Q&A

Why is my fluorescent bulb flickering?

Why is my fluorescent bulb flickering?

If your fluorescent bulbs flicker, most likely the problem is with the bulb itself. If the bulb is very dark on either end, it may be defective and burned out. The best way to test the functionality of a bulb is to put it into a fixture you know works. Flickering fluorescent lights can also be a result of temperature.

How do you stop fluorescent lights from flickering?

at FLUORESCENT LIGHT FIXTURE BULB / BALLAST DISPOSAL. A bad starter in the fixture – try replacing the starter. A bad ballast in the fixture. Replacing a bad magnetic ballast with an electronic ballast can remove problems of flickering fluorescent light and will lower the operating cost of the fixture.

How much does it cost to replace a ballast?

The average cost of ballast replacement is $150 for materials and labor. Materials cost an average of $27.50, and labor costs at least $100 to install a ballast replacement. Homeowners often spend $35 per ballast for programmed-start ballast installation and labor.

Does a fluorescent light need a starter?

Can a fluorescent lamp work without a starter? Some modern fluorescent lights do work without a starter because they come pre-equipped with a ballast that has extra windings. It constantly supplies a small amount of voltage to give heat to the filaments.

Can a faulty starter cause a fluorescent light to flicker?

Most modern fluorescent fixtures don’t use a starter, so if you don’t see the little cylinder and know that your light is a newer model, a faulty starter likely isn’t your problem. If the flickering in your fluorescent lights is accompanied by a low hum or buzzing noise, you could be experiencing problems with the fixture’s ballast.

How does a fluorescent starter light bulb work?

Simply put, fluorescent starters are a timed switch. The switch opens and closes until the fluorescent tube ‘strikes’ and lights-up. If the fluorescent tube does not light, the switch repeats it’s open/close cycle and the fluorescent tubes attempts to ignite again. Read on if you would like to know more about this process…

Is it normal for light bulbs to flicker?

Watch out: flickering or dimming lights at a building may be more than an inconvenience. While some causes of flickering lights may be normal and harmless, such as flickering in certain types of light bulbs, many others indicate a dangerous condition, risking fire, shock, injury or worse.

What should the flicker index be on a fluorescent lamp?

Ballasts shall operate lamps with no visible flicker (<3% flicker index). Traditional fluorescent lamps using a magnetic (old style) ballast may produce a high-frequency flickering that is sometimes barely noticeable. Fluorescents using a newer electronic ballast should will never show visible flickering unless there is another problem present.