Choosing the Right Bathroom Cabinet

Replacing A Fluorescent Light

2013-01-12T07:36:00.003+08:00

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
How do I replace a fluorescent light with 3 recessed lights? I have a fluorescent light in my kitchen that I need to get rid of. I've read up about adding recessed lights and they all say "run the power source to the light." Okay, but I'd like to get rid of the fluorescent, and swap it with 3 new recessed lights. I've also read when you replace lights to make sure you don't go over the current wattage. As it is now, there are two 40W fluorescent bulbs. I'd like to replace them with 3 60W energy saving bulbs, so it would actually be 14W each (42W total). So finally my question is: can I simply kill power to the room, disconnect the electrical line from the fluorescent, remove the fluorescent fixture, put three recessed lights in the same vicinity, split the electrical cable into 3 parts (3 red & 3 white), and connect that to my 3 new lights? Is that doable or is there something I'm not understanding. Thank you for the help.
- ANSWER:
  You got it. Usually the wire will be black and white rather than red, but you are understanding it ok. Your wattage is fine. With the wire that is there you can even go bigger on the bulbs with no problem. 14 ga wire will handle 1400 watts total and that is the smallest wire used in home wiring. So even 3 100 watt bulbs would be fine. You are correct in your wiring. Make sure your connections are tight. Tug each wire to make sure it will not slip out of the wire nut.
QUESTION:
How easy is it to replace a fluorescent light fixture in the kitchen? I have a flourescsent light fixture in the kitchen which I do not like. The fixture uses two U-shaped flourescent tubes and is a pain in the neck (literally) to change the tubes. I'm thinking of changing the fixture into a ceiling light that uses compact flourescent bulbs instead. Because the fixture uses the U-shaped tubes, would replacing the fixture be any more difficult than if I was to replace a light fixture that didn't use a fluorescent light fixture? Is there anything special I'd have to do? thx
- ANSWER:
  The only thing u have to do is turn off the breaker, and install the fixture of your choice. you don't need to hire an electrician or anyone else. Kill the power...Verify that its off. disconnect wiring. black to black, white to white, green or bare wire to the fixture body..make darn sure your connections are tight, secure fixture to box or ceiling....sit back and enjoy
QUESTION:
Is there anyway to cheaply replace fluorescent light fixtures? I am renting an apartment, and they have the "school room" fluorescent lights in all the rooms. They're hideous and bland. Is there anyway to replace the covers for them, with something modern... or a cheap way to replace them all together?. I looked online, and the fixtures are ridiculously expensive. Any ideas???
- ANSWER:
  First off, you probably should have permission from the landlord before you make changes to the apartment. Not too many landlords want tenants messing around with electrical issues. Second off, if you get permission, you should hire a licensed electrician to do this. Too much liability for you if you DIY and burn the place down (think of the other tenants). As far as 'cheap' goes, you are probably going to be out of luck. Some florescent fixtures can take a variety of diffusers. But, I doubt that they are going to be cheap. Sorry if it isn't the answer that you wanted. But, I do believe that it is the truth.
QUESTION:
How much energy is saved by replacing fluorescent lights with sky lights in a school building? Only serious answers please...this is important. Thank you! :]
- ANSWER:
  Skylights are a two way street in terms of energy usage. They do allow natural light into the building which can reduce the amount of electric light needed. On the other side of the equation the roof is where most of a building's heat loss happens. A skylight does not have as much insulating value as the rest of the roof so the heat lost through a skylight is an energy loss. In hot weather the skylight can be an unwelcome heat source from the sun adding to A/C costs. Because weather conditions vary from day to day and seasonally its difficult to determine the energy loss or gain from skylights.
QUESTION:
Does anyone get migraines triggered by fluorescent light (energy efficient) bulbs? I am dreading the day that they replace light bulbs everywhere with these. I am very sensitive and sometimes they can trigger migraines. I am wondering if anybody else has experiences this. I also can get migraines with flashing lights (like a light bulb that is going out at the office) or with a camera flash.
- ANSWER:
  These things can also trigger epileptic seizures. The tube flashes on and off with the alternating electric current that powers them. That's why you can see flicker in old dying ones. As far the light emitted by common fluorescent lights, it is NOT A FULL SPECTRUM OF WAVELENGTHS. You should have FULL spectrum fluorescent tubes to replace the bulbs, NOT mercury vapor tubes as is most common, and you will find the light easier on the eyes.
QUESTION:
When installing a fluorescent light fixture, where to I run the wires from the ceiling to the light? I'm replacing a fluorescent light fixture. My old fixture has a big square hole in the middle. The black and white wires from the ceiling run through the hole and connect to the black and white wires in the fixture. However, this new fixture doesn't have a big hole in the middle. There are some really small holes though. Where exactly do I run the wires through? i'm using a lithonia brand two bulb light fixture
- ANSWER:
  There should be at least one 1/2 inch knockout for this purpose, be sure however to protect the wires by using a 1/2 inch plastic bushing or romex connector that pops right into the hole. Make sure you connect the proper wires to the fixture wires & ground to the green screen screw on the fixture.
QUESTION:
can I replace fluorescent lighting with track ilghting? I have a boring old wide fluorescent light in my kitchen which looks dated and I'd like to replace it with some track lighting. Is it jus a matter of replacing the fixture itself or, will it require some rewiring?
- ANSWER:
  If the lighting now is on a switch or switch's, your all set to go. You can replace the fixtures and more than likely repaint the ceiling since I ll guess the fluorescent fixtures are a different size and have been up awhile. GL
QUESTION:
Internet resources for replacing a fluorescent light with an incandescent light? We have a very ugly fluorescent light in our kitchen and we would like to replace it with an incandescent light. However, when I've been searching online for how-to information, it's very hard to come by. Most information is just about the benefits of having a fluorescent light over incandescent, which brings me to my first portion of the question: even if I put in an incandescent light, couldn't I still put in the compact fluorescent bulbs and save on the energy consumption/cost? Secondly, I need to find a good resource that can explain the process for doing the switch. A video would be ideal, but anything with good step by step instructions and accompanying photos would work. Thanks!
- ANSWER:
  I think all you have to do is change the fixture, which is relatively easy as home projects go. With older fixtures(which is what I suspect you have) there won't be any incandescent bulbs to fit that. Thats why the whole fixture has to go. Just make sure the electricity is off to the room you are working in. Look for information on changing the fixture and you will find what you are looking for. http://www.ehow.com/how_2296169_change-light-fixtures.html http://www.squidoo.com/lightfixture I included a couple of links but there are many. A good investment is a how to fix thing around the house book. Many of these are at the library for free or at book stores to buy.
QUESTION:
Replacing a Fluorescent Light Bulb Transformer? I am behind in technology, I just found out they changed the Magnetic Transformers into Electric Transformers lol. There is no store that sells the exact version, however, they sell a version very similar. I am not very knowledgeable on this subject, so I wanted to know if you guys knew the answer. I want to replace the Advance Transformer R-2E75-S-3-TP with this model http://www.amazon.com/Satco-F96T12-Instant-Slimline-Ballast/dp/B000UX3YB4/ref=sr_1_13?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1325902416&sr=1-13 I was just wondering if this is safe/possible? For extra information, I want to use this for 2 F96T12 60W 1.15~Amp fluorescent light bulbs.
- ANSWER:
  I totally agree with Stan. The new fixtures come with electronic ballasts which should be more reliable than the old transformer ballasts. Furthermore, 48" tubes are commonplace, come in a wide variety of color temperatures, and are reasonably priced. We had an old, 8' fluorescent fixture in our laundry room. The ballast died a horrible and smelly death. We replaced it with three, 4' fixtures. It was a very good decision. If you are capable of replacing a ballast transformer, then you should be capable of wiring for an additional, 4' fixture to give you more light, if you wish. Just make sure power to the lights is off before you start work and make sure to get your work inspected by the municipality/county you live in.
QUESTION:
How can I fix my Fluorescent light? I have a fluorescent light in my bathroom. It started to flicker so I replace the light bulbs. Two weeks later, it is doing it again? What is the problem? How do I fix it?
- ANSWER:
  Sounds like you need a new ballast, the black rectangular object inside the fixture. Turn off the light, remove the lamp/s and pan. Inside you will see a ballast with 8 wires. Disconnect the black and white wires. Now cut the red, blue and yellow wires, about 6 inches from the ballast. Remove the ballast supporting screw and the ballast will come out. It is heavier than it appears, so be ready. It may also be leaking a tarry substance, avoid touching this. Make note of the numbers on the ballast (eg. F40 - T12) and dispose of it. Install a ballast with the same markings. Connect the wires colour to colour, 1 red to 1 red, 1 blue to 1 blue, 1 yellow to 1 yellow and the same with the rest. Last connections are white to white and black to black. Use marrettes to make these joints. (Be sure to pick up new lamp/s and 6 # 31 marrettes when buying the ballast.) Reinstall the pan and lamps. That's it, hit the switch.
QUESTION:
Can I replace a fluorescent light fixture with ballast with a florescent light fixture without a ballast? My kitchen light fixture cover fell off, the clips that held the cover in place all cracked off. the light and ballast, florescent tubes (2 of them) all work, they are just ugly and I want to replace them. Since there is a ballast, I am unsure if I can replace them with a light fixture that doesn't have a ballast.
- ANSWER:
  If you replace to ENTIRE fixture, it doesn't matter what the old fixture used. The NEW fixture should have everything needed to connect directly to your home wiring.
QUESTION:
How to fault detect a bad fluorescent light fixture? A few of my under counter fluorescent fixtures in the kitchen don't work. they are all less than 3 years old. I replace the light bulb, but it still doesn't light. How do you test what part of the fixture has failed- ie the ballast, a connection, etc
- ANSWER:
  It is actually quite uncommon to find flourescent fixtures that use starters anymore unless they are very old. If the fixture is that old it would most likely be cost effective to simple replace the fixture. Starters are not expensive, but may be difficult to find and there are more energy efficient fixtures on the market today that also offer more pleasing light colors. If your fixture is newer and doesnt have a starter or even if it does have a starter there will be a ballast and this is the most likely reason for failure or the light to come on. A ballast is simply a transformer that boosts your household voltage to a voltage that is needed to cause the gas inside the tube to "burn". Standard mechanical ballasts will eventually wear out. This is often evidenced by visually inspecting the ballast where you will often times find a black tarry substance leaking from the case of the ballast. The ballast, by the way, will be located inside the cover of the fixture, it is not exposed. Newer flourescent fixtures will have an electronic ballast that often will look like a small printed circuit board like that as you may find in a radio. If you feel comfortable replacing the ballast it is a fairly simple procedure. First be absolutely sure that you have turned the circuit off before attempting to replace a ballast. Simply turning the light switch off is not good enough. You can check to see that the circuit is off by testing with a circuit tester that does not require live contact. These are available at hardware stores. The tester will "chirp" if voltage is present. Also once you think the circuit is off, check with a "wiggy" tester, also available from a hardware store. This tester requires live contact with the wiring. Always check your testers on a known live outlet before proceeding to the circuit in question to ensure that the tester works properly. Once you are sure the circuit is turned off you can proceed with replacing the ballast. It is a simple process of disconnecting the wires from the faulty ballast and removing it then install the new ballast matching the colors of the wires. To make sure that you purchase the correct ballast you can either look at the label of the old ballast or tell the clerk at the store about your fixture. Is it an 8 foot, 2 tube fixture or a 4 foot 4 tube, 18 inch single tube fixture, just let the clerk know. Again consider that if the fixture is old just replacing the entire fixture. Warning: You have been told to be sure the circuit is off before working on the fixture. Household current can be DEADLY if you come into contact with it. If you do not understand how to use a circuit tester or are at all uncomfortable with working with electricity call an electrician. This type of repair is quite inexpensive and you will be certain that the job is done right and safely. I will assume NO responsibility if you decide to perform this repair yourself. Often times it is much less costly to hire a professional than to put yourself at risk.
QUESTION:
does the landlord or renter replace fluorescent overhead lights? we have a fluorescent light on the ceiling of our kitchen, it is like one of those big bulbs with 4 feet of twisted pipe that looks pricey to replace. At first I thought as the renters we should replace the light bulbs, but my roommates insist our landlord should do it. I found here questions confirming my stance, but they all seem to be talking about regular screw in incandescent type light bulbs
- ANSWER:
  You (the renter) pay for light bulbs. I have the florescent ones you're talking about in my bathroom, only they are smaller, but they still cost about each...I pay for them. The landlord wasn't using them to make them burn out, you were.
QUESTION:
Replace fluorescent lights with rope lights? I have fluorescent lights underneath my cabinets in the kitchen. Is it possible to replace them with rope lights that can connect to a light switch?
- ANSWER:
  Yes, it's possible, BUT... IF the light wiring is connected directly "INTO" a light switch, that project needs to be done either by an Electrician, OR someone who really KNOWS WHAT he/she is doing!!!!! Another remote possibility is, IF you have a receptacle that is CONTROLLED BY a light switch, then plug the light string into that outlet. Another less expensive option is to simply plug and unplug the light string as needed.
QUESTION:
Flickering fluorescent light replaced, still flickering!!? We have two fluorescent lights in our shop. They are both plugged in to the same outlet. One of them was flickering so we replaced the bulbs. It still flickered so we figured it was a bad ballast and replaced that too. The damned light is still flickering! So we switched the plugs in the outlet and it made no difference. So we thought maybe that outlet couldn't take having two lights plugged in, so we unplugged the one not flickering.. Still made no difference. Damned thing is still flickering. Any suggestions? Herb, The first fixture we had for about a year before we could replace it. We replaced it entirely. Fixture and bulbs are all brand new. We got the bulbs the package said to get. Tried the bulb swapping, same light still flickers. But it can't be the ballast, that was the first thing we replaced.
- ANSWER:
  To complete the troubleshooting i would recommend you move the lamps to a different outlet. Preferably on a different circuit. If they no longer flicker then atleast you can isolate the issue to the outlet and not the lights.
QUESTION:
Why the traditional Idea bulb as an incandescent light bulb is replaced by Fluorescent light bulb? why is it happening so ?
- ANSWER:
  Energy efficiency. An incandescent bulb wastes a lot of power as heat, as the filament must glow "white hot" to emit white light. The fluorescent light emission is a (near) cold process. Thus more energy efficient, less power is required to produce white light.
QUESTION:
In NYC ConEd replaced light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps but now I can't insert a regular bulb? Seems like there is a piece of plastic left in the light fitting which prevents a normal edison screw bulb from fitting in there... I guess to force us to use the CFLs. This happened in the bathroom with the vanity lights - so there aren't many standards for that.
- ANSWER:
  A CFL fits in the exact same socket as an incandescent. If you can't gt a regular bulb in there look for something broken in the socket. Do not look for a conspiracy.
QUESTION:
How to pick standard fluorescent light bulbs? I want to replace my incandescent light bulbs with standard fluorescent light bulbs but the problem is that fluorescent light bulbs happens to be extremely dim and the area in which light spreads is really small. I bought a 150W replacement which consumes 30W but when i compare the luminosity and area which light spreads is worse than a 80W incandescent light bulb. Any tips on how to choose the right fluorescent light bulb?
- ANSWER:
  Fluorescent lights are good way to provide natural light spectrum to your indoor garden while cutting down the waste heat produced by the light bulbs. you can find better options as per your requirement...
QUESTION:
If we replace light bulbs with fluorescent ones, what do we do with the unwanted incandescent ones we removed? Won't they just end up in the waste stream? Is there a eco-freiendly way to discard them? I now have only fluorescent bulbs throught out my home, but I'm also stuck with a box full of incandescent bulbs I don't want and probably can't even give away
- ANSWER:
  I have to take a different position that a few of the other answerers here. While there are non-profits, schools, and poor people who might gladly accept your old incandescent bulbs, you must NOT let them get re-used. Why not? Because then there might not be an actual reduction in carbon emissions. Think about it. Your old bulb created a relatively large amount of carbon emission. Your new CFL bulb will create much less carbon emission, but it will still generate some. If you give your old bulb to someone who might not have otherwise used that bulb, there could well be a NET INCREASE in global warming as a result of your actions - as both your old bulb and a new one would be in use. "Our goal is not just to reduce our PERSONAL carbon emissions, but to think about how to reduce OVERALL carbon emissions, also." You will be hard pressed to find a convenient way to recycle your old bulbs. I fear your best bet is to simply throw them away. Yes, you are prematurely increasing trash going to landfill, but I believe that's a reasonable trade-off for the certainty of years of reduced carbon emissions. GreenJoe.com says "Out with the brown, in with the green!"
QUESTION:
how do you replace a fluorescent light and what if it doesnt turn on when you change the bulb? you wouldnt think this would be such a hard task, but i am having soo much trouble trying to figure out why these new bulbs wont turn on ...
- ANSWER:
  Hire an insured handyman. Mark
QUESTION:
My loft fluorescent light isn't working. I've tried replacing the starter and bulb, which didn't work? ? I've tried both of these things, and have verified that the new ones work by testing them in a similar light in the kitchen. I've noticed a grey cable running from the light to the switch, and have checked inside the switch, all of which seems to be fastened correctly. Any help would be greatly appreciated. croasr
- ANSWER:
  Is it a fused switch, in which case check the fuse? Then check your fuse board- the light may have been put in on a dedicated fuse and the micro switch may have tripped. Follow the wire back and see if it is broken anywhere- it may have been chewed by rodents, though one would expect the RCD to trip in that case. Finally, have you removed or switched off anything else that is normally on? I’m thinking that whoever installed the light in the loft ran it from another circuit (a 'spur’) and it may be reliant on another switch being on. Finally, the fitting itself may be faulty. Apart from that , don’t know! Good luck- and be careful. Electricity kills!
QUESTION:
Any tips on replacing fluorescent bulbs with LEDs in light box displays? Several days ago,I have got a LED display from http://www.stage-lights.com/ProductsType/Outdoor-Full-color-LED-Display.htm yet I cannot figure out how to assemble? Are there any tips on replacing flurescent bulbs with LEDs in light box displays? Please have you suggestive solutions as well as instructions.
- ANSWER:
  You might as well try to consult seller from the original site.
QUESTION:
Do all 4 feet, two bulb, fluorescent light fixtures give off the same brightness? I would like to replace a flourescent light fixture in my bedroom. Do all two bulb, 4 feet fixtures give off the same light? I've seen some cheaper ones called utility lights. Will they work?
- ANSWER:
  Anything will work in there as long as the ballast can supply the correct voltage. It's pretty standardized. The rule of thumb is that if the tube will fit, it will light. Between coatings, operating pressures, gasses, electrodes, and voltages from ballast, there is a lot of variation in light brightness and quality. Just find what you like.
QUESTION:
How do I fix Fluorescent light? I recently installed 4(2 bulb) fluorescent lights -about a month ago. They worked fine til recently one bulb in one light went out. Replaced bulb same thing??? New fixtures so no "starter". If ballast was bad wouldn't it affect both bulbs?
- ANSWER:
  Its not the Ballast first of all. Sometimes bulbs will go bad fast depending on shipping mishandling where inner filaments are damaged some or manufacturers. Just replace both bulbs instead of just 1. See how long it will last. If they burn out again then you have a short in the end connectors. Dont bother changing the ballasts.I recommend a return for a totally new fixture before the manufacturer warranty runs out.
QUESTION:
will a regular fluorescent light fixture work with a blacklight lightbulb? i have a normal average fluorescent light fixture like one you would find in a store or a school. my question is would i be able to just take a black light lightbulb and replace the normal white one? or is there a difference in the two light tubes?
- ANSWER:
  Yes.
QUESTION:
Can I replace a fluorescent tube light fixture (like the ones in an office) with a normal incandescent one? My house was built in the 80s and the washrooms, kitchen and basement all use the fluorescent tubes. I want to slowly start changing them all.
- ANSWER:
  Yes. You would just have to change out the fixture to something you like. I personally prefer fluorescents, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
QUESTION:
We recently had to replace a wall mounted fluorescent light, with a smaller one, what to do with wires? It was a wall mounted light above the kitchen sink. The wires previously ran behind the light, but since the new one is smaller they have to run across the front of the wood plate. I was thinking white electrician's tape, or to simply paint over them. Drilling another hole to run the wire isn't necessarily an option currently. Looking for a reasonable temporary solution that is more appealing to the eye than simply leaving the wires exposed. The light is mounted on the lower part of the windows that are above our kitchen sink. The wood is maybe 1/4 or 1/2 inch thick and runs the length of the wall. Also, it is about 12 inches from the sink, so placing something to hide it is out of the question.
- ANSWER:
  Surface mounted raceways may be your answer. Search "surface raceway" for Ideas of whats available. Most home centers carry them, or can order them for you. Good luck.
QUESTION:
Do all compact fluorescent light bulbs make that annoying humming sound when you turn them on? I just replaced my burnt out light bulbs in my room with compact fluorescent ones & when ever they are on, they make a really annoying humming/buzzing sound like the larger ones do. Are there any particular types or brands that don't or am I stuck with the sound.
- ANSWER:
  the balasts or faulty and you may be near other electrical.
QUESTION:
Is it possible to change a 4' standard fluorescent light fixture ballast and replace with a 3' bulb? Is it possible to use the same ballast from a 4 feet light fixture and use it with a 3 feet florescent light bulb?
- ANSWER:
  The fluorescent ballasts are designed to operate specifically desingned fluorescent bulbs. It takes a higher voltage to start a 4 foot fluorescent bulb than a 3 foot fluorescent bulb. You will definitely greatly shorten the life of the 3 foot fluorescent bulb if you connect it to a fluroescent ballast desingned for a 4 foot fluorescent bulb if it does not burn out almost immediately.
QUESTION:
Can you replace a fluorescent ceiling light with a regular current one?
- ANSWER:
  You can, the wires that feed the ballast can be connected to regular sockets. You won't greatly increase the power you use if you select CFL lamps. Be selective about what style of fixture you select, most incandescent bulbs are being eliminated, you will probably end up using CFL or LED lamps after all.
QUESTION:
Why is my fluorescent kitchen light staying ON even when the switch on OFF and even disconnected? A few days ago the fixture stayed ON when I switched it to OFF and has stayed on at full strength since then. I pulled the fuse today and took out the wall switch, planning to get another and replace it. The light came BACK ON when I replaced the fuse, even with the switch sitting on the table. What should I do?
- ANSWER:
  Do other fluorescent lights light up as well, if so you may have something in or near your house emitting a strong electromagnetic field. An EMF can light fluorescent bulbs without them being screwed in. Take a fluorescent bulb and get it close to one of those plasma ball things like at Spencer's. When it gets close the bulb will light up. The EMF excites the particles and the bulb lights.
QUESTION:
How do you remove wires from fluorescent light sockets? I need to replace a ballast in a fluorescent light fixture but can't remove the wires from the sockets. I can push the wires in but not out. Is there some way to remove them or are these going to have to be replaced? Is it normal to have to replace the sockets when you replace the ballast? Thanks
- ANSWER:
  They DO come out of the sockets and that IS the right way to fix them. With the power off take a pliers and grip the wire close to the socket. Pull and twist until the wire comes out. it's not soldered or anything so feel free to pull hard, just hang on to the socket so you don't break it. Simply push in the new wire and you're done.
QUESTION:
Which uses less energy? A LED track lighting fixture or a fluorescent lighting fixture? In replacing my lighting fixture, I'm trying to figure out which might be more energy efficient. Would it be, an LED track lighting fixture with four 50W bulbs, or a square fluorescent lighting fixture with two 40W tubes?
- ANSWER:
  There isn't much difference there. I would be more concerned about the light the fixture puts out and how it affects my eyes. Watts divided by voltage (ballast not line) = amps. Amps make the meter spin. At 120 V you are looking at .3 to .4 amp difference between the two.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light needs replaced? I have two, four foot T12 light strips. The lights have been taking longer and longer to turn on. An electrician said I need a ballast and that I might as well get new strips (fixtures). I got some new T12 strips and then saw that people favored T8s. So I returned them and saw that T8s are more expensive, so got the T12s again. Then I read about starters, but I can't find one on either one of these. I'm wondering now if I really need to replace these or just the tubes (bulbs).
- ANSWER:
  Hello. My name is Richie. I am a 26 year electrician and a home improvement expert. I will help you the best I can. Consider this, get rid of the fixture and get a new one or replace the ballast with a new one that is for T8 lamps. T12 lamps are phased out. They are no longer made since last year, same goes for 100 watt incandescent bulbs. &5 watt bulbs will go next. If you go to Lowes, a two lamp ballasts cost and a four lamp ballast cost . Then you need new T8 lamps. Most are a pair. Don't worry, the T8 lamps pin ratio is the same as the T12. Good luck and God Bless. Jesus Christ loves you.
QUESTION:
Can I replace my tank light with fluorescent light? I have the Aqueon 10 and I have some brackish fish (figure 8 puffer, getting some bumblebee gobies) and it looks weird because they are part saltwater fish in an orange light. The color of the light looks really ugly, and I was wondering if I could replace it with a fluorescent one? Also, I want to replace my gravel with sand. How do I do that without getting rid of the beneficial bacteria? @Harsh How do I siphon something out? Do I need any extra materials @Harsh and Pytr I have a hose but its old and I didn't know the term for it. I will probably get it when I get my gobies (tank is new)
- ANSWER:
  Yes, fluorescent lights are good as are halides. What looks nice in reef aquariums is a 50/50 blue/white light. To change from gravel to sand, siphon out half of your water into a bucket, put all ornaments, plants and fish into that bucket. I suggest putting your heater in the bucket to keep the fish warm as the process takes about an hour. So as of now you should have a tank half filled with water and gravel on the bottom and a filter in there. You can also put the filter in the bucket and have that run. If it doesn't just turn it off and let it be. Now, scoop out the gravel with some sort of container (careful not to scratch or break the glass). After you have taken out as much as possible, dispose of the gravel as you wish and siphon out the gravel and waste remnants along with the rest of the water out and dispose of the liquid. I recommend you clean the sides of the aquarium with a washcloth of some sort at this point. After you have done this and you have a nice spotless aquarium, pour in the sand (which you should clean). After you have the sand in, you can either plant and decorate it dry or do that after you fill the water. Careful not to disturb the sand when pouring in water; I recommend using a bowl to slow the force of the water as your pour. Fill the water a little less than halfway (make sure you condition it and all). From the bucket with the fish and water now, remove the heater and let it and the filter run for about 15 minutes. As this is happening pour a little bit of water from the bucket with the fish gradually. Once there is like half of the water left in the bucket, go ahead and put the fish in and pour the rest of the water in. The ornaments and filter should have held enough beneficial bacteria and your fish will appreciate their new substrate! Good luck! By the way, if your ornaments have holes, please be sure that your fish aren't hiding inside the ornament or within the plants. This happened with me and my cories. They were INSIDE of the ornament and out of water for ten minutes. Luckily, I had no deaths. But with puffers, you never know. They too are small. EDIT: To siphon something out, you need to purchase a gravel vacuum. It's basically a hose. You can use a regular tube that is of at least one inch in diameter. My siphon has a pump but there's a manual way to siphon using a tube that you can look up. It's everywhere. But I would recommend purchasing a pump action gravel vacuum siphon anyways as you should be performing water changes with it every week anyways. They're like -5.
QUESTION:
Can I replace a 75 watt rated light fixture with 3 separate - 23 watt compact fluorescent lights safely? I want to know if i need to replace / update the wiring.
- ANSWER:
  Yes, you should be able to do this switch safely as long as you shut off the power source to the light either by the wall switch or from the circuit breaker. You asked about replacing/updating the wiring. Is there a reason for you to suspect that it needs replacing? The existing wires should be just fine unless there is visible damage or the insulation is hard and brittle from the heat of the light fixture. Anyways, the short answer is yes, you can make this change safely. Good luck!! Steve
QUESTION:
How do you feel about the incandescent light bulb being replaced with Compact Fluorescent bulbs? I don't like Compact Fluorescent bulbs because the light they give out is not the same as a regular light bulb. I prefer the use of halogens in my home. They use more energy, but the light output is much more crisp. How about you Do you like Fluorescent bulbs or regular light bulbs?
- ANSWER:
  I love the new CFL's CFLs save up to 75% less energy because they operate at lower temperatures and they last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. To me this sounds like a no brainier. I save money on my electric bill and they last a lot longer. I know they cost more upfront, but in the life span of the bulb it is a lot cheaper to use CFL's and recycle it than use the halogen bulbs. Everyone is right they do contain Mercury, but for a few dollars you can recycle them through the mail. It is still cheaper to buy and recycle a CFL. Than to use a halogen light bulb. I go to https://veoliaes-ts.com/RecyclePak/RecyclePak%20Order?id=1064 to recycle my light bulbs. It is fastest and easiest way I have found.
QUESTION:
I replaced all the fluorescent light bulbs in an existing fixture but cannot stop them from flickering-- ???
- ANSWER:
  You might need to replace the fixture's ballast.
QUESTION:
Landlords: How do you minimize your risk of being sued by Tenants? I recently read this: Lawsuits of all stripes prey on landlords' minds. Jackson said his company provides many services to his renters just to avoid legal hassles. "Early on," he said, "one of my tenants borrowed my lawnmower. He hit a piece of metal in the grass. His roommate was sunning himself nearby and the metal flew up and opened a gash in his forehead. The roommate sued me. Now we do all the lawns, replace fluorescent light, repair the windows; I don't want tenants doing anything."
- ANSWER:
  As long as you do everything right you really only have to worry about nut jobs. Nothing will prevent a lawsuit from a nut job. however, they show their true colors in court, so it is not a big worry. However, I do check my applicants back ground, and seeing who they have sued in the past is part of that. If they have more then 1 lawsuit I avoid them
QUESTION:
light is buzzing any ideas? i have a 5 ft fluorescent light in my kitchen and it buzzes (only when its on). i am painting the ceiling this weak (white with a snickle of mint) Lol. and was wondering any advice on; is problem fixable or should i just replace light. many thanks for any answers in advance.
- ANSWER:
  bulb or the ballast is going. probably the ballast. probably cheaper to replace the light at this point.
QUESTION:
Shattered Fluorescent lamp bulb. Do we clean everything? We were fixing a kitchen light and had to replace those fluorescent light bulbs (the long tube ones you see in offices and schools), and one shattered over the sink and some shards got onto clean dishes. Do I have to rewash and clean everything? I heard these bulbs have mercury in them.
- ANSWER:
  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please, clean everything. I know it will take some time, but it's worth it.The big fat ones had a lot of mercury in them. (T-12) The newer ones (T-8) don't have any. This is why the old ones are being phased out.
QUESTION:
What's the problem with my fluorescent light bulbs? About a month ago I replaced the fluorescent bulbs in my kitchen and now they don't come on all the way. It's like I am only getting half the wattage from them. Then some times it comes on completely bright. and it stays that way until I turn it off and the next evening turn it back on. What is the solution?
- ANSWER:
  Depending on how much of the time you use those lights, you might consider leaving them on all the time. It may even be cheaper in electricity consumption. Fluorescent lights consume a large power surge when turning on, but use very little power once lit. So if you turn them off and on several times per day you may well be better off just leaving them on. And that would also solve your starter problem.
QUESTION:
Rough quote for removing a kitchen light? Any of you wonderful electricians of the UK out there able to give me a rough (rough without seeing obviously) quote for removing a standard kitchen fluorescent strip light and replacing it with a smal three angled spot light and dimmer switch? The lights will have been bought before hand so all that needs to be done is to install it and the dimmer switch.
- ANSWER:
  £65. Make sure the work is certified, ie a Minor Works certificate as mentioned. The circuit must be tested to make sure its safe for continued service before any work can be carried out. Any old charlatan can say £20 but he's not assuming responsibility for his work without certification. There will also be a small charge for safe disposal of the fluorescent tube as it contains mercury which is a controlled substance.
QUESTION:
Question about fluorescent light fixtures. Do they unplug? Suppose you have to service a fluorescent light fixture in an office. However, you can't turn off the circut as that would shut down power to other areas of the office, which people don't want to happen. Could you do things such as replacing the ballast or a cracked socket. I would imagine that you couldn't do this. If I'm right, how could someone repair a fluorescent light fixture of the kind you find in offices and buildings. Is there a way to unplug it like you can with the ones you commonly find in people's basements?
- ANSWER:
  you can only unplug it if it has been wired that way. If it is wired in a series with other lights, then there is no way and than killing power, to shut it off.
QUESTION:
Stronger alternative to fluorescent light panels? My mother has a cracked kitchen fluorescent light panel and would like to replace them with something with some kind of 3m stained glass film. I suggested a thin sheet of plexiglass, but how thin, where to buy them and has anyone done this before?
- ANSWER:
  http://www.fluorescentgallery.com/
QUESTION:
Why Are My New Fluorescent Light Bulbs Flickering? I recently replaced the incandescent bulbs in my ceiling fan light with fluorescent bulbs. Now, whenever I turn on my light, the bulbs seem to gently flicker. Is this common for newly installed fluorescent bulbs or might there be a problem with the wiring/installation?
- ANSWER:
  Crap bulbs, return them and get new one
QUESTION:
Installing a fluorescent light fixture to replace an incandescent bulb...? Do I need to turn the power off at the circuit box, or can I just turn the light switch off. Problem is... I have to get a key off of someone to get to the circuit box. This is paid work, but there are always logistic issues. At this point the fixture is in place, the buildings wires need to be connected to the fluorescent fixture (they are still connected to the incandescent bulb). Thank you for your answers. I get what guys are saying. I think a meter is definitely going to be what I need. Thanks for your careful responses. I appreciate it.
- ANSWER:
  The safest and most correct response is to turn off the circuit breaker. That being said, you can do it by turning off the switch, but it isn't recommended. If you have a meter you can turn off the switch and check the wires for power if there are more in the box than JUST those from the switch. I would do it myself, but I NEVER advise others to do it. I do not know your knowledge base, so I don't want to get you killed. Now if you are good at reading between the lines, you will know what to do. {wink} Al
QUESTION:
How do I make the light from my fluorescent lightbulbs look warmer in color? I just replaced my regular light bulbs with cfl's in an effort to do my part in protecting the environment. But I'm feeling really conflicted now, because the cfl light is just horrible, and makes all the warm colors in my apartment look dull and washed-out. Is there a way to make the light look more like the light from a regular light bulb?? Please help. Thanks.
- ANSWER:
  You probably got "cool white" tubes. There are many different kinds with different color spectrums. You probably want "Warm White", hence the term. They're a little harder to find, but any electrical parts store should have them.
QUESTION:
need tips on starting f40 rapid start fluorescent lights in an area with high humidity? Once the bulbs have started they work perfectly, but the only way to start them is continuously flick the wall switch til the bulbs light. Have replaced the bulbs and ballasts within the last week. Is there any way to add an old fashioned starter into the system?
- ANSWER:
  Although you just replaced the ballast, my suggestion would be to refit/replace the fixture with f32 ballast and bulbs as f40 bulbs will no longer be available in the near future.
QUESTION:
Can the wiring/volts for a 2 tube fluorescent light fixture (being replaced) handle 2 hanging pendant lights? Hi. I am planning to take a fluorescent light down that is over my kitchen sink (it has 2 tubes in it) and wire in two pendant lights (that are separate). Each pendant light is 100 watts and they are on separate fixtures. Will the original wiring be able to handle the 200 watts? Do I need to add wire? Can I do this myself? Erin, You said I need more wiring and another box, does this mean that I only need the one wire though that goes to the fluorescent now. My brother may be doing this and his wife thought the 2 100 watt fixtures would overload the wire and blow a fuse, i.e. so it won't work. So one wire (that went to the fluorescent) - hang pendant light 100 watts - add a wire to this wire that will reach to the next pendant light 100 watt spot?
- ANSWER:
  yes but you will need more wire for the second light

