There’s no denying that there’s a lot to love about fluorescent lights. They’re energy efficient and they last a long time, plus they pack a big visual punch.
However, fluorescent bulbs can also be very tricky. That’s why we’ve compiled this list on how to troubleshoot fluorescent lights when they no longer seem to be cooperating.
Important! Remember you should always use your circuit breaker to cut the power to the area that you’re working on whenever you begin to tackle any kind of electrical project. It is not safe to work on fluorescent lights while they are live, even if they are currently turned off.
Problem: The fluorescent light won’t stop blinking.
Solution: Rotate the tube. This will clean the terminals.
If this does not work the problem could also be loose wires inside of your fluorescent light. Check for those and reconnect any that you see.
Problem: The lights let off an annoying “humming” sound.
Solution: This usually means the ballast is short-circuiting. Go ahead and replace this part.
While you’re making the replacement be sure to tighten any loose screws you find. Loose parts can also cause the fluorescent light to make unpleasant noises.
Problem: The fluorescent light flickers. This can be especially annoying because it can give you headaches!
Solution: Your tube is getting too cold and your ballast isn’t fully equipped to handle the problem. Replace the old ballast with one that is rated for lower temperatures.
Problem: You see black spots on the edges of your light.
Solution: You’ll need to replace the tube. The old one is wearing out.
If none of these solutions fix the problem you may have a deeper issue. Be safe, not sorry – call an electrician and get an expert to look at the problem.
If you live in Durham, Raleigh, or Chapel Hill call us! We’ve been serving the Triangle area for over 20 years and we’ll be happy to get your fluorescent lights back on track! Remember, we’re open 24/7 so call us any time.