Installation Tips for Fluorescent Lights

Replacing an incandescent light bulb is simple, while replacing long fluorescent tubes may seem daunting. To ensure safe operations when installing or removing fluorescent lighting it's essential to follow proper safety protocols.Fluorescent tubes contain mercury, an extremely toxic material. To lower your risk of contamination and extend their life span, install a motion sensor or timer that turns off your lights when no one is home.

1. Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling studs

Installing fluorescent lights requires using a stud finder to locate joists. These handheld devices detect dense material within drywall and typically emit beeps or flashes when they detect one, making for easier installation of fixtures.Step one in using your stud finder should be calibrating it against an area without joists and testing its functionality. Adjust it horizontally and vertically until your finder detects a stud; double check results afterwards.Hold a flashlight against the ceiling and look for dimples created by nails that indicate where there might be joists nearby. Unfortunately, this method won't work as effectively in old homes with lath walls; magnets may work better at detecting metal screws used to fasten drywall to wood structures.

2. Use toggle bolts to mount the fixture

Fluorescent lights are popularly used in homes due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan, yet replacement needs do arise from time to time. Replacing fluorescent ceiling light tubes is an easy and straightforward task that doesn't necessitate professional electrician services.Before beginning, turn off your circuit breaker box. Open your fixture by taking steps such as removing its lens/diffuser cover and ballast cover (if applicable). Next, use a stud finder to locate a stud near where you wish to mount the new fluorescent light fixture and drill a hole large enough for folded wings of toggle bolt. Screw them together securely for long-term stability of ceiling lighting fixture.

3. Use a stepladder to support the fixture

LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs have quickly replaced traditional incandescent lamps in residential applications; however, fluorescent tube lights remain popular for certain tasks - for instance illuminating workbenches with four foot fluorescent lamp provides much more effective lighting than any standard incandescent lamp and offers an affordable alternative to other shop lighting methods.Fluorescent tubes emit light in all directions, so their light fixture must feature special reflectors and other accessories to direct it towards where it needs to go.Most light fixtures are designed to accept specific fluorescent tubes of different sizes; therefore it is crucial that you use one rated specifically for your fixture in order to avoid damaging it or incurring injuries. T12, T5, and T8 fluorescent tubes are among the most widely-used sizes.

4. Use a screwdriver to remove the old bulb

Fluorescent lights tend to last a long time before needing replacing - however this task can often be accomplished without professional electrician services. Changing out fluorescent light bulbs is usually straightforward and can easily be accomplished.Step one of replacing light bulbs involves switching off power to the fixture at its circuit breaker box and unzipping its lens/diffuser cover, then taking down and taking out your old light bulb(s).As with any work with mercury-laden dust, it is wise to only work on one bulb at a time and dispose of broken fluorescent bulbs properly - they contain small amounts of mercury which makes them considered household hazardous waste and should be dealt with accordingly. Also make sure you wear safety glasses when handling broken light bulbs!

5. Install the new bulb

If the new bulb still doesn't light, this could be a telltale sign that its special transformer, called a ballast, needs replacing. These transformers may hum or leak black tar-like liquid if they have worn down over time or been compromised in any way.Older fluorescent fixtures feature small metal cylinders known as starters at the ends of their tubes that help ignite gas inside bulbs and start them up, known as starters. If this piece wears out prematurely and causes bulbs to fail early on, - take note of its wattage to make sure that an identical replacement can be purchased.Modern 4-tube fluorescent fixtures often use self-starting or instant start ballasts that do not require separate starter devices for starting them up, and plug-and-play hybrid LED tubes can also be integrated directly AGM Electrical Supplies.