Up Lighting Fixtures

2013-01-04T15:56:00.002+08:00

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
Where can I find 8ft blacklight bulbs to fit up in florescent lighting fixtures? We're opening a bar and almost done remodeling. I just need to find these bulbs to finish the look that I really want.
- ANSWER:
  Try Spencer's Gifts at the Mall. Also, try any lighting supply house. If they don't have them, they can order them. A new bar! Sweet! Just don't be your own best customer! Haha!
QUESTION:
How can I light up my room (lighting fixtures)? Okay, so my room has no ceiling light. I just have a few lamps and an open window to let in light. At night it's fine, having the room be a bit dim. BUT - During the day, it feels so gloomy! Having a dimly lit room and seeing out the window that it's a sunny day is just depressing feeling. I want my room to be fully lit. Without having an electrician come in to install a light in my ceiling, are there any lighting fixtures I can get on my own that will really do a good job of lighting up my room? Not just a lamp that lights up things within a few feet of it.
- ANSWER:
  You could add mirrors to your room. Having them close to the existings lights will relect the light around the room. They also make floor lamps that have an arch and have one or several lights on them.
QUESTION:
Can I hook up these light fixtures on my own or do i need an electrician? I already have a light fixture hooked up on the ceiling i just want to switch it out with the new one. There are a lot of wires and a ground wire. Do i need to hook the ground wire to both brackets on the fixture or will one be OK. I have never done this before so I dont know if i should just leave it to an electrician or do it myself since their already is one hooked up.
- ANSWER:
  if you feel confident you can do it,get a friend to help just hook up the light the same as what is existing one ground is sufficient...have a voltmeter handy test for power,after turning off circuit,don't work any circuit hot.
QUESTION:
i plan too hook up 4 light fixtures and 3 wall outlets on a 15 amp breaker. is this too much power? i plan too use 4 24 watt energy effecient bulbs in the light fixtures, and a tv, dvd and stereo. well considering the house i just bought is an old house, almost half of the house is run on a single 15 amp breaker. I am trying to fix the problem one room at a time. Now i am running into the problem of almost maxes out at 200 amps at the box.
- ANSWER:
  House wiring is a permanent thing and should be kept at a quality level, not just for present use but also for people using it in the future.They should be able to use it with confidence that safe and reliable standards have been met. ( pretty cool speech ) I would recommend 15 Amp with 14AWG for lights and 20 Amp with 12 AWG for outlets and I would not recommend cheapy outlets.
QUESTION:
Need to fix fluorescent kitchen lights- fixtures not lighting up completely. Any ideas? I bought new bulbs for my 2 kitchen lights thinking my bulbs were burned out but they're still not working right. I have a round fluorescent light fixture as well as a fixture that contains 6 very long lights. I turn the switch on & it turns on but very very faintly like it's not getting enough power or something. Is this something I can fix myself or should I call an electrician? I don't have too much experience with this stuff but do have a little bit of general knowledge. Any ideas anyone?
- ANSWER:
  You probably have an old fixture with a magnetic ballast driving T12 bulbs. T12 means 12/8ths of an inch, in other words 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Virtually all such fixtures, standard before about 1988, are driven by a magnetic ballast that lasts at least 25 years (often much longer) but is fairly inefficient and makes an annoying flicker. Bulbs driven by magnetic ballasts strobe at 60 times a second, the same speed as AC power. Your ballast, or the starter which is really a replaceable part of the ballast, is dying, and should be replaced. Switch to a fixture with T8 bulbs (one inch in diameter) driven by an electronic ballast, which will strobe at about 20,000 times a second. That will eliminate your flicker and give you better lighting and better efficiency (since a 4 foot T8 uses between 25 and 34 watts, rather than 40, per bulb, to put out the same amount of light.) A new shop light type fixture currently costs .50 at Home Depot, so it doesn't make sense to just replace the ballast alone and fiddle with the wiring. Since every T8 fixture is electronic, and strobes at that fast rate, all you have to do is look for a T8 fixture. If your current fixture is hard wired, you might have to have someone a little bit handy in to put in a terminal box to plug the new fixture in, or buy a hard wired fixture for about , but it's worth it. I assume you have one of those recessed box part-of-the-ceiling type kitchen arrangements, with a 'lens' (see through plastic sheeting) between you and the lights, so no one will ever see what kind of fixture you put up there. You don't need to get anything pretty. Once you've done that, I'd recommend getting full spectrum bulbs for your new long fixture - try lightforhealth.com. Unfortunately, as far as I know, you can't replace the round fixture with a similar electronic ballast type fixture. No one makes an electronic-ballast version of a Circline fixture. You might just have to live with that until it completely dies, or replace it with a compact fluorescent (which fits a regular light socket), wiring up a regular closet-type ceramic socket, but that would also require a little rewiring. No help for that. Or if you're willing to do the drywalling and painting required, you could put in a recessed can fixture, with a compact fluorescent in there. I'm hardly an electrician, but this isn't much of a challenge if you're willing to get into the wiring a little. You'll get instructions in any new fixture on how to wire it into your existing setup.
QUESTION:
Name of up down exterior light fixtures? what is the category name of wall mounted outside light fixtures where there are 2 lights - 1 shines up and the other down. it's a cylinder shaped fixture. i'm looking for 2 of these fixtures in a brushed nickel finish.
- ANSWER:
  They are just a type of exterior wall sconce.
QUESTION:
Just curious~Why in mobile homes do they not put light fixtures up...? In lots of mobile homes I've been in there isn't light fixtures in the livingroom or in some double wides no light fixtures in the bedroom...I've always wonder why...lol.....anyone know? I said "in lots" I didn't say ALL...because mine does just some that I've been in doesn't
- ANSWER:
  Some actually do have light fixtures, but not installing fixtures and the wiring cuts the costs of manufacturing them, they figure the poeple can just put lamps in the rooms.
QUESTION:
How do crickets get stuck up in the ceiling light fixtures? I have always wondered this as a child; I still don't understand how crickets would get into the ceiling... How do they get up there? I know they have wings but the fixtures are sealed closed!
- ANSWER:
  there is a small crack that you just don't see somewhere on the light.
QUESTION:
How can I fix up my bathroom lighting without replacing the fixture? I live in an apartment in which we cannot replace fixtures n' stuff. The lighting in my bathroom is hideous. It has a long metal panel on the wall above the mirror with three light bulbs screwed into it. CFL bulbs aren't exactly pretty to look at. Is there something I could get to kind of cover the thing up with? I think it's the silliest thing ever! Who want to be staring into three lightbulbs anyway?
- ANSWER:
  Seperate bulbs are a very common bath fixture. The simplist thing to do is put clear round bulbs in place of CFL - why would you even think of CFL in this application. It ain't the fixture - it's you.
QUESTION:
Why do some bathroom wall fixtures say "Wall mount only this side up"? The light fixture I bought is meant to hang with the lights hanging down, but I want to hang it with the lights up because it looks better that way. Does it say to hang it down because the 3 glass shades are too heavy to be pointing up? Should I just hang it up anyway instead of hanging down? The fixture looks similar to this one: http://www.lampsusa.com/productimages/Dolan/343-09_thumb.jpg
- ANSWER:
  Hi The Answer is No, Your name makes me think of my wife :) As far as your fixture goes I would be comfortable hanging it up. The heat will vent up better then down so that isn't an issue. The shades won't fall up. I would do it. Norm
QUESTION:
Could my light fixtures be heating up the room more? the light fixtures on my ceiling fan are opened at the end (not enclosed) . i use a hallogen bulb (the spiral kind). would this make it hotter than if i used a complete cover and/or bulb?
- ANSWER:
  It's the watts of the bulbs that tells you how much they are heating up your room. If you are using say 5 60W bulbs, that is 300 Watts, about 1/4 of the heat a portable electric heater gives off. If heat is an issue for you, consider changing your light style & go with compact fluourescents. They will look ugly if the fixtures are open on the ends where you can see them, so you need to get a style that the glass opens upwards, or is fully enclosed. And if you get a fully enclosed style, make sure the fluourescent bult is rated for an enclosed fixture.
QUESTION:
Cover up fluorescent light fixtures? I have fluorescent light fixtures (appx. 4'x6') in my kitchen and they are hideous. I'd like to install track lighting. What would be the easiest route to do so? How would I cover up the area where the fluorescent fixtures sit now so it'd be flush with the rest of the ceiling so that I can then install track lighting? The fixture isn't attached to the ceiling, it's recessed, so if I take everything out, I'll have a 4x6' hole in my ceiling. I'm wondering what steps could be taken to cover up this hole. Thanks.
- ANSWER:
  One simple approach is to hide the fixtures with translucent plastic panels. There are a variety of patterns available, and you could install these to be level with the rest of the ceiling (leaving the fixtures recessed in the box). A neat solution, and it maintains the efficiency of fluorescent lights -- which, with track lights, you will probably lose: most track light fixtures don't distribute CFL light effectively.
QUESTION:
Can light bulb fixtures heat up even if there is no bulb? to complete the current or even if the switch is turned off?
- ANSWER:
  Large florescent fixtures have a ballast that can still pass a current without a bulb installed. Miniature florescent fixtures have a bulb with a self contained ballast and should not pass a current without a bulb installed. An incandescent fixture should not have a current path without a bulb. A "curly bulb" fixture is an incandescent fixture with a miniature florescent fixture screwed into it and should not have a current path without a bulb. None should pass a current with the switch turned off.
QUESTION:
How to hook up a regular light fixture to a dimmer light switch? I am replacing a light fixture that appears to be once hooked up to a dimmer switch at one time.At the ceiling I have 3 black tied together, 1 black seperate,4 white tied together,and on green by itself,I would like to hook up a regular light fixture up to it having 2 wires the same,one has writing on it the other one doesn't,any help would be appreciated.
- ANSWER:
  Replace your ceiling fixture with a new one of your choice, connect the wires as the old one was connected, then mount the fixture. Next, remove the switch & replace it with the dimmer you want...there will be a third wire connected to the dimmer's metal frame, connect that to your ground leg in the switch box. The other two wires connect to the ones you removed from your old switch...put the switch back in the box, replace the cover & dim away. Be sure the dimmer is rated for the total wattage your new fixture will draw. Good luck...
QUESTION:
Bathroom is only set up for one wall lighting fixture. Ideas? Should light point up or down? How many light
- ANSWER:
  Just a thought to play with how about a track light that can go up the wall if that is where the electrical source is or if on ceiling a simple replacement to a funky track with multiple heads will allow you to increase the light in the room. I would also consider using your outlets if veasible with wall mounted lights and cords (not hardwired). Lampsplus is a good source. For great deals on fixtures try Ikea as well. Michele
QUESTION:
Aquarium build up on top of tank and light fixtures? what can I use to get rid of that white chalky/salty looking build up on the tank top. It doesnt come off with anything I have used and looks nasty, it also builds up to form like a crusty mess on the outside of the tank. The tank is freshwater, tropical fish.
- ANSWER:
  since a razor blade doesn't work on mine i have tried 2 things, recommended by others, and they both work like miracles you can put white vinegar on it and let it soak for about 10 min and then wipe it of with a damp cloth you can also use pure lemon juice, also let it soak for about 5-10 min and then wipe it off with a damp cloth That way nothing gets scratched But don't expect that it won't come back, it will, I usually clean my cover about once a month DON'T use any chemicals on it hope that helps Good luck EB
QUESTION:
How do I separate the switches for light fixtures? I have three switches which run as four way switches so they light up three light fixtures at once. I want to separate each of the three switches to each of the three light fixtures. How would I do that. I have some background info on wiring so plzz don't tell me to hire an electrician.
- ANSWER:
  If you know enough to do this job without an electrician, then you need not ask for instructions here.
QUESTION:
I have four light fixtures in livingroom hooked up to a diming light switch today i instaled 60 watt energy sa? Energy saving bulbs but the switch started doing a humimg noise
- ANSWER:
  lots of the energy saving lights hum, particularly CFLs. If the switch is what is making the humming sound, it may not like the lights, or they may be to strong and you will have to go with lower wattage.
QUESTION:
Where is a good place to get low voltage track lighting fixtures? I just moved into a house that has low voltage track lighting...or at least that's what the guy at Lowe's told me when I showed him one of the lights. I'd like to replace the light fixtures, but Lowe's doesn't carry them. Where is a good place to get these things? I'd like a modern look as opposed to the old can & bulb set up I have.
- ANSWER:
  Hi, You can get low voltage track lighting fixtures here http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=low%20voltage%20track%20lighting%20fixtures&tag=recommended0b-20&index=garden&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325 Hope this helps.
QUESTION:
How do I link 3 light fixtures to one wire/plug? I have 3 ceramic light fixtures I want to link so that when it is plugged in all 3 light fixtures will light up using only one wire. Is there any way to do this with lamp cord? if so how do I do it. :) I can't hire an electrician. It is for an indoor hydroponic grow box.
- ANSWER:
  Yes there is a way, in fact two ways. One way is to strip off the insulation on a small section of the Lamp cord. Connect the black wire from one of the three light fixtures to the black wire on Lamp cord. Connect the white wire to the white wire. Do this for all three lights. If you do not see a black and white wire then look at the male plug end. You will see a small prong and a larger prong. The small prong will or should be the black or hot wire.
QUESTION:
lighting fixtures and ceiling fan problems? My father had hooked up a new light and and a ceiling fan. whe the switch was in the off position the lights and fan came on, whe placed into the on position the lights went off, then the fuse popped. there are 2 switches that control both one in kitchen and one in the hall. unsure if the circuit they are on can handle the wattage they are producing or if there may be a short in the switch any help would be appreciated. When the lights came on and the both switches were in the off positioned it acted as a complete circuit but when the switch was placed in the on position the light went off, but at that time it popped the fuse. The switches on the control both lights at the same time. When both fixtures were lights it worked fine, but once one of the light fixtures turned into a fan/light combo its not working correctly. Im thinking either bad switches or the area cant handle the wattage but unsure since, the main concern is the lights come on when both switches are in off position
- ANSWER:
  It sounds to me like you have three way switches. So the normal on and off position does not apply. And it sounds like the fan / light may have been wired wrong. Or the circuit is over loaded when the fan comes on.
QUESTION:
Is there such a thing as retractable recessed lighting fixtures? I'm looking for a recessed lighting fixture that takes halogen bulbs... And, here's the thing. It's way up in a 25' ceiling. So, I'm not sure if this exists. But does anybody manufacture something that could lower the lighting can by motor and cable? Basically, I'd like to be able to flip a switch, have the cans lower to ground level (or at least reasonably closer to it!), and be able to change the bulbs, flip the switch, and send them back up. Any ideas?
- ANSWER:
  i dont there is such devices available
QUESTION:
What's the name of that lighting fixture that people use in museums or in homes to light up paintings? it's small and goes under the painting
- ANSWER:
  I do not know of any light that goes "under" a painting. With a few exceptions, like those lights designed to enhance a plant or accent a sculpture, most lighting is designed to shoot from the top down as this is natural and relates to the sun. There are a variety of picture frame lights or picture lights available. http://www.picturelightuniverse.com/picture-lights_455.html Museums and galleries often use track lighting and recessed lighting. http://www.picturelightuniverse.com/search/default.aspx?tid=123&term=track+lighting&x=17&y=10 http://www.picturelightuniverse.com/search/default.aspx?tid=123&term=recessed+lighting&x=18&y=11
QUESTION:
How do you hook up a deep cycle battery for lighting a small camper? I inherited a small camper. I know house wiring well. So if wire the camper with 12/2, can I use an inverter and therefore hook up regular AC 120V fixtures (fan and lights) and a plug (for a laptop, or microwave)?? Can the engine charge the deep cycle battery without draining the engine battery? The truck has a 7 prong plug in the bed. thank you
- ANSWER:
  Yes, you can hook up the inverter and use house wiring inside the camper. Better yet, buy 12 volt DC LED for lights and use the inverter for plug in applications only. Your battery will last longer. As far as charging, you need to install a Ford starter relay in the line connecting the front battery to the deep cycle and the trigger wire goes to the ignition switch. This means the batteries are connected only when the engine runs. That way, you don't run down your front battery when camping. If you do drain the deep cycle, you can still start the engine on the front battery and it will recharge the deep cycle as you drive down the road.
QUESTION:
Can anyone help with hooking up my light fixture? I am trying to hook up a light fixture, and the new one has the black wire, white wire, and the ground. But, for some reason the fixture that was there before required 2 blacks, 2 whites, and 2 grounds, so there are 6 wires coming out. I can get the light on, but I cannot turn it on and off, it just stays on. How do I know which of the six wires are the 3 to use to get it to work properly? Any ideas?
- ANSWER:
  Since there are many things I do not know yet, please allow me to make some assumptions. If my assumptions are not correct, do not follow my instructions. Call an electrician. 1. I assume you know at least a little about electricity since you have the bravery to replace a fixture. 2. I assume that this fixture is a ceiling fixture, or something very similar. 3. I assume that this fixture has a wall switch to be used for turning the light on and off. 4. I assume that you are able to pull all wires out of the outlet box far enough to be able to see which wires enter the box as one cable. With 2 blacks, 2 whites, and 2 grounds, you should have one cable that enters the box with one of each color, and the other cable, likewise having one of each color. 5. I am going to assume that since you have been able to get the light to come on, then you are able to determine which of the two black wires is hot all the time. This one black wire that is hot all the time is the source. The white wire that enters the box with the source black wire is the source neutral, and is to be connected to the white wire of your new fixture. The black wire that is hot all the time is not to be connected to the light, but to the white wire of the cable that goes to the switch. This white wire that goes to the switch is not a neutral wire, but is a switch wire. It may already have a piece of black tape around it, or perhaps some black paint, to identify it as a switch wire instead of a neutral wire. The black wire that is not hot all the time, and this white wire with black tape or paint applied are the two wires that go to the wall switch. Connect this black wire that is not hot all the time to the black wire of the light fixture. The two grounds are to be connected together, and bonded to the box if it is a metal box. Again, if the instructions that I have given are not describing your situation, please disregard, and call an electrician. Please turn off the power to this light at the main panel before doing any work. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck.
QUESTION:
What color goes with polished gold brass fixtures? Hello everyone, We are currently taking off alot of wallpaper in a new home we just purchased. We would like to replace the really large mirror and two polished gold light fixtures with two smaller mirrors and 2 more "up to date" light fixtures. All hardware in the house is the 1990's polished gold. I dont want to change out all hardware in the house, so what metal color goes with the gold brass? If possible I dont want to have to put gold fixtures up again. I read somewhere that your house fixtures should match with the same finish?
- ANSWER:
  I think you could get away with using the oiled bronze for light fixtures, cabinet knobs, etc. You do not say what color wood cabinets/bath vanities you have--maybe a white washed framed mirror or wood framed mirror as an alternative to the metal. Your attention would be drawn to the darker oiled bronze and the brass hinges on the doors, etc. would not be noticeable. If you have those "Hollywood makeup mirror lights", get rid of them--they are so dated.
QUESTION:
Is it okay not to use the black wire to hook up a light? I am replacing a ceiling fan with a light fixture. The problem is, coming out of the box I have a black, red, white and ground wire. I belive the extra wire has to do with the three way switch. When I hooked up the fixture and did not use the red wire, the lights were on, but the switch didnt work. Now Ive tried the red wire and left the black unhooked. The switch is fully functional. So the question remains, is it okay to just not use the black wire and to cap it off and shove it back up into the box?
- ANSWER:
  The black was just a consent feed left in the box for the fan and the red is switched for the light it is fine to leave in box just put a wirenut on it and tuck it in the box
QUESTION:
What's a good way to light up my apartment? I'm moving to an apartment where the only light fixtures are in the kitchen and bathrooms. I like for the room, that I am in, to be well lit. Besides lamps, with no shade on it and opening my blinds during the day, what's the best way light up the place? If you can, include portable fluorescent lighting.
- ANSWER:
  You don't want lamps with no shades nor do you want fluorescent which is harsh and hard on the eyes and skin. Buy table lamps that have three way bulb options. You can choose which level of light but you must have shades. Or do wall sconces. If you wish up lighting, pick a couple of torchieres with halogen bulbs. They are most like natural light and come with dimmer controls to adjust the light according to the mood and use. But even with torchieres you still need down lights for reading so both are recommended. Your room design and set up will determine how to use both styles of lamps in the room. Fluorescents are horrible even in an office and not used in homes because of their harshness. No one wants to create a harsh lighting atmosphere in their home no matter how bright you prefer it. Give yourself some options so you can create atmosphere when needed and good reading when necessary.
QUESTION:
Does anyone know of a moving company that will uninstall light fixtures,sink fixtures and cut up a carpet?
- ANSWER:
  No. They are there to pack and move, nothing else
QUESTION:
Only one fixture lights up in a series? I just finished wiring a series of flourescent lights- 4 fixtures in all. When I turned them on the first light in the series lit up but the other three did not. Checking with a tester I confirmed that there is indeed power to the rest of the fixtures. What gives? Any ideas before I call an electrician? Also the fixtures and the bulbs are all brand new- T8's Thanks for your help! sorry- the lights are wired in parallel not series
- ANSWER:
  Check all your connections starting at the the first fixture in the circuit. Chances you have a bad connection at the first fixture or the second fixture.
QUESTION:
Which low energy lighting fixtures to choose? The story is we employed an interior designer to come up with a low energy lighting idea for our new library/music room which is 24 sq metres. She showed us a picture of some lights and had us have the electrician hang 4 wires 1.5m apart for these lights (forming a square in the centre of the ceilling). When the wires were plastered in she admitted that her fittings took only halogen bulbs -which would have made 640 watts at least!!! We parted company with her at this point but now cannot work out what light fittings would look well and work well and obviously take a low energy bulb. We've seen some ball-shaped lights and wonder whether 4 of those would look OK. Whatever we decide on is going to cost around 800 Euro upward so I'd be grateful for any thoughts.
- ANSWER:
  Ask for CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) which will consume lesser energy in terms watts and also environmental friendly.
QUESTION:
How do you hook up your christmas lights to your porch light? I've been seeing lots of people in my apartments with their christmas lights hooked up to their porch light because they have no outlet outside. I even went to applebees and saw that they have their christmas lights inside hooked up to the light fixtures over the tables. How do you go about doing that? Is there some sort of adapter you get to hook it up to it?
- ANSWER:
  Hardware stores and depots have a 2 feature plug that replaces a light bulb, 1 side has another bulb outlet and the other a plug receptacle (about ) take out bulb, screw in adapter, plug in the light stringor extension cord, screw in bulb. The lights will be ON with the light bulb. As easy as changing a light bulb.
QUESTION:
Are there any specific ceiling fans with light fixtures that light up a room more than others? We just bought 2 identical fans with light fixtures to put on each end of our 24 x 10 foot kitchen. These light fixtures in the fans provide the only light. The light that the ceiling fans give off is so minimal that it feels like there is a night light on the room instead of a real light. Are there any fans with really bright lights out there? We have a Lowe's nearest to us, so that is probably where we would buy the fans from. We like the idea of having a dome to cover the lightbulbs so that we don't have to stare at light bulbs, but if we have to go with a different kind of light fixture, I'm open to it. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
- ANSWER:
  The fans I have in my den have 5 lights that have decorative globes that mostly hide the bulbs. However, they are exposed if you look directly into one of the globes, but do not look bad at all. I place 40 watt bulbs in each socket and they more than adequately light the room at full power.
QUESTION:
How do I hook up a light fixture? I have two wires coming out of the fixture, plus a ground wire. I want to wire it into a wall socket plug.
- ANSWER:
  call someone like a repairman
QUESTION:
Can I use Elmer's Glue to hang up my new lighting fixture? If I use a lot? Its a small lighting fixture so its not heavy at all and I can't afford a hot glue gun but I found a TON of Elmer's Glue in the cabinet downstairs. I really want to hang up the new lighting fixture I bought before my boyfriend comes home because it would really surprise him! Thanks for the help everyone! Its light in weight and I dont see how it would look bad? Trust me, I have a LOT of it- like 7 or 8 bottles!
- ANSWER:
  elmers glue is bacially for light art stuff, i would try to use a more stronger glue,ask a next door neighbor if you could borrow theirs.You don't want it to fall on your head and hurt you.
QUESTION:
I have a 13y/o step -daughter and we are fixing her up a room, paint light fixtures floor,etc.? The house is brand new so thats why it's not done yet. We are really short on cash flow and need to know different short cuts on decorating for less money. Can't do credit cards either, maxed out already.
- ANSWER:
  Almost all furniture/appliance/flooring stores stock remnants of carpet, vinyl etc... We bought a beautiful and new piece of carpet to redo our entire bedroom for . So there's an option to check into. I would take your teen with you when you're shopping around... If she is part of the decision making, she'll be happier and feel that the room is more "hers." As far as paint, check the mis-mixed paint at your local paint stores. You can find some great colors at half the price. Light fixtures can be picked up at thrift stores for pennies on the dollar - and there are some real cool ones if you spend the time to look around. Thrift stores are great all around for decorations. You're likely to find curtains, fabric, furniture, frames, pics etc etc etc! We bought an old canvas for , my daughter created her own wall art and stuck it in a thrift store frame that cost . Tons of options out there! Good luck and have fun.
QUESTION:
Installed Lithonia Lighting Wrap Lite fluorescent fixture and T8 bulbs are only partially lighting up, why? I had a cheap fluorescent light fixture in my closet. The (2) 4 ft bulbs were always very dull and appeared to only light up about half way, even when brand new. I replaced the light fixture with a new Lithonia Wrap Lite 4' fixture using T8 bulbs thinking the ballast was defective on the old fixture. Even with the new fixture I have the same problem. New bulbs in new light fixture were nice and bright for about 10 seconds and then started flickering and now they are dull, just like the old fixture. Any ideas on what's going on here?
- ANSWER:
  Make sure the fixture is grounded. Some ballasts need to be grounded to operate properly. If that doesn't work you need a volt meter to insure you have 120v to the fixture.
QUESTION:
Are spotlight light fixtures as effective at providing general room lighting as standard incandescent fixtures? Hello, I have my sight set on buying a ceiling fan with lights (it is the Westinghouse Apollo Elite Plus found here: http://www.astra247.com/1705/Cooling-Air-Conditioning-and-/Westinghouse-Apollo-Elite-Plus-Ceiling-Fan-and-Light/52-Brushed-Aluminium/ ). I have no experience with the GU10 bulbs that the fixture uses other than as down lights. Can anyone tell me how effective they are at lighting up a room. Do the spotlights cause stark shadows and have narrow beams? Do they leave the ceiling looking dark? Any advice would be appreciated.
- ANSWER:
  The bulbs that are in the ceiling fan appear to be a kind of spot light and I believe that they will cause harsh light and heat up your room. Find a fan that will accept the new twisty fluorescent bulbs. I have ceiling fans in every room of my house. The twisty fluorescent bulbs do not cause erie shadows.
QUESTION:
How bad is it to hook up a light fixture and forget to hook up the ground wire?
- ANSWER:
  I agree with Micheal N. I'm a veteran electrician so I've been around plenty of ungrounded fixtures and devices. We have a national electric code that is a compilation of rules resulting from people dying.....for the most part. The reason that your fixture has a ground is because it's metal. If it was plastic, it wouldn't have had a ground. Where were you going to hook up the ground anyway? Did you even have a bare ground wire in the electrical box? Depending on the age of your house, there is a good possibility that you don't even have grounds and that you are on a two wire system already. The purpose of the ground wire in that fixture is so that if the hot wire shorts out to the metal fixture, it will trip the circuit ensuring that anyone who touches it not be shocked. However, if it's not grounded and the hot wire does short to the metal fiture then the fixture becomes hot or energized. If that happens, just make sure that you don't touch the fixture and the nearest ground......which I'm sure will be well out of your reach!!!!! As for one of the commments about taking the fixture down and hooking up the ground, yea you could have done that just as quick as it took to post this and read all of the replies unless it's 14 feet up in the air and if that's the case, who cares if it's not grounded, nobody is gonna touch it way up there!! But honestly, grounding is a life safety precaution that is a fairly new concept but is always recommended. Absolutely nothing can go wrong if you hook it up. Most likely you'll be fine if it's not hooked up. Which one are you more comfortable with, absolutely or most likely. They did start making grounded aparatus for a reason......
QUESTION:
Scale of lighting fixture size to that of building? My mom is looking for lighting to put up around and in her barn that was just restored. Does anyone have any information on a scale that would show for what size of building you'd need what size of lighting fixtures?
- ANSWER:
  No such scale exists. You have to define the objective of the lighting; is it architectural (i.e. for design effects only), functional (provide lighting for functional purpose), for security (light up the dark areas so bad guys don't have a place to hide)? Once you define the purpose of the lighting that will guide you in the choice of lighting. Most any lighting store worthy of the name can help you, but that is the first question they will ask.
QUESTION:
Can you use single tube lighting for a thriving planted aquarium? I am trying to set up a planted aquarium and I looked online at the plants I wanted and I saw that they needed moderate lighting. The tank will be 20 gallons and the plants will be wisteria, amazon sword, cabomba, hornwort, anibus nana, and some type of grass plant. Can these plants survive in a single lighting fixture. DOES INCREASING THE KELVIN MAKE UP FOR LIGHTING.
- ANSWER:
  You might be able to get away with it since most of the plants you listed aren't very demanding. The grass plant should be the lone exception. Depending on what species it is, it will either just stay alive and not grow much if at all, or die. Higher kelvin ratings doesn't really do anything other than make the light more bluish. Kelvin just measure the color of the light.
QUESTION:
how do you wire up a light fixture to light switch and then to a receptacle plug power at light fixture?
- ANSWER:
  Where does the power come it? To the switch or the fixture? Do you want the receptacle switched or hot all the time? Maybe an electrician would be a good idea?
QUESTION:
Overhead lighting in a townhome complex? I've moved a second time in the same townhome complex. I have foudn there is only one overhead lighting fixture in the place that is in the dining area. So how should I light up the place without adding too many lamps or installing things in the wall/ceiling?
- ANSWER:
  You could change the fixture. Get a fixture that has multiple lights, like a chandelier. Or get brighter light bulbs
QUESTION:
light fixture has white, black, and green my old fixture only has black and white how should i hook it up? my old fixture has only black and white nothing else. there are no ground wires anywhere near there in the attic. how should i hook the new fixture up? i tried white and black and i got nothing. there is no where for the green wire to be grounded; the old fixture had no ground but it worked fine. none of the light fixtures in the house have the green wires they are all old and they all work. how can i get the fixture to work without running more wires?
- ANSWER:
  Green is the ground wire and apparently you have an ungrounded system. If the box that the feed wires come in to is metal, then attach the green wire from the fixture to the metal box with a screw. If it is plastic, then just cap the green wire and tuck it into the box. Then the blacks go together and the whites go together and you should be back to normal. Just know that you DO have an ungrounded system and at some point you should have an electrician look at it and make suggestions. In the interim you will be fine. There are still many many ungrounded systems out there that operate just fine, but the protection the ground wire gives you IS missing. You can google for more information about ungrounded systems for general information. Al
QUESTION:
Flattering make-up in florescent lighting? Hey! I have a question pertaining to make-up: I am a high-school student, and all of the class rooms at my school are equipped with florescent light fixtures. I was just wondering if anyone knew a few tricks to applying make-up that will still look good under the harsh light, without being too high maintenance ( I don't wear loads of make-up.) Thanks in advance!
- ANSWER:
  I gave someone looking for a foundation that is good for taking pictures, but it applies to you too. I'm just too lazy to write it all again: I think the thing you're looking for is Revlon PhotoReady product line. Find a foundation that you like (they have your regular liquid stuff in a pump tube, as well as their new screen liquid foundation. It's cool. Check it out) and then put their powder on top. Then, finish with the translucent finishing powder (this is key). This line is actually advertised as being beautiful in all kinds of light, and is especially good for taking pictures. One thing with photography though, is that the flash tends to make anyone look over exposed, especially when the picture is taken up close. So, maybe buy a foundation that you can wear all the time, but have a powder that is slightly darker for your skin tone that you can apply moderately or liberally to get the desired result. Don't forget about the translucent finishing powder though :) It really makes all the difference.
QUESTION:
What is the ring you screw on an electronic ballast to hold up the light fixture on hanging ceiling lamps? I'm so confused, please help!!! http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x114/mmmkells/P7251382.jpg http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x114/mmmkells/P7251383.jpg
- ANSWER:
  That should be called a "Ring Nut" I would think.
QUESTION:
what happens if I down mount and up mount only light fixture? I have a light that won't fit if I use the existing bracket. Is it bad to mount the fixture downwards instead?
- ANSWER:
  If you mount it outside then the fixture may no longer be rain proof; it depends on the design. Interior applications should make no difference; I have had to do that for a wall sconce on an interior staircase and the larger bulbs no longer fit properly into the fixture, so I changed to a smaller lower watt bulb.
QUESTION:
Light fixture from Lights of America 7000e will light up a 4500k bulb but will not light up a 6500k bulb why? Everything is brand new. The bulb size and wattage are the same F15T8, one is 4500k in temp and the other is 6500k in temp.
- ANSWER:
  The color temperature has nothing to do with the electrical operation of the bulb. The color temperature is determined by the chemicals coating the glass. As long as the wattage and plug configuration are the same in both bulbs, it sounds like the 6500k is a bad bulb. (It's easy these days to buy a bulb that "looks like the same bulb" but isn't. The plug part, where it goes into the socket can be slightly different, check carefully.)
QUESTION:
How to light up a room without Lights? When we encounter an area of our house that is always "too dark," often our first inclination is to add another lamp or light fixture. Using common materials and items found around your home, demonstrate an alternative strategy for bringing light to a darkened area of your home without adding or subtracting the number of lamps or light fixtures. Alternatively, present an innovative method for dimming ambient light. Example: How can I make the dark corner of my room brighter, without adding more electric lights?
- ANSWER:
  A classy solution is basically to use waveguides which have total internal reflection for visible light. They should be placed near the light-source at an appropriate angle and extend to the dark area you are looking to light. The light that falls upon the waveguide from your source will travel through all the way to its end and be emitted there, lighting up even the darkest parts of your room! That's SCIENCE!
QUESTION:
What's the cheapest way to set up artificial daylight fixtures in my apartment? I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder so I need as much extra full-spectrum lighting as I can reasonably afford on a student budget.
- ANSWER:
  you can get daylight CFL. they now come in all kinds of forms. I just got a daylight CFL a replacement for the 300watts mercury Floodlight 3weeks ago. there are also daylight flourescent bulbs available in DIY shops. heyyy do 1 thing visit your DIY shop and scout for the lighting fixture you wanted.

How To Install A Ceiling Light Fixture

2012-11-07T14:10:00.000+08:00

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION: How to install ceiling light fixture? There are 6 wires coming down from the ceiling: 3 white, 3 black, no ground anywhere in sight. The light fixture has 2 whites and 2 black and a ground. How do I wire this up?
- ANSWER: all black go in black and all white go in white and green or empty wire go in metal ground you do not need ground
QUESTION: How do I install a ceiling light fixture if there isn't one there already? In my living room, there are 2 recessed lighting fixtures to iluminate my fireplace area. The room is kinda dark, even with a floor lamp. I want to install a ceiling light fixture in the center of the room. How do I run electrical to it?
- ANSWER: Answer #1 is mostly right, but if there is space above the room you are in business. find the studs by an hot out let, and at the celling near the wall drill a very small hole in the celling between the studs with a long bit, leave the bit in the hole or a piece of wire, get in the space above the room and move over 2" over and above the wall and drill a hole through the plate and drop a 3-14 wire down in the wall make a switch box hole above the outlet, take the outlet out "have the electric off" hook into the outlet with the wire now going to the new switch, your wire will be running across the celling to where you want the light, and make sure that the light fixture box is put on the Joyce. if you can do this you will then have bragging rights to all your friends.
QUESTION: How to install a ceiling light fixture? In the ceiling there are five wires: 7 green wires capped together 5 orange wires capped together 3 black wires capped together 5 white wires capped together Another set of white wires, 3 capped together The lamp is a basic pendant, with a black, white and green. Which wires do I attach these to? Thanks, Brent
- ANSWER: You have to figure which wire is the switch leg from the switch. It's either the black or orange. If it's a 120v circuit, my guess is the orange. Make sure the power is off at the breaker before you open any of those splices especially the whites! That's a lot of wires for one box. Once you find the switch leg, the rest is white to white and green to green.
QUESTION: How do you install pull chain switch into a ceiling light fixture? We have 3 ceiling fixtures in our kitchen (2 ceiling fans & 1 light fixture). We are trying to install a pull chain switch in 1 above the sink where you can turn it off & on with chain & the other 2 can stay on to keep the fans running. We have a white & black wire coming out of ceiling & 2 white wires & 2 black wires on the light fixture itself & now that we added the pull chain switch, we have 2 black wires coming from it. How do we connect these all together to make this work right? We tried once & it appears we did something wrong because the lights are very dim & just don't look like they should for their wattage. Please help!
- ANSWER: I always hate diagnosing things long distance because things are not always as they are described. My guess would be tie the two whites together at the fixture and connect them to the white in the ceiling white generally signifies the neutral leg. Then tie the two black legs on the fixture together and to one side of the pull chain switch the other black leg on the pullchain switch hooks to the black wire in the ceiling. This adresses the hot leg. Two things I dont know why the fixture has 2 whites and 2 blacks unless it has 2 sockets, if so this should work. Finally and hopefully there should be a bare copper wire in the ceiling which is a grounding wire and a green or bare wire on the fixture which should be tied together. If this doesnt help call an electrician like I said its hard to diagnose things long distance. Always turn off the power before attempting any electrical repair.
QUESTION: How do I install a ceiling lighting fixture? I've never wired before, but I'm good at following instruction/direction. I need a small ceiling fixture in my pantry. The nearest outlet is about 5 feet down on the wall. I'd like to install either a recessed light fixture or even a single spot. If there's a website for this, can you direct me?
- ANSWER: I would implore you to call a electrician. There are numerous nuances in a simple job(for a electrician)that a layman would not be able to identify and take care of. Wire stapling distance,penetration of walls and headers,installation of the new fixture box according to weight, and the proper termination of the switch leg,neutral,ground,and hot. Not to mention the wall damage that you might incure opening it up without the experience of knowing which way to route the wire. Do yourself a favor and call a pro.
QUESTION: How much would it be to install a brand new light fixture into the ceiling where one does not currently exist? Just an approximate amount. We moved our dining table into the sunroom and would like to install a new light fixture in the center of the ceiling and would like to know how much and what the project would entail. Thanks! no access from the attic =( yeah i am guessing it will be 0+ since they will have to take some of the drywall and ceiling out and replace it.
- ANSWER: Do you have access to the ceiling from above, such as an attic? If so, piece of cake. Figure 1-1/2 hours labor plus materials. I'd guess 0-125, depending on where you live. If there is no access, you are looking at a lot more. Have a local electrician give you an estimate, as there is no way to tell what obstacles there will be from here. Hope this helps.
QUESTION: How much to have an electrician install a new light fixture? My condo is open concept, the majority of the space being the "great room" in the center of this room is the sole light fixture, a large ceiling fan located above our living room area. To one side of the room is our dining area and there are no over head light fixtures.. I need a ball park estimate of how much it would cost to install a ceiling fixture so when I get estimates I know a little about what I'm talking about. Thanks
- ANSWER: There is no way for a competent electrician to tell on the internet how much it should cost. However, I would find a licensed, bonded, insured electrical service company that would: A) Come to your Condo at no charge and..... B) .give you an upfront quote for the job you want done. Don't pay for an 'estimate'. Don't ACCEPT an 'estimate'. If they can't QUOTE you a price, upfront, without being paid to do that then move on. A pro can tell you what it will cost total, upfront. That way there are no surprises. Also, look for a company that background checks their electricians. These guys are going to be in your home with you alone and have access to all your possessions, make sure that's not going to go bad...... There is a company here in town called Mr. Electric of Tucson that does all that. I'm sure there are more too. There are Mr. Electrics all over the US and Canada. They send background checked pros and give free quotes. There might be other too but these guys are the only ones I know in Tucson, AZ that do that. If your in Tucson they can be reached at (520) 795-5940. Google 'Mr. Electric' other places to see if there is one by you. Hope this helped.......stay safe.
QUESTION: how to install a ceiling fan with existing 3 bulb light fixture? I have a ceiling light now with 3 bulbs. How can I take it down and safely put up a ceiling fan with lights?
- ANSWER: Jim S. got it right and Acres 12 is probably kicking himself for not mentioning the need to test the existing box. If in doubt about the ability of the existing box to permanently support the weight of the fan, call a professional to do the work and put the liability on them. Money well spent. Good luck.
QUESTION: How do I install a ceiling fixture where there's no existing fixture? My home has light switches installed in the bedrooms, but no light fixtures. How would I go about finding the wires in the ceiling? Once I do, is there anything I should know? Everything that I see online pertains to replacing fixtures which I've done before but nothing about starting from scratch.
- ANSWER: The switches probably go to outlets for lamps. You would need to run power into the attic, it could be complicated and you may well need an electrician, unless you want to research it all well enough to know what you are doing so you don't burn down the house. It seems that you could rewire the switched outlets in circuit with the other outlets and run new wire from the switch up through the wall into the attic and over to the spot you want your fixture, put in cross bracing on the wood running across and install a box through the ceiling that you can run your wires through and then hook up the fixture. Kind of advanced if you don't really know what you are doing. Good luck
QUESTION: How do I install a ceiling light fixture using an existing hole when the hole is too big? I tried to use the existing electrical box, but one of the mounting screw holes is stripped and the box is barely able to stay in place because the original work was done very sloppily and the hole is too big. Even if I can get around the stripped threads on the screw hole, I'm afraid to hang anything from the box for fear there is not enough edge surface attached to the drywall, and therefore will not be able to handle any weight, let alone the weight of a metal-framed, small chandelier. The existing box is white and uses a U-shaped, metal brace on the inside of the wall which the box attaches to using two slotted screws. I tried to use an "old work" box from Home Depot that uses three "ears" or flaps that rotate into place when turning the screws, and act like little vices that squeeze the drywall between the flaps and the outer flange. That didn't work because the hole is the same diameter and the outer edge of the boxes flange, so the whole box went right through the hole!
- ANSWER: First remove the old box! It is not designed to hold up the weight of a ceiling fan. Go to Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace, where ever and get a Raco 1-1/2" Ceiling Fan/Heavy Fixture Installation Brace and Box Item #: 73178 Model: 935 .98 or something similar. You can print the listing below for reference. This is designed to do what you want. If the ceiling fan does not cover the existing hole you can patch it, or as suggested earlier use a ceiling medallion. Good luck!
QUESTION: How do I install a ceiling light fixture using an existing hole, but the hole is too big? I tried to use the existing electrical box, but one of the mounting screw holes is stripped and the box is barely able to stay in place because the original work was done very sloppily and the hole is too big. Even if I can get around the stripped threads on the screw hole, I'm afraid to hang anything from the box for fear there is not enough edge surface attached to the drywall, and therefore will not be able to handle any weight, let alone the weight of a metal-framed, small chandelier. The existing box is white and uses a U-shaped, metal brace on the inside of the wall which the box attaches to using two slotted screws. I tried to use an "old work" box from Home Depot that uses three "ears" or flaps that rotate into place when turning the screws, and act like little vices that squeeze the drywall between the flaps and the outer flange. That didn't work because the hole is the same diameter and the outer edge of the boxes flange, so the whole box went right through the hole!
- ANSWER: put in a bar mount box. the bar go to side by side on the stud trighten up then put your box in it willwork then they uses this for fan in the ceiling.
QUESTION: How do I install a new light fixture where there was not one before? The room I want to add the fixture to already has a light in the room, its a light/ceiling fan, I want to keep that, and then about 6 feet away install a new fixture to go over my desk. I Googled 'how to install light fixtures' and all I got were videos assuming you knew where the cable was coming from and the hole was already made. Not really what I'm looking for, any ideas how to get this started? btw, I am definitely an amateur when it comes to this stuff :)
- ANSWER: If you are not sure what to do, for safety sake get an electrician.
QUESTION: Lighting question, no light fixture, need to install only two wires sticking out of ceiling. How do I install Have an old craftsman home, garden has no lights, nor any light fixture there are only two wires coming out of the ceiling witch are conrtrolled by an on and off switch. How do I go about installing lights? I do believe none of the two wires are for grounding(neutral, not sure).
- ANSWER: With your new light connect the white wires together, the other 2 wires may be different colors but it should be ok as long as neither of them is green...The green wire from your new light can be connected to the box the wires are coming out of(if there is one).
QUESTION: How do you locate the wires/cables in the ceiling for installing a light fixture? How do you locate the wires/cables necessary for installing a light fixture without cutting into the ceiling to begin with? sorry i didn't give any details I am talking about an apartment room. No there is no existing light fixture, just plain ceiling, hence crappy lighting. Other rooms have ceiling light fixture.
- ANSWER: It isn't likely that there is a wire there that you could use. A dedicated wire must be run from a switch (where the power usually originates) to the location for the light in the ceiling. If there isn't an existing light there, wires would have to be run through the wall. Probably not something you want to pay for in an apartment.
QUESTION: How do I install and wire a new light fixture if I'm starting with a blank ceiling? My wife wants a light fixture in where there is not anything old to run off of. How do I run the wire and install the fixture, as well as how do I wire in a new switch?
- ANSWER: Call an electrician. It most places its illegal to do your own electric work without a license and permit. Or, figure out where you want it. Find the studs, Cut a hole for the switch and one for the fixture. Run a wire from the electric box to the hole you made for the switch, run a wire from that hole to the fixture. You need to make sure you run the wire parallel to the studs if you have drywall up. This will save you from having to drill holes through the studs.
QUESTION: How can I install wiring that was for a light fixture to a ceiling fan? I am trying to install a ceiling fan in where a light fixture was. I also want to install a dimmer. The wiring that was for the light was connected to a switch and when I took down the light there are three sets of wires (three black, three white and three ground). The white wires and black wires were connected to each other and then to the light wires. I installed. I have another ceiling fan in my bedroom and that has 4 wires (black, white, ground and red. Can I connect to the old wiring or do I need to try and run a new line and how would I connect it to a switch so it has power? I am trying to install a control switch that controls the lights and fan. Let me explain. I DID NOT INSTALL THE LIGHT FIXTURE. (I can't edit my detail section) I installed a ceiling fan in another bedroom and ran new wiring and connected to another switch for power. I do not have attic access to run new wiring as I did with the other ceiling fan.
- ANSWER: You can install the fan where the light is and use the current wire, but you will not be able to do anything but turn the entire set-up (fan & light) on or off. In order for it to work the way you want, you will need the additional wires. Without access to the attic, you are not going to be able to run the wire you need to get this to work properly. Your best bet is to buy a fan that has the remote control with it. You may be able to purchase the remote separately and use them on an existing fan.... I've never tried to purchase just the remote, but it may be available.
QUESTION: How do I install a new light fixture? I need to installing a new ceiling light in the living room. There is an existing single switch on the wall that operates some track lighting in the kitchen. Can I convert this into a double switch and have the other switch operate the ceiling light? If so, what tools do I need to do the whole operation? What kind of romex wire do I need? I tried searching online but the tutorials weren't that good and I couldn't find anything about the double switch.
- ANSWER: You should have your living room switch in that room not the kitchen( not sure but code may require it) so if they are shared walls why not cut out for a single switch on the opposite side of the kitchen switch they make different retrofit boxes for your application
QUESTION: How to rotate a ceiling mounted light fixture? I have a star light fixture and would like to install it to the ceiling so it rotates continually...I'm sure there is an item somewhere that will allow me to do that...any help would be appreciated.
- ANSWER: yeah go to lowes and tell them you need parts for a ceiling fan like the adjuster timer and basically everything but the blades and you can hook it up like that
QUESTION: Halogen ceiling light professional install - how much would it cost? I would like to get rid of my light fixture in one of my rooms, and replace it with 5-10 halogen lights in the ceiling, how much would it cost to get this done professionally? I wouldn't mind trying to install it but I Wouldnt' have a clue about how to connect the lights up to the electrics in the house! thanks all
- ANSWER: I offer this caution to halogen lighting: Halogens typically operate in much the same fashion as regular incandescent bults, using electricity to heat a small filament to white heat. Consequently, there is much ELECTRICAL ENERGY WASTED PRODUCING UNWANTED HEAT -- and some fire risk. Additionally, the special halogen bulbs tend to be rather expensive to replace and don't have that much longer life than regular incandescents. I've opted to go with fluorescent that tend to be much more energy efficient, and the compact screw-in-ones have come down considerable in price (in the .5 to .5 each, range); and they typically last many times longer than incandescent bulbs. I concede that halogen fixtures can be much more manageable for aesthetics, but you end up paying for them for a long time because of their inherent inefficiencies. (Steps off soapbox.)
QUESTION: Help installing a ceiling light fixture? I have three cables coming from my ceiling. Inside each is what appears to be a Live (red) wire, a neutral (black) wire and an earth (yellow/green) wire. However one of the black wires has red tubing around it. The light fixture I am trying to attach it to has spaces for one live, one neutral and one earth wire. There are two wall switches that operate the light. I have tried to attach just one set of wires to the fixture, taping up the remaining six from the other two cables. Unfortunately this seems to have knocked all the lights in my flat out. I would appreciate any advice on how the fixture should be wired correctly, or should I just send for an electrician? Update: Thanks for all the useful advice. I have now managed to properly install the fitting. For anyone who has a similar setup I needed to join and tape the three red wires together. Locate the live black wire (turned out to be the one with the red tubing) and attach it to the brown. Join the remaining two black wires and attach them to the blue. Join the three earth wires and attach them to the earth. Dont forget to turn off at the mains before attempting any of this. Phil
- ANSWER: Bite the bullet and get an electrican. you have shorted all your other lights.You should have all the live wires coming down together,all the earths together and all the neutrals together on one side of your connection block and then the wires from your light on the other. but it'll be hard enough to try get all them into the one block so best get a professional!!
QUESTION: How do I install a ceiling light in a room where there are no holes in the ceiling for one to go? I would like to install a fixture box and fish the wire from a wall switch so the light would be controlled by the switch. There are three rooms that I would like to do this to with an unfinished attic above. Does anyone know of the best/safest way to complete this task? Also, would I need to use conduit in order to be up to code?
- ANSWER: Sorry, I'm confused. What does the wall switch currently control? In the long run, it might be easier to run a whole new line (circuit) and put the lights on switch on the new circuit. That way you won't be in danger of overloading the existing circuit with the new lights. Only so much electricity can go through a circuit before it trips or burns down the house.
QUESTION: Can a ceiling fan light kit be installed WITHOUT a fan? i.e. directly to the ceiling? I have found a great light fixture, but it is meant to be installed as a light kit on a ceiling fan, not as a stand-alone ceiling fixture. Can I install it alone, without a fan, directly to the ceiling? How do I know which wires to cap/ignore and which to use? Wiring is old but okay, circa 1929, plain fixture (no fan) was in place previously. The wires I'm wondering about capping/ignoring are those on the new light -- it seems there are extra for connecting to the nonexistent fan.
- ANSWER: The biggest difficulty will be determining how to properly mount the fan ceiling light kit to a regular ceiling light fixture box. The hole spacing is usually totally different on these two items. You may need to buy a threaded tube that will go through the cneter of the fan light and that tube can then be screwed into a metal strap that goes across the existing ceiling box. The strap has holes in it for two screws and a hole inthe middle for the threaded tube. You will need to be imaginative about getting the parts together.
QUESTION: How difficult is it to install a switch and ceiling electrical box for a light fixture?
- ANSWER: you will have to cut in a wall switch box in the wall that you want it in than go up into the attic and drill a hole tho the top plate right above the switch box and run the wire to the ceiling box to where you want to install it
QUESTION: how to install a light fixture? I have a 3-wire light fixture to install on a ceiling. The 3 colours are white, black, and copper ground. On the wall outlet box, there are also 3 wires: black, white and blue. I attach the wires (black-black), white-white, copper, blue. everything works fine when the circuit breaker is flipped on (the light switch was left on). When I go to turn off the light, the circuit breaker trips and the ground wire becomes scorching hot. What is happening?
- ANSWER: sounds like you may have a three way switch in the wall. when you flip it up it makes the black hot, when you flip it down it makes the blue hot. cap off the blue wire with a wire nut and attach the bare ground from the junction box if the box is metal. if its plastic and you can't find a ground wire coming into the box to connect to then just roll it up in the box because it's not going to do any good connected to a plastic box. if you want to test it you can connect the black wire coming from the light to the blue wire in the box. if the light comes on when the switch is down the you have a three way switch. another way you can do it is take the switch out of the box and take loose the blue wire that is connected to the bare ground up in the light box and connect it to a ground in the switch box.
QUESTION: how to replace a pull string light fixture with a regular non pull string light fixture? in my bedroom i only have a pull string ceiling light fixture and no wall switch. is there a way to install a regular ceiling light fixture without having a wall switch? thanks.
- ANSWER: As an electrician I hate to let out this information LOL There are wireless switches that are easy to install, you can use them to control just about anything. http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/pro17.pl?ref=lightningonlineorder1867&rdf=go http://www.x10.com/products4/google/auto_5room_ps_nox.html
QUESTION: How much to install ceiling fixtures? We live in a 1 and half story home and all of our rooms on the main floor have wall lights. We would like ceiling fans installed and wall lights removed. The area up above these rooms, is unfinished, no finished floor or anything. There is one outlet and light switch upstairs if that helps (as far as determining where wiring would have to be run from). How much on average do you think it would cost to install each fixture? Sorry I should have asked, how much it will cost to have an electrician or handyman to install one.
- ANSWER: Hi I did it for one room - it cost me around 0 (Canada). The cost for several rooms will be better I think, but it will depend on the wiring effort. Max http://www.felicity-art.com
QUESTION: How do I replace a Ceiling Fan with a Light Fixture? We removed the old ceiling fan some time ago and it's long gone. I've tried to install a new light fixture to no avail. I can get the light to just stay on but it won't switch off. Coming out of the ceiling are 3 black wires, 3 white and 1 red. Yep, you read that correctly. I have capped off the red and that doesn't seem to effect so I'm going to keep it that way unless instructed otherwise. Please help! Thanks
- ANSWER: Check the answer from EagleWatcher first. Good chance he is right, given the description (give him 10 if he is). If he has guessed it wrong, I'll give you a second possibility.... At the light fixture, All blacks connect together, All whites connect together with a pigtail connected to the fixture white wire(s), and the red connects to the fixture's black wire(s). This can be confirmed by checking out the wiring on the switch. The switch will be a single-pole (only has two terminals, excluding the ground). It will have a red on one terminal and a black on the other (may have a black stabbed in the back and another around the screw terminal.). If we both got it wrong, please update the question or email directly.
QUESTION: how to install a flushmount light fixture.? I allready have lightbulbs in the ceiling with light coming out of them and everything but there is no fixture over it. It is so bright so i found one at lowes that is a flushmount I want to know how to install it.please
- ANSWER: turn off the breaker to it so there is no power running to the cicuit take down old fixture there will be two or three wires 1 black 1 white 1 green connected with wire nuts unscrew these reattach wires from new fixure make sure you have good connections remount fixture turn on power if unsure of yourself call electrition
QUESTION: Should I pull power from an outlet or switch to install a light in the ceiling? I live in a house where none of the rooms have light fixtures in the ceilings, all of our rooms have to lamps plugged in to the wall outlet and 1 of those outlets is controlled by the light switch. I would like to change this so that when I turn on the switch I can turn on a light fixture in the ceiling, pretty much to update my house. Should I or can I get power from an outlet or wall switch and how can I do this? Any picture diagrams would help me tremendously!!
- ANSWER: The work can be done from the switch, if the hot and neutral of the circuit is going to the switch first, then the neutrals will be wirenutted together and the hot will go thru the switch to the wall outlet, a romex from the switch to the new ceiling box can be ran for the new light fixture. If the switch is getting the hot from the wall outlet then the wires going to the switch will not be able to complete the circuit, cause only the hot is being switched at the switch; hot in and load out to the wall outlet. Then you would need to run your new romex from the wall outlet and use the neutral there to complete the circuit. You said that one of those is switched on your outlet, so it sounds like half of your wall outlet is switched and half is hot all the time. In this case it sounds like the wall outlet is feeding the switch so you should run your circuit from the wall outlet and use the switched side of the wall outlet for your circuit to the new ceiling fixture. In either case a licensed and certified electrician should be seriously considered for the work.
QUESTION: How to install ceiling light off-center? Hi! I have a pendant light that I want to hang over my kitchen sink - the electrical box that is there is slightly off center - there is a beam in the ceiling in the center, so the box could only be installed there (about two inches off-center). Is there any way for me to mount this fixture to the ceiling and have it slightly off-centered? With the cover being so close to the center, hanging the cord over a hook wouldn't look all that great - there isn't enough room for a swag. I had thought of purchasing a ceiling medallion, and installing the fixture directly to the beam in the ceiling, with the medallion only covering a portion of the electrical box - is this something that can be done? Any help or ideas would be appreciated - I really want to have this light hanging centered over my sink... Matthew Hi! I have a pendant light that I want to hang over my kitchen sink - the electrical box that is there is slightly off center - there is a beam in the ceiling in the center, so the box could only be installed there (about two inches off-center). I'd put a new box in the center, but the beam is in the way Is there any way for me to mount this fixture to the ceiling and have it slightly off-centered? With the cover being so close to the center, hanging the cord over a hook wouldn't look all that great - there isn't enough room for a swag. I had thought of purchasing a ceiling medallion, and installing the fixture directly to the beam in the ceiling, with the medallion only covering a portion of the electrical box - is this something that can be done? Any help or ideas would be appreciated - I really want to have this light hanging centered over my sink... Matthew I am prevented from installing a new box in the ceiling directly in the center, as the beam is in the way.
- ANSWER: The box can be moved into the space you want. They make 1/2" deep boxes that can be mounted directly to the beam in the drywall and patched to look right, as if you planed it that way. The 1/2" boxes are most often used for exterior lights in the garage door area where the sheer panels limit size and location of boxes just like your beam is doing
QUESTION: how hard it is to install a ceiling fan, in place of a regular chandelier type light fixture? bickle maybe I shouldn't do this after all :( anyone wanna do mine? LOL
- ANSWER: Its really quite simple Warrior. All you have to do is be able to follow the written instructions and know how to use a screw driver and maybe a pair of pliers. I've installed several. Takes about half an hour. Good luck to you
QUESTION: How to install a ceiling fan where there is only a light fixture? I want to install a ceiling fan in my bedroom, and there is only a small light fixture there now. I'm not sure if the junction box that is there currently can support a ceiling fan. This room is on the first floor of a two story house, so "going up in the attic" is not an option here, and frankly I am not about to tear a hole in the ceiling either. What can I do about this? All of the necessary wiring is there, I just need to know if it's possible for a regular junction box to support a ceiling fan without falling down or if there is some alternative. Many thanks for a reply!
- ANSWER: Yes there is a fan braced junction box called Saf-T-Brace just go to a hardware store or home depot tell them you need a Fan mounting Brace Saf-T-Brace. it goes up in the same hole as your junction box, and it attaches to the studs on each side of the box it screws out and has teeth that grab the studs so you do not have to cut a bigger hole, or nail in to the studs and it will hold a heavy ceiling fan costs about 15 bucks.
QUESTION: How do I install my ceiling light with my uncommon condo wiring? I am trying to install a ceiling fixture and I see three wires: a yellow, a green, and a tan that is looped! I assume yellow is power, as it was the only one capped. The green is screwed to the junction box so I assume thats ground. But the loop is throwing me off! Here's a picture... http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikegee/2426751578/ Plus, the fixture has two bulbs which means there is two of every wire. Assuming I figure out which wire does what, should I just group the two fixture wires of each type together and attach them to the one in the ceiling?
- ANSWER: Buy a cheep tester and confirm what is power. The looped neutral may be that way because they pulled the wire through the box and never had a fixture hooked up there. If you cut the loop you will loose power to anything else down the line so make sure you have a flashlight handy. attach all black to power, all white to neutral and all green to ground.
QUESTION: how do I put in a new outdoor light fixture above my front door ? I have no front light in front of my house. I have a mud room at my front door with no access to the small attic area above it. there is a ceiling light in the mudroom though. i want to tap into that and somehow go through the vinyl siding and install a light fixture. how would I do that with the vinyl siding ?
- ANSWER: First, I would have ask, how you plan to tap the ceiling light? Is there power there or is it just a switch leg? As for installing a light in vinyl siding, they make a piece called a "J-Block" should be available at any home store the carries siding, you should also install a junction box for the wires, and for the fixture to mount to, this reqired by code. If there is not permanant power in the ceiling fixture the outside light will have to be operated by the same switch as the ceiling light, if there is power, you can install a switch below in outside light, if there is wall space below. Good luck, hope this helps you.
QUESTION: How can I install an outlet where my ceiling light used to be? The wires are all set because the electrician said all I need to do is hang a light fixture.
- ANSWER: An outlet and a light fixture use the exact same wires. To put an outlet in a ceiling box you just need to connect the black wire to the gold colored screw in a standard outlet and the white wire to the silver colored screw and the bare copper wire to the green screw. It may get tricky when you try to screw the outlet into the ceiling box however because some ceiling boxes have a different distance between the two screw holes than the outlet will but it will more than likely fit. Just screw the outlet into the box and find a cover plate to fit. Round for a round box rectangle for a rectangular box. Just remember that the light switch will obviously have to be on for that outlet to work.
QUESTION: How do you determine the maximum wattage of a light fixture? I installed a light fixture in a ceiling fan. The light fixture has four arms and the manual says that each arm can handle up to 60 watt bulb. The light fixture is connected to the ceiling fan's wire. And I put four 60 watt buls in the light fixture. So, the total wattage is 240watt. One day, my wife said that she smells some burning stuffs around the ceiling fan. The smell could come from a different source. But, I am wondering if 240watt is too big for the fan's capacity. Does any one know this type of problem? I see some of light fixture says that the maximum wattage is 150watt, and some of them say 60watt. How do they determine that? This light fixture is connected to the existing fan, which I don't know if the wire of the existing fan has the enough capacity. Does it make sense?
- ANSWER: I have seen this time and time again. You probably bought the light fixture from a discount place, right? They are rated for 60 watt bulbs, but the sockets they install do not hold up. The wires are riveted instead of screwed into the light bases. The rivet loosens, causing an arc, and then burning of the wires. That will explain the burning smell. Ultimately, you will see a bulb out, and when you replace it, it still won't work. These are foreign made, and do not hold up. I can't tell you how many light sockets I have replaced for people on these. I believe I did 2 last week. Go to the hardware store and pick up some new sockets, and replace the one that's burning. There will be more, so pick up spares. Remember to shut off the power before doing any electrical replacements. Good luck.
QUESTION: How to install hanging light fixture with only black wires and one bare silver wire? My ceiling box has one each white, black and copper wire. The fixture only has black and a bare silver wire. The rubber part of the black wire in the fixture seems to be connected and you can pull it apart resulting in two black wires with copper in the middle. How to connect these to the wires in the ceiling box? Used the advice from the first answer. Worked perfectly without killing myself. Thanks for saving me the cost of a pro.
- ANSWER: if it's a simple fixture, it really makes no difference which wire hooks up to which wire in the ceiling box. If you are really concerned, look at the two black wires carefully... you will see one of them has ridges on it... use that as the one connected to the black wire in the ceiling box, then hook the other one to the white wire. The silver one is ground.
QUESTION: How do I install a lighting fixture like a chandelier in an area with no hole in the ceiling? How do I make a hole in the ceiling? and once I do make a hole what electric wires do I look for? I actually have to write about the process so I'm not planning on hiring anyone. If anyone could help me out on this, It would really mean a lot and would be a huge help! Thanks so much.
- ANSWER: It is a bit more complicated than you are saying. The hole in the ceiling is easy, cut one. But, you'll need the proper support for the chandelier in the ceiling. The electric will need to be run from the breaker box to the ceiling, and down the wall to the switch. You can't just pop a hole in the ceiling and grab some wires. If you are not just writing about the idea of the process, for your own safety, hire an electrician.
QUESTION: how can i wire a light fixture from a switch that is controlling a receptacle? The set up currently is the wall has a switch that controls a receptacle in the room. I want to install a ceiling fixture instead and use the switch to control this fixture but still have full access of the receptacles. I only have access to the crawl space above the room. I am not sure where to interrupt the current wiring. Thanks in advance
- ANSWER: The easiest way to do this is to get a ceiling fan that has a wireless remote to control the speed of the fan and typically the light that is on it too. Many have dimmers as well so that you can control the fan speed and light intensity. This will not require any rewiring and will leave you with full control of all the recepticals as well. It will also remove the problem of pulling or rewiring and not having to go into the crawlspace of the actic which is like hell in the summer. I have added a link below for some examples:
QUESTION: How do I install overhead lighting in an old house? I am sectioning off a portion of my living room to create a first floor bedroom for myself. The house is approximately 100 years old and there is no overhead lighting in this area. I would like to install a ceiling fan/light fixture but the ceiling is plaster and there is no access from above to run wiring. Does anyone have any ideas? I thought about creating a tray ceiling and placing can lights around the perimeter maybe?
- ANSWER: Hi Brandi, Pulling a new electrical run in an older home can be difficult, frustrating and expensive. The best alternative is the new track-lights. Anyone can install them with the most basic knowledge and a few common household tools.
QUESTION: How do you hook up a ceiling fan when the existing light fixture only has two cloth covered wires? The fan has about four wires total. The house is about 100yrs old. There are other fans in the house. This is a Hampton Bay ceiling fan. Can I ground the ceiling fan to the metal box I need to install in the ceiling?
- ANSWER: Both are correct to some degree in a hundred year house the wiring will be knob and tube. The first thing I would ask you to do is to visit the hardware store one more time they sell a bracket box that will fit into the opening between the rafters. As you tighten the box the cleats dig into the rafters and the box is rated for the weight of the fan. The neutral conductor is the grounded conductor in your home the green wire from the fan can go to the box, for the four conductors of the fan you will have to read the instructions very carefully and determine which conductors will be spliced together and which will be tied to the house power. I'm sorry I can not help you any further but you did not give enough information to determine the wiring f the fan.
QUESTION: What light should I install into my room? My Sister and I currently share a room, soon we're going to split it with a curtain, problem is she has installed lighting on her side, and all I have is a lamp. So if we split the room my side is going to be very dim. What light fixtures can I install? And do I have to wire it through the ceiling or is there any possible way to not have to open up my ceiling and install it? And how much would it cost?
- ANSWER: yes, you can run the wiring for another fixture, by placing an external box over the existing light fixture box, running external conduit to a second external box, and placing a light fixture there. This will need to be done by a certified electrician, which can be found in the yellow pages of your phone book, and will cost 0-0. Alternatively, if you have a receptical (outlet), you could put a bright floor lamp, or halogen work lamp there. Floor lamps are available at most stores for about . Work lamps are much brighter, and are available at home improvement stores, or Lowes/Home Depot, for -0. They also use much more power, and become very HOT.
QUESTION: how to install a track light on the ceiling from scratch ? I have just moved house, i have put up my dartboard. But the light bulb from the middle of the room isn't good enoug to light up the dartboard. I need to install a ceiling spotlight fixture, i think it's called track lighting. It has 3 halogen bulbs which i can light up the dartboard with to make playing darts much better. My question is how do i plug these into my existing electricity circuit? I'm assuming when i cut a hole out in the ceiling and screw the new lights in place i will run a cable into my attic then connect it to the power somehow, then i will have to cut my wall up to put a new switch in next to my other one for the main light then polyfill and repaint the wall ? Can someone please help me as i have absolutely no experiance with electrics and what i might need to buy to get the job done or how to connect the light to the electricity supple etc. My only other option is to pull out the lmain light move it 1 metre to the right and put in the track spotlights instead of the main light and use a lamp at night in that room. Thanks for any help on this matter, sorry if i'm not very clear about what i'm on about but i really have no idea what to do. rik.
- ANSWER: Congratulations on the new digs rik! It sounds like you have some great plans for the dartboard. I have attached three articles: (1) Installing Track Lighting Guide, (2) Track Lighting Buying Guide, and (3) Switch Buying Guide. Since this is your first time working with electricity, I would suggest getting some help/ advice from a licensed electrician or handyman who will be able to look at your home and make the best assessment as well as knowing the local electrical codes. They may be able to handle the more complicated parts of your installation. Best wishes in the new home!
QUESTION: Installing a ceiling fan with a light fixture and two controls on the wall? I am replacing an old ceiling fan with light fixture with a new ceiling fan with light fixture. I removed the existing fan from my ceiling that had a light fixture, the fan was controlled by a flip switch on the wall and the light fixture by a dimmer on the wall next to the flip switch. Unfortunately I neglected to look at the wiring configuration when I removed it. What I have coming from the ceiling is 1 green ground wire and TWO SETS of black and white wires, there is no red wire. I've figured out which set of black and white go to the wall switch, how do I connect the light fixture with the remaining black & white wires? I did the wiring that woodtick314 suggested...and I believe this to be correct. However, in prior attempts I believe I may have fried the wall switch, so I'm going to have to go Lowes & get a new one before I can say that I have successfully solved this.
- ANSWER: Connect all of the white wires together. Connect the black for the light to the blue wire on the fan. The other black goes to the black on the fan. Connect the grounds and you're all set. Hope this helps.
QUESTION: i am replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan with a light fixture.? The old fixture has a black and a white wire that were attached to two white wires coming from the ceiling. There was also two black wires nutted to each other in the ceiling. Essentially there are two sets of wires in the ceiling that have a black and a white in each, and the blacks are twisted together. How do I proceed to install a ceiling fan?
- ANSWER: Mark the white wire that was on the black wire from the light with several wraps of black electrical tape, then wire your new fixture white to white, and black to the taped lead. This should be the way the old fixture was wired. How heavy is the new unit? If more than 6 lbs, you need a special box to support the fixture.
QUESTION: wiring for a ceiling fan and light switch? I am installing a ceiling fan and light fixture. I want the fan and the light to be on seperate switches. How do I do the wiring? Do I need to use 12-3 wire or can I use 12-2
- ANSWER: http://www.lightingfacts.com/Ceiling%20Fan%20Wiring.html
QUESTION: how to replace a ceiling fan with light to a light only? I am replacing a ceiling fan with a light fixture to a light only. There are three back wires, three white wires and one red wire. The white wires were connected to the white wire on the fan, the red was connected to the blue and black in the fan. The three black wires from the ceiling are capped off. At the light switch itself there are two white wires, a red and a black, the whites are connected to each other and the red is in the top of the switch and the black in the bottom. What should I connect to what to install just a simple light fixture?
- ANSWER: The black wires are the power supply that is feeding the switch,just take everything down and hook the red and white wires to the new light it will bolt to the box where the fan hardware was mounted. the blue wire on the fan is the light on the bottom and the black is the fan motor, the red wire will be the hot from the light switch and you will need to hook a white wire to the light too. brass is hot on the new light and silver screw will be neutral so just use the red and white wires to hook up the light and you will be fine.
QUESTION: What caused the light fixture in my ceiling fan to stop working, and how do I fix it? I installed the fan a year ago (swapping it for the original light fixture) and it worked perfectly. About 2 weeks ago, the lights (all four of them) just stopped working. The fan has 2 chains (to work the fan and lights independently from each other) and the room has two switches to turn it on - one of the switches has a dimmer, and they do not work together. In other words, if I turn on the fan using switch 1, and the fan goes on, then if I hit switch 2, nothing will happen.
- ANSWER: First problem: You have a pair of 3-way switches that is wired incorrectly. Check both switches to make sure the common wire is going to the proper terminal. Swap wires wherever necessary. On the light, the chain switch probably broke, and no longer operates the light. Best course of action: 1. Take the fan/light down and replace the ceiling box with one that's rated for a ceiling fan. I assume you left the original fixture box in place. You can't do that. 2. Replace the cable feeding the ceiling box with 14/3. This will give you a second hot wire so that you can operate both the fan and light separately from the wall. Cut the chains off the fan while the fan is on HIGH and the light is ON. 3. At the switch box that's hot constantly, replace that box with a 2-gang box and connect the 14/3 cable in there. The other switch box will have only one (original) 14/3 cable with a black, white, and red. The black is common, other two are travelers. At the main switch box, pigtail the hot with two black pigtails; one for the fan control knob, and other for the light switch. From the new 14/3 cable, black feeds the fan, red for the light, and white is neutral.
QUESTION: Why are my self-installed flourecent light fixtures flickering all the time? I have typical flourecent "office fixture" ceiling lights. I'm replacing them with simple wall mounted, DIY fixtures and am using 13w spiral flourecent lights. I wired the first one and tested it. Worked just fine. Then I ran my wires to the second fixture, put it all together and tested it. Now the two bulbs to a little disco dance back and forth for a few minutes before they warm up. What is causing this and how can I work around it? Will lower wattage bulbs do it? I plan on installing another 2 fixtures on the other side of the room. What can I do?? I don't think it's a wiring issue. Here's what I did: Electrical box -> black wire -> rat tail -> black wire -> fixture -> white wire -> rat tail -> black wire -> rat tail -> black wire -> fixture -> white wire -> rat tail -> white wire -> electrical box What these guys are saying about series/parallel is it, I think. Problem is, I don't know how to make the wire go "through" a fixture, so to speak. If I join the black wire from the wall to the black wire from the fixture, which black wire to I connect to the next fixture? Do I need to combine 3 wire together? So, the wires come out of the wall inbetween the two fixtures. I have the black wire from the wall and the two black wires from the fixtures together. I have the white wire from the wall and the white wire from the fixtures all bound together. And now the bulbs are working fine. BUT it seems like there should be a better way. I have 2 more fixtures I would like to insert into the circuit. Where/How would I place them??
- ANSWER: I got the same impression as Alan from reading your wiring connections. All the blacks should be connected together and all the whites connected together throughout the circuit. I'm not sure what a rat tail is. But no black should be connected to a white in your circuit. So black and white to the first fixture each connected to the black and white fixture wires and to the black and white wires going to the next fixture and so on to the other fixtures. Stop at the last fixture. And of course there will be a ground wire in the circuit to ground the fixtures. Edit: Yes you are correct in that on all the fixtures except the last one, you will have three black wires connected together, and three white wires connected together. Four if each fixture has 2 each. The connections are made in the required box behind the fixture.
QUESTION: Light bulb flashing after ceiling fan install? I installed a ceiling fan where an existing light fixture was at. The bracket was fine so i kept the original box. The wires coming down to the fixture were 2 white wires. One neutral from the source, and apparently they ran the romex to a switch and used the white wire as the switch leg. Two black wires were wired together in the box. When i checked the wire with my voltage detecter with the power one, i found the voltage to be pulsating on what i though was the hot. I figured this had something to do with the dimmer switch so i continued. I finished the install, turned power back on, fan worked, lights worked, pull chains worked. I went back to the attic and found the light in the attic to be flashing. I removed the dimmer and the problem still exists. The flashing is definitely a 60hz flash. The only thing i can think of is i wired the wrong white wire to the black fan wires. The light kit doesnt have polarity, and the fan works fine so how can it not have the correct polarity. I think whoever wired the house alternated which wire they used as the switch leg when they used one piece of romex. It is confusing when you see black and white wires connected in junction boxes, and trying to figure out which devices it feeds. Im just thinking out loud at this point, but i am very frustrated. Yeah i have checked all the connections and everywhere i was at in the attic. I retraced my steps and everything is fine. I must have the polarity wrong in the ceiling fan junction box because that flash is consistent in terms of the timing, its almost perfect. It has to be backfeed from somewhere and the light worked in the attic prior to the ceiling fan. Im going to pull the fan down and switch my wires and see what happens. I just cant figure out the pulsating on the assumed hot wire when i checked the voltage.
- ANSWER: How can you see a light blink 60 times per second because that is what it is doing. Also forget about the polarity issue, the polarity of a/c voltage changes 60 times a second. After you lose these issues, do what Jim W said and you will find a loose connection

how to install a ceiling light fixture

Replace Fluorescent Lighting

2012-11-01T23:01:00.002+08:00

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
can I replace fluorescent lighting with track ilghting? I have a boring old wide fluorescent light in my kitchen which looks dated and I'd like to replace it with some track lighting. Is it jus a matter of replacing the fixture itself or, will it require some rewiring?
- ANSWER:
  If the lighting now is on a switch or switch's, your all set to go. You can replace the fixtures and more than likely repaint the ceiling since I ll guess the fluorescent fixtures are a different size and have been up awhile. GL
QUESTION:
How do I replace a fluorescent light with 3 recessed lights? I have a fluorescent light in my kitchen that I need to get rid of. I've read up about adding recessed lights and they all say "run the power source to the light." Okay, but I'd like to get rid of the fluorescent, and swap it with 3 new recessed lights. I've also read when you replace lights to make sure you don't go over the current wattage. As it is now, there are two 40W fluorescent bulbs. I'd like to replace them with 3 60W energy saving bulbs, so it would actually be 14W each (42W total). So finally my question is: can I simply kill power to the room, disconnect the electrical line from the fluorescent, remove the fluorescent fixture, put three recessed lights in the same vicinity, split the electrical cable into 3 parts (3 red & 3 white), and connect that to my 3 new lights? Is that doable or is there something I'm not understanding. Thank you for the help.
- ANSWER:
  You got it. Usually the wire will be black and white rather than red, but you are understanding it ok. Your wattage is fine. With the wire that is there you can even go bigger on the bulbs with no problem. 14 ga wire will handle 1400 watts total and that is the smallest wire used in home wiring. So even 3 100 watt bulbs would be fine. You are correct in your wiring. Make sure your connections are tight. Tug each wire to make sure it will not slip out of the wire nut.
QUESTION:
Is there anyway to cheaply replace fluorescent light fixtures? I am renting an apartment, and they have the "school room" fluorescent lights in all the rooms. They're hideous and bland. Is there anyway to replace the covers for them, with something modern... or a cheap way to replace them all together?. I looked online, and the fixtures are ridiculously expensive. Any ideas???
- ANSWER:
  First off, you probably should have permission from the landlord before you make changes to the apartment. Not too many landlords want tenants messing around with electrical issues. Second off, if you get permission, you should hire a licensed electrician to do this. Too much liability for you if you DIY and burn the place down (think of the other tenants). As far as 'cheap' goes, you are probably going to be out of luck. Some florescent fixtures can take a variety of diffusers. But, I doubt that they are going to be cheap. Sorry if it isn't the answer that you wanted. But, I do believe that it is the truth.
QUESTION:
How easy is it to replace a fluorescent light fixture in the kitchen? I have a flourescsent light fixture in the kitchen which I do not like. The fixture uses two U-shaped flourescent tubes and is a pain in the neck (literally) to change the tubes. I'm thinking of changing the fixture into a ceiling light that uses compact flourescent bulbs instead. Because the fixture uses the U-shaped tubes, would replacing the fixture be any more difficult than if I was to replace a light fixture that didn't use a fluorescent light fixture? Is there anything special I'd have to do? thx
- ANSWER:
  The only thing u have to do is turn off the breaker, and install the fixture of your choice. you don't need to hire an electrician or anyone else. Kill the power...Verify that its off. disconnect wiring. black to black, white to white, green or bare wire to the fixture body..make darn sure your connections are tight, secure fixture to box or ceiling....sit back and enjoy
QUESTION:
does the landlord or renter replace fluorescent overhead lights? we have a fluorescent light on the ceiling of our kitchen, it is like one of those big bulbs with 4 feet of twisted pipe that looks pricey to replace. At first I thought as the renters we should replace the light bulbs, but my roommates insist our landlord should do it. I found here questions confirming my stance, but they all seem to be talking about regular screw in incandescent type light bulbs
- ANSWER:
  You (the renter) pay for light bulbs. I have the florescent ones you're talking about in my bathroom, only they are smaller, but they still cost about each...I pay for them. The landlord wasn't using them to make them burn out, you were.
QUESTION:
Replace fluorescent lights with rope lights? I have fluorescent lights underneath my cabinets in the kitchen. Is it possible to replace them with rope lights that can connect to a light switch?
- ANSWER:
  Yes, it's possible, BUT... IF the light wiring is connected directly "INTO" a light switch, that project needs to be done either by an Electrician, OR someone who really KNOWS WHAT he/she is doing!!!!! Another remote possibility is, IF you have a receptacle that is CONTROLLED BY a light switch, then plug the light string into that outlet. Another less expensive option is to simply plug and unplug the light string as needed.
QUESTION:
Can I replace a fluorescent light fixture with ballast with a florescent light fixture without a ballast? My kitchen light fixture cover fell off, the clips that held the cover in place all cracked off. the light and ballast, florescent tubes (2 of them) all work, they are just ugly and I want to replace them. Since there is a ballast, I am unsure if I can replace them with a light fixture that doesn't have a ballast.
- ANSWER:
  If you replace to ENTIRE fixture, it doesn't matter what the old fixture used. The NEW fixture should have everything needed to connect directly to your home wiring.
QUESTION:
How to change a ballast on a fluorescent lighting fixture? I'm applying for a new job as a maintenance technician at a local college and need to know how to repair and replace ballasts attached to fluorescent lighting fixtures. Generally what are the steps taken to do so and what kind of tools would you use?
- ANSWER:
  Pie mash found a great one for you. It really is very simple. You just need to make sure the new ballast is the right voltage 120 or 277. But most are dual voltage now. You need to make sure that the ballast you are putting in will do the same light bulbs you have. If you can not shut the light fixture off, cut the hot wire first. That wire is gonna hurt if you are not careful but the other wires will hurt more. You can't mess it up if you just wire nut color to color.
QUESTION:
What other type of Fluorescent light to replace the F40T10 Full Spectrum Fluorescent.? I could not find the F40T10 Full Spectrum Fluorescent locally for my existing fixture.
- ANSWER:
  Ant F40t10 bulb will work. the Full Spectrum is a "Daylight" type bulb which actually gives you the Best Flourescent Lighting you can get. Any Electrical supplier should be able to order them for you.
QUESTION:
Can I replace a fluorescent tube light fixture (like the ones in an office) with a normal incandescent one? My house was built in the 80s and the washrooms, kitchen and basement all use the fluorescent tubes. I want to slowly start changing them all.
- ANSWER:
  Yes. You would just have to change out the fixture to something you like. I personally prefer fluorescents, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
QUESTION:
Which uses less energy? A LED track lighting fixture or a fluorescent lighting fixture? In replacing my lighting fixture, I'm trying to figure out which might be more energy efficient. Would it be, an LED track lighting fixture with four 50W bulbs, or a square fluorescent lighting fixture with two 40W tubes?
- ANSWER:
  There isn't much difference there. I would be more concerned about the light the fixture puts out and how it affects my eyes. Watts divided by voltage (ballast not line) = amps. Amps make the meter spin. At 120 V you are looking at .3 to .4 amp difference between the two.
QUESTION:
We recently had to replace a wall mounted fluorescent light, with a smaller one, what to do with wires? It was a wall mounted light above the kitchen sink. The wires previously ran behind the light, but since the new one is smaller they have to run across the front of the wood plate. I was thinking white electrician's tape, or to simply paint over them. Drilling another hole to run the wire isn't necessarily an option currently. Looking for a reasonable temporary solution that is more appealing to the eye than simply leaving the wires exposed. The light is mounted on the lower part of the windows that are above our kitchen sink. The wood is maybe 1/4 or 1/2 inch thick and runs the length of the wall. Also, it is about 12 inches from the sink, so placing something to hide it is out of the question.
- ANSWER:
  Surface mounted raceways may be your answer. Search "surface raceway" for Ideas of whats available. Most home centers carry them, or can order them for you. Good luck.
QUESTION:
how do you replace a fluorescent light and what if it doesnt turn on when you change the bulb? you wouldnt think this would be such a hard task, but i am having soo much trouble trying to figure out why these new bulbs wont turn on ...
- ANSWER:
  Hire an insured handyman. Mark
QUESTION:
Can you replace a fluorescent ceiling light with a regular current one?
- ANSWER:
  You can, the wires that feed the ballast can be connected to regular sockets. You won't greatly increase the power you use if you select CFL lamps. Be selective about what style of fixture you select, most incandescent bulbs are being eliminated, you will probably end up using CFL or LED lamps after all.
QUESTION:
Is it possible to change a 4' standard fluorescent light fixture ballast and replace with a 3' bulb? Is it possible to use the same ballast from a 4 feet light fixture and use it with a 3 feet florescent light bulb?
- ANSWER:
  The fluorescent ballasts are designed to operate specifically desingned fluorescent bulbs. It takes a higher voltage to start a 4 foot fluorescent bulb than a 3 foot fluorescent bulb. You will definitely greatly shorten the life of the 3 foot fluorescent bulb if you connect it to a fluroescent ballast desingned for a 4 foot fluorescent bulb if it does not burn out almost immediately.
QUESTION:
If we replace light bulbs with fluorescent ones, what do we do with the unwanted incandescent ones we removed? Won't they just end up in the waste stream? Is there a eco-freiendly way to discard them? I now have only fluorescent bulbs throught out my home, but I'm also stuck with a box full of incandescent bulbs I don't want and probably can't even give away
- ANSWER:
  I have to take a different position that a few of the other answerers here. While there are non-profits, schools, and poor people who might gladly accept your old incandescent bulbs, you must NOT let them get re-used. Why not? Because then there might not be an actual reduction in carbon emissions. Think about it. Your old bulb created a relatively large amount of carbon emission. Your new CFL bulb will create much less carbon emission, but it will still generate some. If you give your old bulb to someone who might not have otherwise used that bulb, there could well be a NET INCREASE in global warming as a result of your actions - as both your old bulb and a new one would be in use. "Our goal is not just to reduce our PERSONAL carbon emissions, but to think about how to reduce OVERALL carbon emissions, also." You will be hard pressed to find a convenient way to recycle your old bulbs. I fear your best bet is to simply throw them away. Yes, you are prematurely increasing trash going to landfill, but I believe that's a reasonable trade-off for the certainty of years of reduced carbon emissions. GreenJoe.com says "Out with the brown, in with the green!"
QUESTION:
Can I replace a 75 watt rated light fixture with 3 separate - 23 watt compact fluorescent lights safely? I want to know if i need to replace / update the wiring.
- ANSWER:
  Yes, you should be able to do this switch safely as long as you shut off the power source to the light either by the wall switch or from the circuit breaker. You asked about replacing/updating the wiring. Is there a reason for you to suspect that it needs replacing? The existing wires should be just fine unless there is visible damage or the insulation is hard and brittle from the heat of the light fixture. Anyways, the short answer is yes, you can make this change safely. Good luck!! Steve
QUESTION:
How much energy is saved by replacing fluorescent lights with sky lights in a school building? Only serious answers please...this is important. Thank you! :]
- ANSWER:
  Skylights are a two way street in terms of energy usage. They do allow natural light into the building which can reduce the amount of electric light needed. On the other side of the equation the roof is where most of a building's heat loss happens. A skylight does not have as much insulating value as the rest of the roof so the heat lost through a skylight is an energy loss. In hot weather the skylight can be an unwelcome heat source from the sun adding to A/C costs. Because weather conditions vary from day to day and seasonally its difficult to determine the energy loss or gain from skylights.
QUESTION:
how do you replace the long tube shaped Fluorescent Light bulbs? my old ones died, need to replace them. but how???
- ANSWER:
  You just grab the tube with both hands and turn it until the pins come out of the slot on the bottom of the fixtures on either end of the tube. Then reverse the order when putting the new tubes in.
QUESTION:
how do i know whether to replace a tube or starter for a fluorescent strip light? i have a fluorescent strip light in my kitchen. when i switch it on the light flickers and does not stay on. is this due to the tube or the starter? neither has been replaced for about 5 years. it has a 58w tube and 65w starter at the moment. hmmmm, i have 2 conflicting answers here. the tube is slightly black at one end, but it does light up, then flickers on and off and there is a buzzing sound.
- ANSWER:
  A new starter is so cheap (less than £1) that it is surely worth just replacing that first - if it solves the problem good - if it doesn't then you know you need a new tube. I always reckon to replace both anyrate when it starts acting up - the starter is so cheap it is not a waste changing it. Fluorescent tubes should be replaced anyrate if 5 years old - they lose quite a lot of light output with age and you will be surprised how much brighter a new one appears.
QUESTION:
Is it possible to replace my regular headlights on my car for fluorescent light?
- ANSWER:
  yes
QUESTION:
Was Gore really demonstrating about replacing the olympic flame with LED or fluorescent lighting?
- ANSWER:
QUESTION:
Can I replace my tank light with fluorescent light? I have the Aqueon 10 and I have some brackish fish (figure 8 puffer, getting some bumblebee gobies) and it looks weird because they are part saltwater fish in an orange light. The color of the light looks really ugly, and I was wondering if I could replace it with a fluorescent one? Also, I want to replace my gravel with sand. How do I do that without getting rid of the beneficial bacteria? @Harsh How do I siphon something out? Do I need any extra materials @Harsh and Pytr I have a hose but its old and I didn't know the term for it. I will probably get it when I get my gobies (tank is new)
- ANSWER:
  Yes, fluorescent lights are good as are halides. What looks nice in reef aquariums is a 50/50 blue/white light. To change from gravel to sand, siphon out half of your water into a bucket, put all ornaments, plants and fish into that bucket. I suggest putting your heater in the bucket to keep the fish warm as the process takes about an hour. So as of now you should have a tank half filled with water and gravel on the bottom and a filter in there. You can also put the filter in the bucket and have that run. If it doesn't just turn it off and let it be. Now, scoop out the gravel with some sort of container (careful not to scratch or break the glass). After you have taken out as much as possible, dispose of the gravel as you wish and siphon out the gravel and waste remnants along with the rest of the water out and dispose of the liquid. I recommend you clean the sides of the aquarium with a washcloth of some sort at this point. After you have done this and you have a nice spotless aquarium, pour in the sand (which you should clean). After you have the sand in, you can either plant and decorate it dry or do that after you fill the water. Careful not to disturb the sand when pouring in water; I recommend using a bowl to slow the force of the water as your pour. Fill the water a little less than halfway (make sure you condition it and all). From the bucket with the fish and water now, remove the heater and let it and the filter run for about 15 minutes. As this is happening pour a little bit of water from the bucket with the fish gradually. Once there is like half of the water left in the bucket, go ahead and put the fish in and pour the rest of the water in. The ornaments and filter should have held enough beneficial bacteria and your fish will appreciate their new substrate! Good luck! By the way, if your ornaments have holes, please be sure that your fish aren't hiding inside the ornament or within the plants. This happened with me and my cories. They were INSIDE of the ornament and out of water for ten minutes. Luckily, I had no deaths. But with puffers, you never know. They too are small. EDIT: To siphon something out, you need to purchase a gravel vacuum. It's basically a hose. You can use a regular tube that is of at least one inch in diameter. My siphon has a pump but there's a manual way to siphon using a tube that you can look up. It's everywhere. But I would recommend purchasing a pump action gravel vacuum siphon anyways as you should be performing water changes with it every week anyways. They're like -5.
QUESTION:
How hard is it to replace the ballast in a fluorescent reading light?
- ANSWER:
  On the provisions that you can find a replacement ballast and that it is mounted in the base of the lamp, it should not be difficult at all. Even if it is not in the base of the lamp, the same sized device will fit, just use a little care with re-assembly.
QUESTION:
When installing a fluorescent light fixture, where to I run the wires from the ceiling to the light? I'm replacing a fluorescent light fixture. My old fixture has a big square hole in the middle. The black and white wires from the ceiling run through the hole and connect to the black and white wires in the fixture. However, this new fixture doesn't have a big hole in the middle. There are some really small holes though. Where exactly do I run the wires through? i'm using a lithonia brand two bulb light fixture
- ANSWER:
  There should be at least one 1/2 inch knockout for this purpose, be sure however to protect the wires by using a 1/2 inch plastic bushing or romex connector that pops right into the hole. Make sure you connect the proper wires to the fixture wires & ground to the green screen screw on the fixture.
QUESTION:
I'm installing a fluorescent shop light in my garage to replace an existing hard wired shop light.? The new light comes with a 120v power cord. When I cut the power cord I will have 3 wires showing but have only 2 wires showing from the ceiling. I know white to white & black to black but what to do about the 3rd wire? Thanks.
- ANSWER:
  The third wire is a just a ground. You don't even need it. The white wire is hooked to the same ground bar in your electrical panel
QUESTION:
How can I fix my Fluorescent light? I have a fluorescent light in my bathroom. It started to flicker so I replace the light bulbs. Two weeks later, it is doing it again? What is the problem? How do I fix it?
- ANSWER:
  Sounds like you need a new ballast, the black rectangular object inside the fixture. Turn off the light, remove the lamp/s and pan. Inside you will see a ballast with 8 wires. Disconnect the black and white wires. Now cut the red, blue and yellow wires, about 6 inches from the ballast. Remove the ballast supporting screw and the ballast will come out. It is heavier than it appears, so be ready. It may also be leaking a tarry substance, avoid touching this. Make note of the numbers on the ballast (eg. F40 - T12) and dispose of it. Install a ballast with the same markings. Connect the wires colour to colour, 1 red to 1 red, 1 blue to 1 blue, 1 yellow to 1 yellow and the same with the rest. Last connections are white to white and black to black. Use marrettes to make these joints. (Be sure to pick up new lamp/s and 6 # 31 marrettes when buying the ballast.) Reinstall the pan and lamps. That's it, hit the switch.
QUESTION:
Is a 100 watt bulb brighter than 2x40w fluorescent lights? I need a lot of light in the bathroom and I want to replace 2 fluorescent cylinders with a 100w light fixture.
- ANSWER:
  The number of lumens is the important measurement, not watts. Compare those. In my personal opinion, the color of the light is also a critical factor. For years, almost all bulbs were what is called cool white. That really isn't very good quality of white, it is a yellow tinged color. I find that to be very poor. It is the reason why you were taught to take something outside to see it's true color. The bulb distorted what you saw. More recently, we have had more access to bulbs with a much better, i.e. truer light. Look for the "color temperature" of the bulb. 5000 degrees is my favorite. It much more closely resembles sunlight than the cool white does. It makes colors much more true and makes it seem like there is more light, even if there are a few less lumens. I am using 5000 degree LED bulbs in my bathroom now and I love it. They run cool, last forever, take less power than even florescents, and start instantly, even in cold weather. They cost a lot more to buy and are harder to get, but I think they are more than worth it.
