Do you need a special switch for fluorescent lights?

Do you need a special switch for fluorescent lights?

What About Dimming a CFL Bulb? CFL, or compact fluorescent light bulbs, are commonly found in most homes today. To use a CFL bulb on a dimmer switch, you must have a CFL bulb that’s specifically made to work with dimmers and dimmer switches.

Do fluorescent lights need a neutral wire?

Yes, it does matter. By switching the ground, hot, and neutral wires you may inadvertently produce an electrocution hazard in the metal frame of the fluorescent fixture.

Can you wire a fluorescent light to a plug?

Having the fixture wired to a plug will allow it to be moved to where the light is needed, and used anywhere there is an electrical socket. Connecting a plug to a fluorescent light fixture is straightforward, but the terminals must be connected properly to avoid hazard from electrical shock.

Are fluorescent lights wired in series?

Older magnetic fluorescent ballasts are usually rapid start and wired in series. Newer electronic ballasts are instant start (wired in parallel), rapid start (wired in series), programmed start (wired in series-parallel, dimmable and CFL ballasts.

Why do fluorescent lights need a starter?

Fluorescent starters or glow starters are used to help fluorescent tubes and lamps ignite in the initial starting stage of their operation. Simply put, fluorescent starters are a timed switch. The switch opens and closes until the fluorescent tube ‘strikes’ and lights-up.

Is a ballast the same as a starter?

The ballast initially works as a starter for the arc, supplying a high-voltage impulse and, later, it works as a limiter/regulator of the electric flow inside the circuit. Electronic ballasts also run much cooler and are lighter than their magnetic counterparts.

Will a ballast work if not grounded?

The fixture or ballast does not have to be grounded through an equipment ground to operate. Yes, the ballast case has to be electrically connected to the sheet metal behind the lamps for them to ignite.

What are the yellow wires on a ballast for?

The common yellow wires connect from the ballast to push-in connectors on one of the right holders of lamp 1 or 2. Two yellow wires connect the common lampholders together.

Can a fluorescent lamp work without 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.

Do Fluorescent lights need to be earthed?

As the fluorescent light you have is a Class 1 metal cased type it must be earthed, leaving it unearthed presents an electric shock and possible fire risk.

What is the common power source of a fluorescent fixture?

Fluorescents are a large family of light sources. There are three main types of fluorescent lamps: cold cathode, hot cathode, and electroluminescent. They all use phosphors excited by electrons to create light….

Will a fluorescent light work without a ballast?

In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw.