How to Change a Fluorescent Light Bulb

Adhering to safety guidelines and following online verified information, many people could change a fluorescent bulb, and that too with no consultancy requirements.

1. Ways to Change Fluorescent Light Bulbs

LED tubes are relatively common now. After replacement, consider switching to LED tubes, as they can save 25% of energy.

1.1. Tools Required

1. New bulb
2. Pliers/Screwdriver
3. Wire cutters and wire strippers
4. Voltage tester
5. Electrical tapes
6. Stepladder
7. Socket replacement
8. Ballast replacement
9. New Fluorescent light bulb/ LED tubes
10. Flashlight

To change a fluorescent light bulb, turn the light source off, now follow the steps-

• Check the light switch and light fixture. Four bulb units typically consist of four bulbs connected to the light fixture.
• After ensuring the power source is switched off and there is no source of incoming voltage via the fuse box switch to cut any power source, check the bulb’s point of attachment with its socket current in the ceiling.
• With the support of both hands, rotate the old light and bring it into a vertical alignment until a slight twitch is felt. This will remove the old tube from its centre-edge alignment and help it slide down the tube.
• Check for additional screws; screw position varies with tube types; double bulb units typically have screws on each side, and four bulb units typically have screws on the top centre edge.
• There are various fluorescent light fixtures; confirm the type first, as mentioned in this article and check if it is an old or new socket.
• Once this is done in both corners, keep the old bulb aside. Lift the new fluorescent tube and check for any screws or prongs and set the new fluorescent bulb, and replace the fluorescent bulbs successfully.
• Now turn on the fuse box power switch and the wall switch and check the new socket and LED lighting. If you install an LED tube, it is durable and produces more natural light.

1.2. Safety Concerns

Any electrical dysfunction needs careful elaboration, starting from properly using protective gear and safety goggles.

Work under proper lightning conditions and use head protectives and rubber non-inducible slippers.

• The incoming voltage must be stopped, though a circuit breaker immediately trips out the circuit. Cross-checking makes it safer.
• Avoid repairing direct wire linings as they may short-circuit the whole power source, and check for the wires coming from the sockets.
• Keep the required tools handy and get the job done by a family handyman.
• At any cost, avoid unnecessary involuntary movements usually performed by children or pets.
• An overloaded main socket is possible if you keep replacing the same circuit fixture. In those cases, consult an electrician.
• Keeping the wiring order straight is essential, and wires should be placed appropriately into the terminal slots.

1.3. Steps for Socket Replacement

Cracked sockets need to be replaced if caused by sudden pulls or bumps.

After checking the wires, the following steps need to be followed,

• Turn the power switch off from the fuse box.
• Clean and open the fixture and remove all dust particles.
• Prepare the area with a ladder for the ceiling fixture and secure it by cutting down the line.
• Once the problem with sockets has been determined by checking for cracks or burns, remove additional screws, if any and then the socket.
• Remember the wiring order. Although it is an easy removal, make a pattern of the wiring.
• Remove the old socket from its cover, if any, and then unscrew all the socket attachments from the base.
• Align the new socket according to the old socket. Screw the additional screws, ensure the terminal slots are well aligned, and the wiring is well verified.
• Now check the circuit breaker or the fuse box for the power supply and test the new socket.

For light installation, either of two ways is used:

1. Direct light fixture– emits lightning onto the required area or object directly and is often installed on overhead ceilings.

2. Parabolic fixture– This is mainly used commercially to focus the lightning direction onto a path, providing a sophisticated outlook. Parabolic Fixtures have a variety of uses alongside commercial installation. They provide high resolution and clarity in photography and are also used for transportation and residential illumination.

2. Methods and Protocols to be Followed

2.1. Changing Fluorescent Bulbs with Shot Ballast

Older ballast or ballast exposed to colder humid tends to burn out more quickly.

Cracked sockets are pretty standard, too.

• Now, to focus on the critical element of this article, replacing fluorescent lighting is easy if it’s just an old bulb replacement, but otherwise commonly seen, the cracked socket is also a common problem; for those instances, the primary solution is the same as the first mentioned step-
• The switch and fuse box should be checked for no power supply.
• The fixture is operated by opening it up to contact the broken socket.
• Among the few wires present, keep those wires straight and swap them from one side of the socket to another side of the socket one at a time.
• If this doesn’t resolve the circuit issue, the ballast is broken or shot. (Quick note: fluorescent light requires the ballast to stabilize the current circuit and provide the initial striking voltage necessary for starting the arc discharge.

These electromagnetic ballasts produce a humming sound that is often audible.) Ballast replacement costs as much as a new fixture; getting the new fixture will need to be cost-effective instead of replacing the ballast.

Though the primary other objects for office lighting fixtures differ, the quarter turn (anti-clockwise turn) for LED lighting or fluorescent light bulbs is the same.

The critical element of these fixation is grabbing the right fixture, different CFLs are phased out in certain areas.

• Old fixture fixation requires 1.5-inch diameter edged bulbs, also known as T12 bulbs, but in recent days, T8 bulbs have been used. (T is tubular, and the number indicates a diameter value in eight fractions to the inch.)
• This might sound repetitive, but testing for the electricity power is of utmost priority.
• Remove the covers of the light bulb
• Dislocate the exhausted bulb.
• And repeat the process as mentioned beforehand.
• A faulty ballast can be easily identifiable because it causes a humming sound and, in some cases, causes the lights to fluctuate and flicker. Also, a key point to remember is that older ballasts burn out quickly if exposed to cold air.
• There are some risk factors when replacing ballast, so it is essential to call for professional help. An experienced electrician charges around 50-100 dollars per hour.

Depending on the bulb fixture, a family handyman’s light installation costs 60-120 dollars. One can also hire a “light bulb changing service” to perform this task.

For changing a bulb with two pins on each side, one needs to follow the following instructions- After turning the bulb off, turn the bulb to 90 degrees once it has cooled down; if slightly pulled out, it can be removed from its socket, the replacement is installed by re-rotating the bulb in the reverse direction, thereby producing a slight clutch sound. Check the intensity of bright light and consider office lighting.

Old bulbs can be replaced with LED or fluorescent tubes, but they must be retrofitted to the ballast to maintain a match between the bulb and its fixture.

2.2. Color Temperature of Light Bulb

One key determinant for any tube installation is the colour temperature of the light. If overhead lighting is installed, it must be consistent with the eyes and cover the entire area.

The colour temperature is rated in Kelvin, which ranges between 2400k and 6500k. Lower values predict the light as a warm or soft tint tone, and higher-valued T8 bulbs are cool white tones with colour output compared to clear metal halides.

The colour temperature value above 5000 Kelvin for a T8 bulb is specific for workplaces with blue hues traditionally observed. Yellow or orange hues are similar to daylight tones and are used for display areas, highly secured areas or garage lighting.

2.3. LED Tubes and Fluorescent Light Fixtures Replacement Options

As per marketplace knowledge, there are a few possible methodologies through which the tube can be changed-

a. Ballast Bypass LED tubes-

This method is a direct wiring order straight and most commonly installed, proving cost-effective. Instead of performing expensive circuit buildups for the ballast, the user can bypass the ballast entirely.

It runs off the voltage, supplying power up to 277V upon installation, and can be used commercially. It is indeed one of the oldest methodologies, but it was seen to cause safety hazards.

Standards like UL were introduced to ensure the safe installation of new light fixtures. Major categories of these tubes now need to be installed so that the line input voltage is on one end of the tube.

b. Non-shunted rapid start tombstones-

The T12 bulb requires a non-shunted rapid stop when installed. Wiring these is easier if the T12 circuit fixture is already installed.

T8 sockets have a circuit conductor that doesn’t allow regulating current via T12 wiring and doesn’t allow the circuits’ neutral sides.

The installation unit cost is relatively lower, and the wiring order straight is comparatively more straightforward.

c. T8 Electronic ballast compatible tubes-

An electronic ballast-compatible LED fluorescent replacement tube is a modern option. It necessarily works with electronic ballast installation and replacement. These don’t work without ballasts or magnetic ballasts.

According to industry data, this combination accounts for over 1.2 billion tube lights.

d. Hybrid type ( t12/ t8 ballast bypass led tube/ t8 electronic ballast compatible)

Some manufacturers produce electronic bulbs with electronic T8 ballast replacements, which can bypass ballasts upon requirements. Hence, the name Hybrid will work with either T8 or T12.

If the dual nature properties fail anyway, tubes can bypass the ballast quickly, which typically provides advantages for double bulb units.

2.4. Household Budget Friendly Options

In Australia, the electricity budget has significantly decreased because lights based on LED are reducing the annual electricity consumption, and incandescent and halogen light bulbs are being phased out due to the Australian market.

1. Switch to LEDs while replacing fluorescent bulbs to save electricity. Their most significant advantage is that they do not require the removal of the whole socket to be replaced. For example, ten halogen light bulbs, if changed to LEDs, will save around $ $100 over the years. LEDs are also low-maintained, as they last longer.
   • Here is the method through which LEDs can be upgraded.
     • Find your region and contact suppliers for your area.
     • Choose the type of LED that best suits your requirements.
     • They choose suppliers, work independently area-wise, and lay out a map of operating LED installation.
     • The supplier will send a licensed electrician for installation and will be bound to answer any of your queries.
     • After installation is completed, the electrician will dispose of the old tubes and recycle them to avoid any hazards.
     • If problems occur once the process is complete, contact the supplier again using the same method.
2. Use a sensor to detect motion and turn lights on or off accordingly. Some LEDs are systemized accordingly and can turn off with sufficient daylight.
3. Solar Panels provide the best modern-day technique for installing solar outdoor lighting, such as garden lights, to save lots of electricity.

3. Conclusion

Replacing fluorescent bulbs is a easier task with proper supplies and the correct new bulb but has some safety concerns involved hence need to accomplish under care, close up the family handyman properly too.

Griping the bulb at one end should also be executed properly. Once every step is accomplished, checking the functioning of sockets is of the utmost importance under the safety guidelines.

If done correctly fluorescent fixture will work, however for a fluorescent fixture that still doesn’t function it is advisable to consult professionals strictly.