QUESTION:
Why the traditional Idea bulb as an incandescent light bulb is replaced by Fluorescent light bulb? why is it happening so ?
- ANSWER:
  Energy efficiency. An incandescent bulb wastes a lot of power as heat, as the filament must glow "white hot" to emit white light. The fluorescent light emission is a (near) cold process. Thus more energy efficient, less power is required to produce white light.
QUESTION:
Help! Can I replace the fluorescent bulb in the "All Glass single tube strip light" for my aquarium? Or is it a disposable one piece unit? I can't see a way to get the bulb out and all the Pet smart and Pet co. ads don't say? Do I just replace the whole strip? Any info please!
- ANSWER:
  of course the bulbs com out ever fishtank light comes out if you could try to twist it if not take to your local petstore and ask them to do it for you while your there get a new light not being msart and good luck
QUESTION:
How to fault detect a bad fluorescent light fixture? A few of my under counter fluorescent fixtures in the kitchen don't work. they are all less than 3 years old. I replace the light bulb, but it still doesn't light. How do you test what part of the fixture has failed- ie the ballast, a connection, etc
- ANSWER:
  It is actually quite uncommon to find flourescent fixtures that use starters anymore unless they are very old. If the fixture is that old it would most likely be cost effective to simple replace the fixture. Starters are not expensive, but may be difficult to find and there are more energy efficient fixtures on the market today that also offer more pleasing light colors. If your fixture is newer and doesnt have a starter or even if it does have a starter there will be a ballast and this is the most likely reason for failure or the light to come on. A ballast is simply a transformer that boosts your household voltage to a voltage that is needed to cause the gas inside the tube to "burn". Standard mechanical ballasts will eventually wear out. This is often evidenced by visually inspecting the ballast where you will often times find a black tarry substance leaking from the case of the ballast. The ballast, by the way, will be located inside the cover of the fixture, it is not exposed. Newer flourescent fixtures will have an electronic ballast that often will look like a small printed circuit board like that as you may find in a radio. If you feel comfortable replacing the ballast it is a fairly simple procedure. First be absolutely sure that you have turned the circuit off before attempting to replace a ballast. Simply turning the light switch off is not good enough. You can check to see that the circuit is off by testing with a circuit tester that does not require live contact. These are available at hardware stores. The tester will "chirp" if voltage is present. Also once you think the circuit is off, check with a "wiggy" tester, also available from a hardware store. This tester requires live contact with the wiring. Always check your testers on a known live outlet before proceeding to the circuit in question to ensure that the tester works properly. Once you are sure the circuit is turned off you can proceed with replacing the ballast. It is a simple process of disconnecting the wires from the faulty ballast and removing it then install the new ballast matching the colors of the wires. To make sure that you purchase the correct ballast you can either look at the label of the old ballast or tell the clerk at the store about your fixture. Is it an 8 foot, 2 tube fixture or a 4 foot 4 tube, 18 inch single tube fixture, just let the clerk know. Again consider that if the fixture is old just replacing the entire fixture. Warning: You have been told to be sure the circuit is off before working on the fixture. Household current can be DEADLY if you come into contact with it. If you do not understand how to use a circuit tester or are at all uncomfortable with working with electricity call an electrician. This type of repair is quite inexpensive and you will be certain that the job is done right and safely. I will assume NO responsibility if you decide to perform this repair yourself. Often times it is much less costly to hire a professional than to put yourself at risk.
QUESTION:
Is it feasible to replace my fluorescent tube fixtures with the newer compact fluorescent light fixtures? I have some fluorescent tube fixtures that need new ballast and some that need new bulbs. Before I purchase the replacement parts, I was wondering if would be simpler to to just buy new CFL fixtures and convert all of the tubes to CFC. There are 6 fluorescent tube fixtures in my basement which would be replaced. I know it would probably save on power, but how much light loss or lumen's would I lose in the process? To add to this: My six current fixtures are 4' T12 fluorescent fixtures, 2 tubes per fixture. My primary goal was not to save power, but to get out of the hassle of buying new ballasts and lugging the tubes around. As some below have mentioned aesthetics would be improved with the CFL's, but at the cost of lumen's though.
- ANSWER:
  40 W. T-12 fluorescent lamps put out about ~3000 lumens of light. A 100W equivalent CFL (~23W.) puts out ~ 1000 lumens. You would need six per fixture to maintain the installed light level. The fixture pans and pin mounts are already there. You would do far better in cost, labor, and efficiency to buy the new lamps and ballasts. You can buy the newer T-8 electronic ballasts and lamps if you wish. They'll fit.
QUESTION:
How to pick standard fluorescent light bulbs? I want to replace my incandescent light bulbs with standard fluorescent light bulbs but the problem is that fluorescent light bulbs happens to be extremely dim and the area in which light spreads is really small. I bought a 150W replacement which consumes 30W but when i compare the luminosity and area which light spreads is worse than a 80W incandescent light bulb. Any tips on how to choose the right fluorescent light bulb?
- ANSWER:
  Fluorescent lights are good way to provide natural light spectrum to your indoor garden while cutting down the waste heat produced by the light bulbs. you can find better options as per your requirement...
QUESTION:
Shattered Fluorescent lamp bulb. Do we clean everything? We were fixing a kitchen light and had to replace those fluorescent light bulbs (the long tube ones you see in offices and schools), and one shattered over the sink and some shards got onto clean dishes. Do I have to rewash and clean everything? I heard these bulbs have mercury in them.
- ANSWER:
  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please, clean everything. I know it will take some time, but it's worth it.The big fat ones had a lot of mercury in them. (T-12) The newer ones (T-8) don't have any. This is why the old ones are being phased out.
QUESTION:
Can you replace a incandescent bulb of 60W with a fluorescent one that's higher than 15W (its equivalent)? I understand that incandescent light bulbs have fluorescent equivalents. A 60W incandescent can be replaced by a fluorescent one around 13-15W. My questions is: Since you're using less than the maximum watts, can you use a 20W (and so on up) fluorescent bulb to replace the 60W incandescent one? Or is the new fluorescent one (up to 15W) all I can replace it with? Thx
- ANSWER:
  The rating on the fixture is a measure of how much power the wiring in the fixture can handle. Though a 15w fluorescent gives as much light as a 60w incandescent, it's still drawing 1/4 the power. The amount of light produced has no effect on the fixture; the only relevant thing is that it draws 60 watts of power or less. Therefore, you could use any fluorescent bulb up to 60 watts.
QUESTION:
How do I install new lighting into my tank? I have a 15 watt 18" fluorescent light and want to replace it with ideally a 30 watt or higher, currently its plugged into a big fitting in the top of my tank, how do I replace it? Thanks
- ANSWER:
  You unscrew the old bulb, and then screw in the new one. I can't tell you step-by-step how to do it because I don't know what type of lighting fixture you have. "a big fitting in the top of my tank" is not enough information. With my lightning fixture in my old 10g tank, I had to remove four screws holding it together, and then unscrew the bulb.
QUESTION:
I need to replace an old fluorescent in my kitchen. it has a plastic cover and it's about 3 ft long.? IT'S VERY UNATTRACTIVE AND I WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE. I CAN'T USE RECESSED LIGHTING AND DON'T WANT TO REDO THE CEILING. WHAT CHOICE DO I HAVE?
- ANSWER:
  I think we bought the same flourescent lamp, at the same store, by the same company with the "ugly feature" attatchment. LOL! I asked the same question when we were remodeling. The guy in the lighting store replied with "Halogen". The type of lighting which we purchased isn't recessed. It would go right over the old opening. The halogen lights cost a little bit more but it's really worth it.
QUESTION:
Is it ecologically sound to throw out a functioning light bulb to replace it with a compact fluorescent?
- ANSWER:
  Will be a waste if you go for flurescent that is not the most efficient, as stated by Pass me... LED is REALY what is worth it. you will be surprice how a 48 LED bulb that takes less than 2 watts is enought for a small/medium room, you just have to choose it in a good color preferebly warm white . Remmeber what gives you light is the amount of LUMENS of luminosity not the watts. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, right now, are more " eco-wise" then anything else most consumers can get a hold of (ie. incandescent) and currently save over 2000 times their own weight in greenhouse gases. But since my house is completely on solar / wind and we REALLY need to watch usage, every light is fitted with screw type (typical 110v lamp socket style) LED bulbs. They emit the same luminosity (typically 45) but at only 1watt rather then a 45w compact or 10w CFL. However they usually cost twice as much as CFLs which is twice as much (or more) as compacts. Still LEDs would be the way to go by far. Mercury IS the lesser of the evils, without getting toooo elaborate discussing specifics (ie. which burns ozone faster, other layer's besides ozone, disposing locations, methods, wind conditions, etc), one needs less mercury gas then most others, to obtain the same luminosity in a vacuum because of mercury's longer agitated spectral wavelength. Mercury's wavelength is more blue which is a longer more "luminous" or brighter light to say sodium, which is a more light orange or shorter less bright (red being the shortest) wavelength. so you'd need more sodium or other, in the tube or more electricity to the tube, to create the same luminosity as mercury.
QUESTION:
Does anyone get migraines triggered by fluorescent light (energy efficient) bulbs? I am dreading the day that they replace light bulbs everywhere with these. I am very sensitive and sometimes they can trigger migraines. I am wondering if anybody else has experiences this. I also can get migraines with flashing lights (like a light bulb that is going out at the office) or with a camera flash.
- ANSWER:
  These things can also trigger epileptic seizures. The tube flashes on and off with the alternating electric current that powers them. That's why you can see flicker in old dying ones. As far the light emitted by common fluorescent lights, it is NOT A FULL SPECTRUM OF WAVELENGTHS. You should have FULL spectrum fluorescent tubes to replace the bulbs, NOT mercury vapor tubes as is most common, and you will find the light easier on the eyes.
QUESTION:
How do you remove wires from fluorescent light sockets? I need to replace a ballast in a fluorescent light fixture but can't remove the wires from the sockets. I can push the wires in but not out. Is there some way to remove them or are these going to have to be replaced? Is it normal to have to replace the sockets when you replace the ballast? Thanks
- ANSWER:
  They DO come out of the sockets and that IS the right way to fix them. With the power off take a pliers and grip the wire close to the socket. Pull and twist until the wire comes out. it's not soldered or anything so feel free to pull hard, just hang on to the socket so you don't break it. Simply push in the new wire and you're done.
QUESTION:
Is it safe to replace R30 recessed light bulbs with regular 60W compact fluorescent bulbs (looks not a factor)? I have 8 recessed light cans in my basement but I really don't like the light temperature from regular R30 bulbs and they use too much power. I know R30 CFL bulbs are available in higher temperatures but they are still overpriced. Are there any risks of fire if I use regular 60W 6500K CFL bulbs for example?
- ANSWER:
  They'll work, I've done it, but the regular bulbs may or may not last as long. Heat tends to build up in ceiling cans and PAR 20/30 bulbs are designed for those higher temps. Some regular bulbs tend to go poof prematurely with the higher heat. Also, the depth is gong to be different. PAR 30 bulbs are usually deeper. A regular Edison screw in bulb is typically shorter and even if you adjust the can so the screw connector is as low as possible, the regular bulb won't stick down as far. This may limit the light dispersion. I put reflective inserts in all my cans for use with CFL's...makes quite a difference.
QUESTION:
I have replaced both the ballast and fluorescent lights. The flickering continues. Need suggestions? Light switch in bathroom controls overhead fan and fluorescent lights. They begain flickering after many years of bright non-flickering use. I followed suggestions found on internet. Replaced bulbs and, when that did not solve problem, replaced the ballast. Problem continues with flickering and low level of illumination. No problem with fan.
- ANSWER:
  Several good suggestions were offered - and most should be followed. Make sure you have the right lamps matched to the ballast. If there is a starter, replace it. Definitely check the grounds and bonding, not only at the lights, but at all other junctions in the circuit feeding the switch and lights. Connections can corrode. Make sure they are clean, bright and tight. Cold temperatures - generally below 40 degrees F, will affect performance. But if temperature didn't affect you for several years, there is no need to start now. Don't worry about a surge protector - that has nothing to do with it.
QUESTION:
Installing a fluorescent light fixture to replace an incandescent bulb...? Do I need to turn the power off at the circuit box, or can I just turn the light switch off. Problem is... I have to get a key off of someone to get to the circuit box. This is paid work, but there are always logistic issues. At this point the fixture is in place, the buildings wires need to be connected to the fluorescent fixture (they are still connected to the incandescent bulb). Thank you for your answers. I get what guys are saying. I think a meter is definitely going to be what I need. Thanks for your careful responses. I appreciate it.
- ANSWER:
  The safest and most correct response is to turn off the circuit breaker. That being said, you can do it by turning off the switch, but it isn't recommended. If you have a meter you can turn off the switch and check the wires for power if there are more in the box than JUST those from the switch. I would do it myself, but I NEVER advise others to do it. I do not know your knowledge base, so I don't want to get you killed. Now if you are good at reading between the lines, you will know what to do. {wink} Al
QUESTION:
will a regular fluorescent light fixture work with a blacklight lightbulb? i have a normal average fluorescent light fixture like one you would find in a store or a school. my question is would i be able to just take a black light lightbulb and replace the normal white one? or is there a difference in the two light tubes?
- ANSWER:
  Yes.
QUESTION:
Installed Lithonia Lighting Wrap Lite fluorescent fixture and T8 bulbs are only partially lighting up, why? I had a cheap fluorescent light fixture in my closet. The (2) 4 ft bulbs were always very dull and appeared to only light up about half way, even when brand new. I replaced the light fixture with a new Lithonia Wrap Lite 4' fixture using T8 bulbs thinking the ballast was defective on the old fixture. Even with the new fixture I have the same problem. New bulbs in new light fixture were nice and bright for about 10 seconds and then started flickering and now they are dull, just like the old fixture. Any ideas on what's going on here?
- ANSWER:
  Make sure the fixture is grounded. Some ballasts need to be grounded to operate properly. If that doesn't work you need a volt meter to insure you have 120v to the fixture.
QUESTION:
Landlords: How do you minimize your risk of being sued by Tenants? I recently read this: Lawsuits of all stripes prey on landlords' minds. Jackson said his company provides many services to his renters just to avoid legal hassles. "Early on," he said, "one of my tenants borrowed my lawnmower. He hit a piece of metal in the grass. His roommate was sunning himself nearby and the metal flew up and opened a gash in his forehead. The roommate sued me. Now we do all the lawns, replace fluorescent light, repair the windows; I don't want tenants doing anything."
- ANSWER:
  As long as you do everything right you really only have to worry about nut jobs. Nothing will prevent a lawsuit from a nut job. however, they show their true colors in court, so it is not a big worry. However, I do check my applicants back ground, and seeing who they have sued in the past is part of that. If they have more then 1 lawsuit I avoid them
QUESTION:
Where is the starter located in my recessed fluorescent lighting fixture? I have an old 4 ft. recessed fluorescent lighting fixture in our kitchen (with removable ceiling tiles adjacent). I am trying to locate the starter so I can replace it, as even new tube lights won't fully light (they are dim). If I can replace the starter myself, I can see if that will solve the problem. If that does not solve anything, I can then change the ballast and see if that does it. I tried to Google and YouTube but found no helpful guide for this. Anyone? Thank you guys for replying and inquiring further. I found a wonderful YouTube DIY instructional video, and luckily - it was the same exact recessed fluorescent lighting fixture I had (even ballast make/model matched). I went to Home Depot, purchased a new ballast, sockets, and a bunch of those new push in wire connectors. Here's the vid, and thanks for helping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLScPdm82M4&list=FLH26WzQuT4VGqTk7f4AUqxA&feature=mh_lolz
- ANSWER:
  Unusual that it is not obvious. Normally you can see the round end (2cm ish) poking out of the casing somewhere. I wonder if you can hear it buzzing or crackling?
QUESTION:
I want to remove a combination light/ceiling fan in my kitchen a replace it with a 4 ft fluorescent puff.? Will the wiring for the original fixture be suitible for the new puff light? Thanks.
- ANSWER:
  You will find one of three things: black, red, white, ground- use the black/white combo and ground the case to the ground screw (provided) black, white, ground- wire it up as directed either of the above, no ground- don't worry about grounding... if there's no ground in the current wiring, you aren't required to add a ground, electricians skate around this all the time. As long as no new circuits are pulled from the panel, you don't have to get a permit for the work, you don't have to ground anything that doesn't have a ground. All of the above assumes you don't have a speed controller in your switch box for the fan. If you do, you need to remove it. These will destroy your ballast quickly (not immediately). Another thing, before you install the cloud (puff?) light, you need mounting hardware. I personally recommend the toggle bolt (1/4" is fine). You only need 2, and the holes to use them are towards the end of the light. You may also need a 1/2" bushing if the fixture doesn't provide a large (2-3") knockout in the middle of the fixture. And above all, remember to work safely. Turn off power to the circuit before attempting any work. Enjoy!
QUESTION:
can i use mercury fluorescent light bulbs for growing plants indoors? yes i have some plants and my growing lights broke and don't have money to replace it. so, can i use mercury fluorescent light bulbs for growing plants indoors? please help! thanks is it ok that it is soft white?
- ANSWER:
  Yes they will work just fine. If they are seedlings place the light 2 to 4 inches above the top leaves.
QUESTION:
Internet resources for replacing a fluorescent light with an incandescent light? We have a very ugly fluorescent light in our kitchen and we would like to replace it with an incandescent light. However, when I've been searching online for how-to information, it's very hard to come by. Most information is just about the benefits of having a fluorescent light over incandescent, which brings me to my first portion of the question: even if I put in an incandescent light, couldn't I still put in the compact fluorescent bulbs and save on the energy consumption/cost? Secondly, I need to find a good resource that can explain the process for doing the switch. A video would be ideal, but anything with good step by step instructions and accompanying photos would work. Thanks!
- ANSWER:
  I think all you have to do is change the fixture, which is relatively easy as home projects go. With older fixtures(which is what I suspect you have) there won't be any incandescent bulbs to fit that. Thats why the whole fixture has to go. Just make sure the electricity is off to the room you are working in. Look for information on changing the fixture and you will find what you are looking for. http://www.ehow.com/how_2296169_change-light-fixtures.html http://www.squidoo.com/lightfixture I included a couple of links but there are many. A good investment is a how to fix thing around the house book. Many of these are at the library for free or at book stores to buy.

