Replace the whole fixture. Replace the ballast, then replace the metal cover. Step 2. You should never work on any wiring or internal … Use the screwdriver and remove the protective cover that conceals the ballast. Remove the fluorescent light bulbs from the end light holding fixtures also called the tombstones. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document. Locate the wiring cover plate, usually in the center of the fixture. If the fixture has a cord and plug, simply unplug it to disconnect from power. It may be attached with nuts or clips or simply snapped into place. If you have circline fluorescent light bulbs in your kitchen, the cover will likely be a spring-loaded ceiling light fixture. Untwist the wire connectors holding the wires from the ballast to the black, white and bare copper wires from the house wiring. Remove the magnetic ballast With one hand supporting the cover, use your other hand to pinch and loosen the clips until the cover is completely free. 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). Clean the floor area under the light fixture whose cover you want to remove. Remove the ballast cover from the fluorescent fixture. Whatever you do, don't drop them. 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. Squeeze the sides of the cover inward to slip the tabs out of the slots, and pull the cover down. 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. This will expose the ballast and its wiring. Flip the light switch to turn off power to the fixture. 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. They are also much less prone to problems. 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. Remove the light bulbs (fluorescent tubes). Test the light afterwards to make sure it doesn’t turn back on. Remove the fluorescent tube bulbs from the fixture. Remove the ballast from 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. Don't rely on the light switch to cut off power to the area.Set up a stepladder below the light. In the light fixture, you will see a metal cover protruding into the light area. 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. I want to replace the whole light fixture. If these ballasts are leaking, they should be regarded as hazardous waste and treated very carefully. Locate the ballast cover on one end of the fixture, unscrew it and remove it. Be sure to find a replacement ballast with the same wiring configuration and voltage rating as the original. 1. Join Ace Rewards for exclusive offers and savings. 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 fluorescent tube(s) and carefully set aside. Pull out on the lip to disengage from the side of the attachment. Photo 3: Unscrew the old ballast. Put your fluorescent tubes in and replace the cover. Before touching any wires or wire connections, confirm that the power is off by testing each wire with a non-contact voltage tester. Be careful when handling fluorescent light bulbs as they contain some amount of mercury, which can be harmful to children and pets. A hot wire carries the power to the fixture. Remove the fluorescent ballast compartment cover to expose the internal wiring and ballast. Photo 4: Install the new ballast. Some fixtures have a clear plastic lens that wraps around the outside of the fixture. Reinstall the wiring cover plate, the light bulbs, and the fixture lens. 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. Squeeze the sides of the cover inward to slip the tabs out of the slots, and pull the cover down. These are the power source wires. As you push up on one short end, angle that end of the cover up into the light fixture a little bit. Fixtures with four tubes, similarly, have four starters and four ballasts. Locate The Ballast On The fluorescent Light Fixture Now, locate the ballast on the existing fluorescent fixture. 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. Turn off the breaker to the light fixture, and confirm that the power to that light fixture is off. If you are troubleshooting a 4-tube fluorescent fixture, this is easy! Connect the ballast wires to the fixture wires to match the original wiring, using wire connectors. The cover is in the middle of the fixture, and there are wires coming out of the endcaps going to the lightbulbs. Replace the ballast, then replace the metal cover. Remove it by pushing the sides of the metal cover together or unscrewing the screws, whichever is required on your fixture. Carefully position a step ladder under the fixture. Uncover the ballast compartment to reveal the ballast and the internal wiring. Look for the black wire and white wires connected to the ballast. This can’t be stressed enough! Remove the case, lamp, and any cover that prevents you from reaching the ballast. Choose an electronic ballast, if available. Hold the upper lip of an acrylic cap on one side of the accessory with your fingers. Use the wire cutters to cut the wires connected to the sockets. Older fluorescent light ballasts (those manufactured before 1979) likely contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), classified by the EPA as an environmental toxin. It is typically covered in … The bottom of the dome may also have a nut that loosens to release the cover. Unscrew the ballast and remove it. Just remove one of the still-working pair of fluorescent tubes and replace it with each of the questionable tubes, one at a time. Restore power by switching on the circuit breaker and test the fixture for proper operation. 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. How to Remove Fluorescent Light Cover Step 1. Of course, you can always replace your entire fluorescent fixture with an … Repeat the process for the remaining tubes. I am replacing an old fluorescent ballast with a energy saving electronic ballast. Turn off the breaker supplying power to the fluorescent light fixture. 10 July 2020. 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. This is the ballast cover. Find two clips between the fixture and the ceiling, if your fixture is flush to the ceiling. 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