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How do I know if I have a T8 or T12 ballast?
If no markings are available, the size in diameter of the tube is the easiest way to determine the type you have installed. T8 tubes are 1-inch in diameter and T12 tubes are 1 1/2 -inch.
What type of ballast is used for fluorescent lights?
There are two lamp families that work with a ballast: fluorescent and HID. And there are two types of ballasts in each family: magnetic and electronic. Magnetic ballasts are the older ballast technology. For the fluorescent family, both T12 linear fluorescents and two-pin CFLs use magnetic ballasts.
Are fluorescent ballasts universal?
Universal offers the latest innovations for a full line of line of linear fluorescent ballasts to meet your needs.
Is it hard to change a ballast?
The ballast takes in electricity and then regulates current to the bulbs. A typical ballast will generally last about 20 years, but cold environments and bad bulbs can decrease this lifespan significantly. You can get a new ballast at a hardware store or home center and install it in about 10 minutes.
What happens if you put a T8 bulb in a T12 fixture?
If you place T12 tubes in a fixture with a T8 ballast, you will wear out the ballast and have to replace it. If you place T8 tubes in a fixture with a T12 ballast, then the tubes will have a shorter life due to a higher current through the tube.
How do I bypass the ballast on a fluorescent light fixture?
How to Bypass a Ballast
- Turn off the power. Flipping the light switch to the “off” position does not necessarily end the flow of electricity.
- Locate your ballast.
- Cut the hot and neutral wires.
- Cut the socket lead wires.
- Remove the ballast.
- Connect the input wires to the output wires.
Are ballasts universal?
They are sometimes referred to by manufacturers and distributors as universal ballasts, universal voltage ballasts, generic ballasts, or flexible ballasts, although none of these terms is an industry standard.
Are ballasts interchangeable?
When considering a ballast for your lamp, make sure they have corresponding ANSI (American National Standards Institute) codes. Matching ANSI codes guarantees that the ballast you chose can be used with your lamp. However, ballasts are often compatible with more than one lamp, and vice versa.