replace fluorescent lighting

Install Lighting Fixture

2012-10-30T00:55:00.002+08:00

install lighting fixture

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION: Can you install a ordinary light fixture onto a recessed lighting fixture can? I have house with recessed lighting installed and want to install a normal stand-alone light fixture where one of the recessed lights currently is. Is it possible to use an adaptor of some kind to use the recessed lighting fixture, which is already anchored and wired, and attached the external fixture to the recessed lighting fixture? To start from scratch I think I would have to cut up my ceiling to remove the recessed light fixture and re-anchor the new fixture which seems like a heck of a waist of time. Thanks! UPDATE- I found a company that makes an adaptor that lets you screw in an ordinary fixture into a recessed light housing. The only downside is the stupid little metal plate costs 40 bucks- oh well. http://www.thecanconverter.com/ Thanks for everyone's help. Tim
- ANSWER: I've never heard of anything like you are wanting~but it might be out there somewhere:) I wired my recessed lights, and you are right, it would probably be tough to get up in there, put a box in, and rewire for a new fixture. How about a colored flood bulb;) ?? I AM going to watch this though and see if anybody has heard of anything that works~ Good Luck!
QUESTION: How to install new track lighting and light fixture.? My husband and I have never installed any type of light fixture before. We just bought a house with a large kitchen. There is only one celing fan in the middle. We would like to put track lighting in by the stove and prep area and some sort of celing fixture over the kitchen table. Is it very complicated to install new fixtures? It always looks easy on HGTV, but I know those are professionals.
- ANSWER: Yes, it can be done all from one ceiling box, but there are problems. I would be concerned about voltage drop and amperage draw. It sounds like an older home. Nobody would put just one ceiling box in a modern kitchen. I'm betting that the ceiling fan isn't on a dedicated circuit. I don't know how many lights you are going to run, but you could easily overload that circuit if you try to light it like a modern kitchen. Well, anyway, despite those problems, you could do it. Track lighting is basically a semi-exposed rail system that comes with lots of fittings. There are Ls, Ts, and Xs. These fittings go on the ends of the tracks and you can go in any direction you please. I would be a little concerned with the total length of the system and the number of lights you are trying to power, but in theory you could run that stuff all over your kitchen and plug a light in anywhere you wanted it. Plan an installation, including all fixtures, all fittings, and the total length of the run then call a qualified electrician to inspect your wires for capacity to handle it. He doesn't have to install it, but you are going to need a consult. --EDIT-- One other thing that you may not have thought about. If you can run off just that one box, all the lights will either be on or off. There is no independent bank control. If you want the light on over the sink, the lights in the breakfast nook will be on too.
QUESTION: How do I install a ceiling lighting fixture? I've never wired before, but I'm good at following instruction/direction. I need a small ceiling fixture in my pantry. The nearest outlet is about 5 feet down on the wall. I'd like to install either a recessed light fixture or even a single spot. If there's a website for this, can you direct me?
- ANSWER: I would implore you to call a electrician. There are numerous nuances in a simple job(for a electrician)that a layman would not be able to identify and take care of. Wire stapling distance,penetration of walls and headers,installation of the new fixture box according to weight, and the proper termination of the switch leg,neutral,ground,and hot. Not to mention the wall damage that you might incure opening it up without the experience of knowing which way to route the wire. Do yourself a favor and call a pro.
QUESTION: Lighting question, no light fixture, need to install only two wires sticking out of ceiling. How do I install Have an old craftsman home, garden has no lights, nor any light fixture there are only two wires coming out of the ceiling witch are conrtrolled by an on and off switch. How do I go about installing lights? I do believe none of the two wires are for grounding(neutral, not sure).
- ANSWER: With your new light connect the white wires together, the other 2 wires may be different colors but it should be ok as long as neither of them is green...The green wire from your new light can be connected to the box the wires are coming out of(if there is one).
QUESTION: How do I install a lighting fixture like a chandelier in an area with no hole in the ceiling? How do I make a hole in the ceiling? and once I do make a hole what electric wires do I look for? I actually have to write about the process so I'm not planning on hiring anyone. If anyone could help me out on this, It would really mean a lot and would be a huge help! Thanks so much.
- ANSWER: It is a bit more complicated than you are saying. The hole in the ceiling is easy, cut one. But, you'll need the proper support for the chandelier in the ceiling. The electric will need to be run from the breaker box to the ceiling, and down the wall to the switch. You can't just pop a hole in the ceiling and grab some wires. If you are not just writing about the idea of the process, for your own safety, hire an electrician.
QUESTION: I want to install a lighting fixture in my dining room.? Can I do it myself by turning off the circuit breakers in the house and matching the color coded wires together? Or is there more to it than just that?
- ANSWER: I've installed many ceiling lights/fans and that's all you have to do, just match the wires, twist them together in a clockwise direction, then screw on the wire nuts (usually enclosed with the fixture) I also like to tape my wire nuts with electrical tape for extra security... Also, if you don't live alone, be sure to mention what you're doing to everyone, and even tape a "reminder" sign on the electrical box NOT to turn on the power...you don't want to be "surprised" with a nice jolt! Good luck with your project!
QUESTION: How do I install a chandelier lighting fixture? ? I purchased a townhouse and I want to replace the lighting fixture with a chandelier. Please help. Thx
- ANSWER: most fixtures are interchangeable. the round box in the ceiling can be used for many different fixtures. there is a silver rod that that screws into that box and your light fixture screws into that silver rod. you want to be sure that with a chandelier it is secure enough to the stud in the roof to support the weight of the chandelier, that is my only concern. the wiring should be the same. black to black, white to white, etc.
QUESTION: Can I install UL lighting fixtures in my Candian home? I am building a home here in Canada, and want to buy lighting fixtures from the US. If a fixture is UL approved, can I still get insurance, etc. if I install the fixture here in Canada.
- ANSWER: I gotta tell ya I can't find the answer anywhere...well an answer that I would put my trust in anyway. I would advise you to call your insurance company..or any insurance company and ask them the general question. You do not want to take a chance with this...so don't take anyones word on here without double checking yourself.
QUESTION: How do I install a new light fixture where there was not one before? The room I want to add the fixture to already has a light in the room, its a light/ceiling fan, I want to keep that, and then about 6 feet away install a new fixture to go over my desk. I Googled 'how to install light fixtures' and all I got were videos assuming you knew where the cable was coming from and the hole was already made. Not really what I'm looking for, any ideas how to get this started? btw, I am definitely an amateur when it comes to this stuff :)
- ANSWER: If you are not sure what to do, for safety sake get an electrician.
QUESTION: If I've never done this, does it make sense to install a new light fixture yourself or hire an electrician? I've never done anything with electricity before, but I'm considering installing a new light fixture myself. Is this crazy, or is it really a simple thing? This is an older house and I worry not about getting electrocuted, but more about starting a fire later, or that I won't recognize poor wiring that already exists in the house. People say it's really easy to install light fixtures and there's nothing to it. Is that true?
- ANSWER: It is fairly easy to replace an existing light fixture, but it also can be tricky in an old house because the wiring isn't totally standard. You have to pay careful attention to how the old fixture was wired, because the colors may not match up with what is in the printed instructions. You also have to make sure the electricity is OFF when you do the installation, at least at the light switch, preferably at the circuit breaker or fuse box. Since your friends are telling you this is easy, ask one of them who has done it before to help you out. If this is not a replacement fixture but a brand new fixture where none has been before, you want a professional.
QUESTION: Is there a tool for cutting a 7and1/8 inch circle in ceiling dry wall to install a recessed lighting fixture?
- ANSWER: Greenlee makes a hole saw for this. However, this tool is dangerous. It will bind on the sheetrock if you don't drill perfectly square. This size hole saw has dislocated my shoulder before. There are also numerous adjustable diameter circle cutters on the market. You may also trace the outside diameter of the recessed can or make a 7 1/8" diameter template and use a "stab saw" to cut the circle by hand. The tool I prefer and use daily is a roto zip with the circle cutter attachment. The attachement adjusts to a wide variety of diameters and the roto zip is very easy to control. When cutting in sheetrock, the dust will go everywhere. A trick I've learned is to cut a basketball in half and slip it over the collar of the roto zip. This will contain the sheetrock dust in the bowl of the basketball while cutting your holes. If you need further assistance, please visit: http://electricalblog.gilchrist-electric.com
QUESTION: How do I install wall lighting fixture near water pipes? I want to install a wall lighting fixture in a bathroom and have it centered over a mirror. There is a stud behind the sheet rock where the fixture needs to be centered. Copper water pipes run along each side of the stud and connect to the sink below the mirror. I have a metal pancake box but I am concerned about using it in such close proximity to the water pipes. The house wiring is 3 wire (black, white & ground). The light fixture also has a ground wire. Can I use the metal pancake box? It probably would not be touching the pipes but would be within 1/2 inch...maybe less. Should I be using a plastic pancake? Thanks! My fixture has 4 black, 4 white and a ground wire. Is that too much to cram into a pancake. If so, any alternate recommendation will be appreciated.
- ANSWER: Metal box is fine just make sure to ground it as required, if just to ease your mind you can use a plastic pancake box but theres no requirement for it, I myself have hung hundreds of lights this close to plumbing on metal boxes. Having that many wires will be to much for this, you will need to caculate the amout of wire inside the box, each #14 conductor will take 2.00cu inches of box fill, #12 will take 2.25cu inches of box fill Count the Grounds as ONE either being #14 or #12 depending on what size wire you have in the box so if you have 2 blacks, 2 whites and the Ground in #14 you will have 10cu inches of needed box space and 11.25cu inches for # 12 wire The Cubic inches of space should be stamped or printed on the inside of the box you are wanting to use.
QUESTION: How would i install a light fixture in garbage can? Im using the garbage can to grow some peppers over the winter. How would i install said light fixture and how can i make it plug into the wall? Thanks for your time.
- ANSWER: Check out the link www.ehow.com/video_4419062_install-light-fixture.html Good Luck !
QUESTION: Can I install a light fixture where there is curretly an outlet? I currently have an outlet in the garage where my garage door is plugged in. I would like to install a light fixture in the garage and use the same wiring as the outlet. Is this possible, and if so how do i do it?
- ANSWER: you can just continue the wiring from the bottom half of the outlet and the current will continue to wherever you want your light . i am assuming you will install a light with a pull switch.
QUESTION: How do I install a ceiling light fixture if there isn't one there already? In my living room, there are 2 recessed lighting fixtures to iluminate my fireplace area. The room is kinda dark, even with a floor lamp. I want to install a ceiling light fixture in the center of the room. How do I run electrical to it?
- ANSWER: Answer #1 is mostly right, but if there is space above the room you are in business. find the studs by an hot out let, and at the celling near the wall drill a very small hole in the celling between the studs with a long bit, leave the bit in the hole or a piece of wire, get in the space above the room and move over 2" over and above the wall and drill a hole through the plate and drop a 3-14 wire down in the wall make a switch box hole above the outlet, take the outlet out "have the electric off" hook into the outlet with the wire now going to the new switch, your wire will be running across the celling to where you want the light, and make sure that the light fixture box is put on the Joyce. if you can do this you will then have bragging rights to all your friends.
QUESTION: If I have a lighting fixture above a mirror in a bathroom and what I really want is a fixture on either side.. ...can I simply open the wall, drill holes in the 2x4's, attach recepticles to the 2x4's, and splice two wires off each of the wires of the fixture that's already there and install the new fixtures? Is it that simple? I've installed new lighting fixtures before and have just enough knowledge to make me dangerous!
- ANSWER: sounds like you have the basic knowledge. just be sure to use the proper wire and proper sizes. what you most likely have to use is a 14-2 wire, available at any hardware store. when you make your splices be sure to use wire nuts and not just tape. what you are doing sounds ok but what will you do with the box where you made your splice? code states that the box must be "accessible", meaning don't drywall over it and make it disappear. put some sort of cover over it or hang a mirror to hide it. if the splice ever goes bad, it can be accessible for a repair. good luck!
QUESTION: How do you install a light fixture? I've read and watched videos on installing a new light fixture. It says to match the wire colors. Both of the old wires coming out are beige/tan/whitish. New wires, one black, one white, one ground. There is a green screw for the ground but how do you attach the new wires to the old wire if they don't match color?
- ANSWER: I am under the impression there is not a ground wire to connect to the grounding screw since you said both wires. One of the wires should be black but over time it lost it's color. The reason black should go to black is because the center terminal of the light socket is attached to black. The reason for this is if you are changing a bulb and touch the metal base you will not get shocked because the side of the base is attached to the neutral or white wire. You would need a volt meter to test which is the hot or black wire or you have a 50/50 chance of getting it correct. If one of the wires look darker then the other that is probably the black. I'm not telling you to hook it up incorrectly but the light will work either way.
QUESTION: How difficult is it to install recessed lighting? I have experience replacing outlets and basic electrical knowledge . I have a game room that is 21ft L x 14ft W. The room currently has one small ceiling mounted light. The wall panel has 1 free switch and 1 that controls the light. I'm guessing the free switch would control a fan if i were to install a light fixture with fan. I'd like to add 5 recessed lights to brighten the room. Is this job to big to tackle for a novice or can this be a reasonable DIY task? - Thanks
- ANSWER: The act of installing the cans isn't the problem. It is all that goes on before hand that is the real "work". A) do you have clearance above the ceiling B) can you accurately locate the centers of the fixtures without being on or too close to the rafters C) can you "fish" the wires from light to light if rafters are in the way D) do you know what type of wire to use and how to install it to Code E) do you need IC type fixtures or not F) can you read and follow instructions well (no insult intended, but it is a very real question) Just to name the more common things you need to know in order to install recessed lights correctly and without having to repair the ceiling after wards. If you have any related experience or better yet know someone who does then this may not be too hard. Other wise, you may do better to hire it out. Good luck either way.
QUESTION: How much to have an electrician install a new light fixture? My condo is open concept, the majority of the space being the "great room" in the center of this room is the sole light fixture, a large ceiling fan located above our living room area. To one side of the room is our dining area and there are no over head light fixtures.. I need a ball park estimate of how much it would cost to install a ceiling fixture so when I get estimates I know a little about what I'm talking about. Thanks
- ANSWER: There is no way for a competent electrician to tell on the internet how much it should cost. However, I would find a licensed, bonded, insured electrical service company that would: A) Come to your Condo at no charge and..... B) .give you an upfront quote for the job you want done. Don't pay for an 'estimate'. Don't ACCEPT an 'estimate'. If they can't QUOTE you a price, upfront, without being paid to do that then move on. A pro can tell you what it will cost total, upfront. That way there are no surprises. Also, look for a company that background checks their electricians. These guys are going to be in your home with you alone and have access to all your possessions, make sure that's not going to go bad...... There is a company here in town called Mr. Electric of Tucson that does all that. I'm sure there are more too. There are Mr. Electrics all over the US and Canada. They send background checked pros and give free quotes. There might be other too but these guys are the only ones I know in Tucson, AZ that do that. If your in Tucson they can be reached at (520) 795-5940. Google 'Mr. Electric' other places to see if there is one by you. Hope this helped.......stay safe.
QUESTION: How do I install and wire a new light fixture if I'm starting with a blank ceiling? My wife wants a light fixture in where there is not anything old to run off of. How do I run the wire and install the fixture, as well as how do I wire in a new switch?
- ANSWER: Call an electrician. It most places its illegal to do your own electric work without a license and permit. Or, figure out where you want it. Find the studs, Cut a hole for the switch and one for the fixture. Run a wire from the electric box to the hole you made for the switch, run a wire from that hole to the fixture. You need to make sure you run the wire parallel to the studs if you have drywall up. This will save you from having to drill holes through the studs.
QUESTION: How do I install overhead lighting in an old house? I am sectioning off a portion of my living room to create a first floor bedroom for myself. The house is approximately 100 years old and there is no overhead lighting in this area. I would like to install a ceiling fan/light fixture but the ceiling is plaster and there is no access from above to run wiring. Does anyone have any ideas? I thought about creating a tray ceiling and placing can lights around the perimeter maybe?
- ANSWER: Hi Brandi, Pulling a new electrical run in an older home can be difficult, frustrating and expensive. The best alternative is the new track-lights. Anyone can install them with the most basic knowledge and a few common household tools.
QUESTION: How to install hanging light fixture with only black wires and one bare silver wire? My ceiling box has one each white, black and copper wire. The fixture only has black and a bare silver wire. The rubber part of the black wire in the fixture seems to be connected and you can pull it apart resulting in two black wires with copper in the middle. How to connect these to the wires in the ceiling box? Used the advice from the first answer. Worked perfectly without killing myself. Thanks for saving me the cost of a pro.
- ANSWER: if it's a simple fixture, it really makes no difference which wire hooks up to which wire in the ceiling box. If you are really concerned, look at the two black wires carefully... you will see one of them has ridges on it... use that as the one connected to the black wire in the ceiling box, then hook the other one to the white wire. The silver one is ground.
QUESTION: How do I install a light fixture on a wall? I live in Jamaica. There is a fixture (if you can call it that) on my wall that has a bare bulb sticking out of it. I want to put something else on the wall that looks more appealing but I want to know if I can do it myself. I have no wiring experience. Someone at a hardware store told me it was easy and that all I have to do is connect the wires and screw the fixture on the wall. Is that true? jackofalltradesmasterofnone, thanks for the offer of help. There is an existing fixture but I want to put a nicer one up. How do I get in touch with you? My email address is HmcHistoryMaker@yahoo.com
- ANSWER: are you replacing one, or putting in a new one???replacing is easy, new one is a bit more difficult...i can give you step by step on either...but you have to let me know which... i emailed you,did you get it???
QUESTION: How do I install this miswired light fixture? In the process of removing an old bathroom wall light fixture, I inadvertantly pulled apart all the wire connections. I have three black wires, three white wires, and three bare(I'm assuming ground) wires. How do I reconnect them so that I can install a new light fixture (three wire setup, pos-neg-ground)? I'm willing to get tools to test if required--but I'm completely unfamiliar with the process so a walkthrough from someone experienced would be greatly appreciated!
- ANSWER: If you are not familar with electrical wireing you could get into trouble.But this is the way your ficture was wired.Get a small digital volt ohm meter to check continuity turn power off at breaker for that circuit. next with all wire,s seperated , not touching togather,have some one turn light switch on for you.This way you can isolate light switch wire,s from power and nuteral wire,s that go to other circuits.remember this light sw.wires use black and white from sw. just like power wires. so once you isolate sw.wire this will connect to black wire on light all white wires will connect togather including the one from lite and all bare wire,s will connect togather.If this is not clear enough for you get someone w/electrical wireing experience.Please be carefull.
