lighting wholesaler

Answer 5

When all else fails, try something else.  Is the fixture grounded?  Have you tried new bulbs?