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Answer for USA, Canada and countries using similar 60Hz mains supplies

Now, I'm going to make some assumptions here and it will be up to you to determine if my assumptions are correct. I am assuming you have a two tube fixture that you need to connect to 120 volts. If that is the case the ballast usually has 8 wires coming from it, usually four on each end, also make sure your ballast is for the type of tubes you are using. There should be: 1 black wire 1 white wire 2 yellow wires 2 blue wires 2 red wires The black wire would get connected to the "hot" wire of your house wiring and the white wire would go to house neutral. The two yellow wires are the fixture commons and should be connected to both lamp holders on one end. In other words connect the two yellow wires to one of the lamp holders, one wire on each terminal, then add a jumper to the other lamp holder, one on each terminal. On the other end of the fixture the two blue wires would go to one of the lamp holders and the two red wires to the other. It is easier for me to do than explain

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

If you do this work yourself, always turn off the powerat the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicator to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

with two tubes connect to the ballast will the fixture consume more electric than the rating of the tubes

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10y ago
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14y ago

First make sure all power to the lighting circuit is completely switched off at the breaker panel.

Slowly and carefully insert the end-pins of the fluorescent lamp tube into the slots in the tube holder's end-plates and twist the tube gently until it locks. Or directly insert the fluorescent lamp tube's end-pins to make contact with the contact strips within the end-plates by simply hinging-open each end-plate in turn. Make sure each end-plate springs back to its normal position lying flush against the end of the tube leaving none of the tube's end-pins visible.

When you are sure the tube is safely installed, switch on the power to the lighting circuit at the breaker panel.

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

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Q: How do you install a two lamp fluorescent ballast?
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Will a bad ballast effect only one lamp in a two lamp fluorescent?

Yes, also if it is a bad lamp you will get the same condition.


Where can a circuit with two lamps with single pole switch fluorescent lamp with two 2 way and an intermediate control can be used?

This type of circuit would never be used. The two way fluorescent system would depend on the voltage being supplied by the two lamp circuit switch. If the switch turns off the two lamp circuit the rest of the circuit with the fluorescent fixture would become inoperable.


What happens to a non dimmable lamp if used on a dimmer?

If you use a non-dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) in a circuit controlled by a dimmer switch no damage will be done but the CFL will stay bright when the dimmer is turned down whilst any other normal incandescent lamps wired into the same circuit will go dim in the normal way.Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps are now available, for example in the Megaman range of CFLs. For more information see the Related Link shown below.Incandescent dimming uses any incandescent lamps and an incandescent dimmer.To dim fluorescent lamps usually requires use of fluorescent dimmers AND fluorescent dimmable ballasts. If these two components do not match, dimming will not work.The fluorescent lamps themselves are the same whether you put them in a standard (nondimming) ballast or a dimmable ballast.If your dimmers are not dimming the CFLs they are either not fluorescent dimmers or, more likely, your ballast in the light fixture is not a dimmable ballast.


On your 4 bulb fluorescent only 2 bulbs come on?

On the older fluorescent fixtures a four bulb fixture required two ballasts. Two lamps for each ballast. If you have changed the tubes and it still does not work, it sounds like one of the ballasts is not working. You might want to consider replacing the ballast with an electronic one. One electronic ballast will operate four tubes. The existing end sockets can be re used but they will have to be rewired. There is a diagram on the ballast label that shows the connections. This will allow you to use T8 lamps which are lower wattage. This will save money to you in the long run.


How do you wire 3 - 4' fluorescent light fixtures end to end to 1 ballast?

More information is needed to answer this. We need the ballast and bulb type. If this ballast is not made to do what you want then it should not be done. It can cause damage to the ballast and cause fire.

Related questions

Will a bad ballast effect only one lamp in a two lamp fluorescent?

Yes, also if it is a bad lamp you will get the same condition.


How do you install pull chain switch into existing Fluorescent lamp?

Installing a pull chain switch into an existing fluorescent lamp includes both mechanical and electrical issues. One has to change the wires and the switch mounts to have the two be compatible within the same fixture.


If I remove two of the four lamps in my fluorescent fixture to save electricity should they be on the same ballast?

Yes


Where can a circuit with two lamps with single pole switch fluorescent lamp with two 2 way and an intermediate control can be used?

This type of circuit would never be used. The two way fluorescent system would depend on the voltage being supplied by the two lamp circuit switch. If the switch turns off the two lamp circuit the rest of the circuit with the fluorescent fixture would become inoperable.


What happens to a non dimmable lamp if used on a dimmer?

If you use a non-dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) in a circuit controlled by a dimmer switch no damage will be done but the CFL will stay bright when the dimmer is turned down whilst any other normal incandescent lamps wired into the same circuit will go dim in the normal way.Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps are now available, for example in the Megaman range of CFLs. For more information see the Related Link shown below.Incandescent dimming uses any incandescent lamps and an incandescent dimmer.To dim fluorescent lamps usually requires use of fluorescent dimmers AND fluorescent dimmable ballasts. If these two components do not match, dimming will not work.The fluorescent lamps themselves are the same whether you put them in a standard (nondimming) ballast or a dimmable ballast.If your dimmers are not dimming the CFLs they are either not fluorescent dimmers or, more likely, your ballast in the light fixture is not a dimmable ballast.


On your 4 bulb fluorescent only 2 bulbs come on?

On the older fluorescent fixtures a four bulb fixture required two ballasts. Two lamps for each ballast. If you have changed the tubes and it still does not work, it sounds like one of the ballasts is not working. You might want to consider replacing the ballast with an electronic one. One electronic ballast will operate four tubes. The existing end sockets can be re used but they will have to be rewired. There is a diagram on the ballast label that shows the connections. This will allow you to use T8 lamps which are lower wattage. This will save money to you in the long run.


Can you use T12 lamp holders with T8 lamps when you change to T8 ballast?

Absolutely. Only you need connect together two wires coming from each lamp holder (shunt).


How do you wire 120 volt 2 bulb 8 ft?

It sounds like you are talking about a two tube eight foot fluorescent fixture. Open the fixture up and you will find a ballast that has probably two yellow wires, two blue wires, two red wires and a black and white wire coming out of it. The 120 volt supply will connect to the black and white wires that protrude out of the ballast. Black ballast to black supply and white ballast to white supply.


What are five common types of light bulbs?

there are 98 different kinds of light bulbs. including colored light bulbs


How do you replace flouresent bulbs?

The long, tubular ones usually rotate and slide out. The curly ones have standard light fittings. Remember to dispose of the old bulb in a designated re-cycling container for them because they contain mercury which will harm people if it gets into the environment (do not break the tubes).


How do you wire 3 - 4' fluorescent light fixtures end to end to 1 ballast?

More information is needed to answer this. We need the ballast and bulb type. If this ballast is not made to do what you want then it should not be done. It can cause damage to the ballast and cause fire.


How can you tell if the halophane light you have is a metal halide or high pressure sodium?

If you have one or more of each type working, it is easy to tell the difference, a metal halide lamp produces a wide spectrum very white light, the high pressure sodium is a narrow spectrum light that is very yellow. If you just have the light fixture, and need to know what kind of lamp it is made for, the lamp type is often mentioned on the ballast nameplate or a small sticker near the lamp socket. If that does not work, a metal halide ballast will usually be two pieces, a transformer with a heavy laminated metal core, and a capacitor in a silver can. The sodium lamp ballast will have these also, but in addition it will have a lamp striker in a second silver can, or a plastic module. In other words Metal Halide ballast: 2 pieces, HPSodium ballast: 3 components.