QUESTION: How do install light fixture that has a black and white wire the ceiling has ground, red white, black wire?
- ANSWER: Since your home is AC (Alternating Current) the order of connections between your black, white, red white and black does not matter. Your ground wire is quite important where you hook that up. Most likely it is a bare wire or it may be have green insulation on it. If it were me, ensure you power is off by opening the supply breaker from your electrical panel. If you are going to be working on electrical devices, you should invest in a volt meter. You can get them for around 10 dollars at your hardware store. Check to ensure that the wires coming out of the ceiling have 0 volts (or somewhere less than 5 volts) from the red white wire to the black wire with your volt meter. Besure to also check from the red white wire to ground wire and also black wire to ground wire coming out of the ceiling. Next, always hook up ground first as a safety precaution. It sounds like you have that part figured out. But if there is no ground wire on the fixture, there is usually a green screw provided with the fixture and a tapped hole on the fixture somewhere to connect the ground wire coming from the ceiling. Finally, hook the black from the fixture to the black from the ceiling with a wire nut. And hook the white wire to the red white wire with a wire nut. You know the wire nuts are turned properly when the wire pair has a slight twist to them. To know for sure if you wire nuts are secure, give the wires a good tug while holding the wire nut. This will ensure you have a good electrical connection and the connection won't fail causing a possible fire. As always, if you are unsure, contact a licensed electrician. Always a good idea. Good luck
QUESTION: I am trying to install a light fixture that has a striped wire and 2 white wires connected...? So I understand them, but the ones that are coming out of the ceiling are a mess! I have 3 yellow wires wrapped together, 1 orange wire, and 4 black wires that were not being used in the previous fixture. Which ones should I connect? Thanks in advance!
- ANSWER: Anyone who can tell you which wire is which from their computer is not putting your safety first. If you have an electrical tester you can find your hot wire for sure but be careful!
QUESTION: How much would it be to install a brand new light fixture into the ceiling where one does not currently exist? Just an approximate amount. We moved our dining table into the sunroom and would like to install a new light fixture in the center of the ceiling and would like to know how much and what the project would entail. Thanks! no access from the attic =( yeah i am guessing it will be 0+ since they will have to take some of the drywall and ceiling out and replace it.
- ANSWER: Do you have access to the ceiling from above, such as an attic? If so, piece of cake. Figure 1-1/2 hours labor plus materials. I'd guess 0-125, depending on where you live. If there is no access, you are looking at a lot more. Have a local electrician give you an estimate, as there is no way to tell what obstacles there will be from here. Hope this helps.
QUESTION: I'm installing a light fixture in a ceiling w/a red, white & yellow wire but no black. How do I install? The light fixture has a Black, White and Green Wire sticking out from them and I'm working with only 1 switch. Thanks! There light fixture is from Ikea, no wiring directions. I tried Black to Red, White to White and Green to Yellow and the light turned on with the switch on the off position. When I turned the switch to on Position, the breaker shut off.
- ANSWER: The Red is a constant hot. The Yellow is the switch leg. White is neutral. Cap the red and tuck it in the back of the box. Connect the white to white and the yellow to the black. That should do it. When you said the light came on with the switch off that told me you had it wired to a constant hot. When you said the breaker tripped when you flipped the switch that told me you had a switch leg connected to the ground. Dead short. Attach the green wire to any bare wire in the box, the box itself or to the bracket the light mounts to.
QUESTION: How to install ceiling light fixture? There are 6 wires coming down from the ceiling: 3 white, 3 black, no ground anywhere in sight. The light fixture has 2 whites and 2 black and a ground. How do I wire this up?
- ANSWER: all black go in black and all white go in white and green or empty wire go in metal ground you do not need ground
QUESTION: How do I install a new light fixture with old wiring? My old wiring for the original light in the bathroom (which has only one switch) on the wall consists of 3 sets of wires coming out through the box. -one with a brown, a black, a ground (bare), and a red wire -other 2 have a ground (bare), a black, and a brown. all grounds are connected to the box in the wall. How can I install my new light fixture which consists of a white, a black, and a ground?
- ANSWER: Connect your ground to the other ground wires in the box. What you are calling brown is most likely the neutral (white) that has aged and discolored. Twist and cap the neutrals together. The black and the red are both hot - so one of them is extra unless it was used for 220v - so cap off the red. and attache the blacks to the light fixture. I know that doesn't look right, but here is why it works. The 4 wire coming into the light box is feeding the power (that 4th wire -red- could have been used to feed another circuit, but is not needed for this light) if you hooked the black to black and white to white of the light fixture it would always be on. Those 3 wires are going to the switch - so you connect the whites - that sends that neutral side of the circuit down through the switch - but you have to get it back up to the light - the only wire to do that is the black which you connect to the neutral side of the fixture.
QUESTION: What type of lighting fixture (strobe light) that is required by FAA to install on top of high rise building? what type is strobe light installed on top of high rise building that required by FAA
- ANSWER: They are called obstruction beacons. There are FAA requirements that dictate whether they flash or not. Obviously, the closer a structure is to an airport, the more stringent the requirements are on whether the building needs obstruction beacons or not.
QUESTION: How do you retrofit existing stage lights to LED Stage Lighting fixture? I'm in charge of the lights at a community theatre. We are trying to save some money, and I want to install LED Stage Lighting fixture from http://www.stage-lights.com/ProductsType/LED-Stage-Lighting.htm However, I haven't been able to find any that would fit our fixtures, or would be able to be turned in the correct direction (all that I've been able to find point up, not towards the reflector or towards the stage). We have standard Fresnel and Source 4's.
- ANSWER: I don't think you can adapt old lights to LED. Basically the old lights are designed for the light to be coming from one point. The filament of the bulb. Which is then focused through the lens by the reflector. LED lamps are basically a bunch of little bulbs so there is no single source of light. LEDs are also designed with there own little lenses to focus the light. So if you want to switch you will need to buy all new lights. I suggest you do a lot more research and actually talk to a person at the companies that make the lights.
QUESTION: how to install hanging light fixture with no color code wiring? we bought a hanging light fixture. as per instructions, black house wire should be connected to black fixture wire and white with white. But the fixtures wire is the same white color.
- ANSWER: If the wire in the fixture is all white, you can connect either to the black and then connect the other to the white. I have that on a light fixture that is at the top of one of my ceiling fans, and it works great. Hope this helps.
QUESTION: How do I install a new light fixture? I need to installing a new ceiling light in the living room. There is an existing single switch on the wall that operates some track lighting in the kitchen. Can I convert this into a double switch and have the other switch operate the ceiling light? If so, what tools do I need to do the whole operation? What kind of romex wire do I need? I tried searching online but the tutorials weren't that good and I couldn't find anything about the double switch.
- ANSWER: You should have your living room switch in that room not the kitchen( not sure but code may require it) so if they are shared walls why not cut out for a single switch on the opposite side of the kitchen switch they make different retrofit boxes for your application
QUESTION: How to Install Ceiling Light Fixture? The wires in my ceiling don't match the colours of the light fixture. The wires in the ceiling are white, green, red, and one small single orange wire. How do I connect these with the bare copper ground, black and white wires from the light?
- ANSWER: you'll need to test the orange and black to locate your switch leg if you have one ,green is always ground white is neutral black is 120v. orange is should no be there,it is high voltage color (brown orange yellow gray neutral) it may be used as switch leg voltmeter test is best...be sure to turn power off when installing after you find which wire is 120v.
QUESTION: How much should I pay someone to install a light fixture in NYC? I'm posting an ad on CL and I want to know how much to offer per hour.
- ANSWER: i would pay about 20 that is what i paid here in florida
QUESTION: how to install a flushmount light fixture.? I allready have lightbulbs in the ceiling with light coming out of them and everything but there is no fixture over it. It is so bright so i found one at lowes that is a flushmount I want to know how to install it.please
- ANSWER: turn off the breaker to it so there is no power running to the cicuit take down old fixture there will be two or three wires 1 black 1 white 1 green connected with wire nuts unscrew these reattach wires from new fixure make sure you have good connections remount fixture turn on power if unsure of yourself call electrition
QUESTION: is it hard to install a light fixture. I have taken the old one off but I have no experience on how to do this can anyone help me.
- ANSWER: Try here------- http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/home-electrical-lighting Best of luck
QUESTION: Can I use the wiring for a bathroom fan to install a light fixture instead? How do I find out and how do I convert it if it's not the right wiring?
- ANSWER: The wiring comes as a black, a white and a ground or green. Yes, you can convert it. Connect the ground, then the white (neutral) finally the hot (black). Make sure the switch is off before you connect it. You asked only about the wiring?
QUESTION: Should I install a light fixture without a ground wire? My wife recently purchased an antique light from the 1920's which I want to replace with a newer one in my 7 year old house. Should I be concerned if this light (because of its age) does not have a ground wire?
- ANSWER: If you have a green or bare wire at the fixture...Attach it to the fixture frame...If not it will work without it.....Be cautious of the old wiring in the fixture..The insulation could be rotten because of the fixtures age...l.l
QUESTION: What is the best way to install sheetrock on ceiling and cut the holes out for light fixture? What is the best way to install sheetrock on ceiling and cut the holes out for light fixture? Do you install sheetrock and screw it down away from light fixture then cut out the hole with sheetrock on ceiling?
- ANSWER: I install the sheet with 4 or 6 screws, then cut out the holes with a rotozip. Before I install the sheet, I mark out the location of the center of the hole. It's relatively easy to use the zip and end up with a neat hole for the light. Hope this helps.
QUESTION: How do you install a light fixture in a bedroom?
- ANSWER: Make sure the power is turned off before you do anything.What you do depends on if you are replacing an existing fixture or putting in a new. If it is a replacement unscrew it from the wall and carefully note how it is wired.Even making a drawing before unscrewing the wires.Replace the old with the new screwing the wires in as per your drawing .Screw the fixture back onto the wall. Turn the power back on.If in doubt or if you are putting in a new one ask an electrician.
QUESTION: how to install a light fixture? I have a 3-wire light fixture to install on a ceiling. The 3 colours are white, black, and copper ground. On the wall outlet box, there are also 3 wires: black, white and blue. I attach the wires (black-black), white-white, copper, blue. everything works fine when the circuit breaker is flipped on (the light switch was left on). When I go to turn off the light, the circuit breaker trips and the ground wire becomes scorching hot. What is happening?
- ANSWER: sounds like you may have a three way switch in the wall. when you flip it up it makes the black hot, when you flip it down it makes the blue hot. cap off the blue wire with a wire nut and attach the bare ground from the junction box if the box is metal. if its plastic and you can't find a ground wire coming into the box to connect to then just roll it up in the box because it's not going to do any good connected to a plastic box. if you want to test it you can connect the black wire coming from the light to the blue wire in the box. if the light comes on when the switch is down the you have a three way switch. another way you can do it is take the switch out of the box and take loose the blue wire that is connected to the bare ground up in the light box and connect it to a ground in the switch box.
QUESTION: is it against building codes to install gas lighting in a home ? i've seen that home in the late 19th century and early 20th century used gas light fixture to light their homes. would it be possible to install gas lighting in my house ? or would it be against building codes in California. thanks -Phil
- ANSWER: Wow good question, I was wondering this too when I seen my first gas light indoors, but it wasn't a working one. But here is a site to answer a few questions. http://gaslightguys.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/interior-gas-lights/
QUESTION: Installing light fixture on old work box but there is insulation right behind the wall? There is a junction box in the ceiling but i'm installing a new light fixture (one that can't be used as a box) so I went to install the old work box and there is insulation right behind the wall. Is it okay for there to be insulation packed against the old work box? Just trying not to burn my house down. Thanks guys! the "old work box" is like a junction box and made for installing light fixtures on existing drywall so i'm just looking for help with the insulation being behind the wall where i want to install it
- ANSWER: As long as the wires are spliced in the box and not exposed to insulation, you will be OK. The major concern is heat build up, if this is reasonably safe no problem go ahead
QUESTION: What kind of lighting fixture would i use for this? I have a vanity in my room but there is no lighting above it so its really hard to do my hair and stuff. I have a round mirror above my vanity and i need some kind of good source of light to put above it. I have looked at pictures and i cant find any light fixtures that you can just like stick on the wall because there is no wiring or anything there to install a light. Please help(:
- ANSWER: get a china ball and socket kit from IKEA. Put a hook in the ceiling, and hang it from that. Put a 100W light bulb in it, if the fixture is rated to handle it. This will be super cheap and effective, producing a soft, flattering light. Use additional hooks or buy cable staples to secure the cable to the wall, if desired.
QUESTION: i am trying to install a light fixture that has six wires but only two are coming out of the ceiling? the fixture that i got has two black wires (that says unswitched hot), one orange( that also say hot), two green and a copper wire. also one white wire. so there is a total of 7 wires.
- ANSWER: Oh lord. Well what can one say but the obvious,so i will take the quicke. Well tie the blacks and orange together,white to white copper and green wires are ground wires,enuff said
QUESTION: How do I install a ceiling fixture where there's no existing fixture? My home has light switches installed in the bedrooms, but no light fixtures. How would I go about finding the wires in the ceiling? Once I do, is there anything I should know? Everything that I see online pertains to replacing fixtures which I've done before but nothing about starting from scratch.
- ANSWER: The switches probably go to outlets for lamps. You would need to run power into the attic, it could be complicated and you may well need an electrician, unless you want to research it all well enough to know what you are doing so you don't burn down the house. It seems that you could rewire the switched outlets in circuit with the other outlets and run new wire from the switch up through the wall into the attic and over to the spot you want your fixture, put in cross bracing on the wood running across and install a box through the ceiling that you can run your wires through and then hook up the fixture. Kind of advanced if you don't really know what you are doing. Good luck
QUESTION: Installing light fixture into wooden beam? I have a wire running through an all wooden beam, I would like to install a light fixture. I know how to connect a light fixture my only concern is the wire sitting on wood. Do I have to somehow install a box, if so my concern is that the drilling is right in the middle of the beam, the beam is a direct support for the roof. All suggestions are appreciated, would really prefer suggestions from someone I can communicate back with. Thanks!
- ANSWER: some fixtures are direct mount with no box needed, you make up the wires in the fixture itself. You can otherwise buy adapter plates so that you don't have to drill in the middle, just be sure to pre-drill your holes for the wood not to split.
QUESTION: Scott was watching the electrician install a new light fixture? Scott noticed that when he was finished, he carefully wrapped some wires with plastic caps and black plastic tape. Select the best explanation of why the electrician would wrap electrical wires with plastic products. The electrical wires are made of metal, which conducts electricity. In order to make the wiring safe, he would wrap the exposed wire with plastic materials, which are good insulators. This keeps the flow of electricity contained to the light fixture and wiring. The electrical wires are made of metal, which is a good insulator. The plastic caps and tape are good conductors. This combination will limit the flow of electricity to only the light, the wires, and the home circuit. It will not allow any electricity to flow elsewhere. The electrical wiring is made of metal, a conductor. In order for the electrical current to flow properly, the electrician would need to place plastic materials, which are good conductors, at the ends of the wires. It is important to practice good safety measures when dealing with electricity. The plastic caps and tape are good conductors and will prevent someone from getting shocked. a b c d
- ANSWER: D

Replacing A Fluorescent Light Bulb

2012-10-22T13:08:00.000+08:00

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
Replacing a Fluorescent Light Bulb Transformer? I am behind in technology, I just found out they changed the Magnetic Transformers into Electric Transformers lol. There is no store that sells the exact version, however, they sell a version very similar. I am not very knowledgeable on this subject, so I wanted to know if you guys knew the answer. I want to replace the Advance Transformer R-2E75-S-3-TP with this model http://www.amazon.com/Satco-F96T12-Instant-Slimline-Ballast/dp/B000UX3YB4/ref=sr_1_13?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1325902416&sr=1-13 I was just wondering if this is safe/possible? For extra information, I want to use this for 2 F96T12 60W 1.15~Amp fluorescent light bulbs.
- ANSWER:
  I totally agree with Stan. The new fixtures come with electronic ballasts which should be more reliable than the old transformer ballasts. Furthermore, 48" tubes are commonplace, come in a wide variety of color temperatures, and are reasonably priced. We had an old, 8' fluorescent fixture in our laundry room. The ballast died a horrible and smelly death. We replaced it with three, 4' fixtures. It was a very good decision. If you are capable of replacing a ballast transformer, then you should be capable of wiring for an additional, 4' fixture to give you more light, if you wish. Just make sure power to the lights is off before you start work and make sure to get your work inspected by the municipality/county you live in.
QUESTION:
How do you feel about the incandescent light bulb being replaced with Compact Fluorescent bulbs? I don't like Compact Fluorescent bulbs because the light they give out is not the same as a regular light bulb. I prefer the use of halogens in my home. They use more energy, but the light output is much more crisp. How about you Do you like Fluorescent bulbs or regular light bulbs?
- ANSWER:
  I love the new CFL's CFLs save up to 75% less energy because they operate at lower temperatures and they last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. To me this sounds like a no brainier. I save money on my electric bill and they last a lot longer. I know they cost more upfront, but in the life span of the bulb it is a lot cheaper to use CFL's and recycle it than use the halogen bulbs. Everyone is right they do contain Mercury, but for a few dollars you can recycle them through the mail. It is still cheaper to buy and recycle a CFL. Than to use a halogen light bulb. I go to https://veoliaes-ts.com/RecyclePak/RecyclePak%20Order?id=1064 to recycle my light bulbs. It is fastest and easiest way I have found.
QUESTION:
Why the traditional Idea bulb as an incandescent light bulb is replaced by Fluorescent light bulb? why is it happening so ?
- ANSWER:
  Energy efficiency. An incandescent bulb wastes a lot of power as heat, as the filament must glow "white hot" to emit white light. The fluorescent light emission is a (near) cold process. Thus more energy efficient, less power is required to produce white light.
QUESTION:
In NYC ConEd replaced light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps but now I can't insert a regular bulb? Seems like there is a piece of plastic left in the light fitting which prevents a normal edison screw bulb from fitting in there... I guess to force us to use the CFLs. This happened in the bathroom with the vanity lights - so there aren't many standards for that.
- ANSWER:
  A CFL fits in the exact same socket as an incandescent. If you can't gt a regular bulb in there look for something broken in the socket. Do not look for a conspiracy.
QUESTION:
Any tips on replacing fluorescent bulbs with LEDs in light box displays? Several days ago,I have got a LED display from http://www.stage-lights.com/ProductsType/Outdoor-Full-color-LED-Display.htm yet I cannot figure out how to assemble? Are there any tips on replacing flurescent bulbs with LEDs in light box displays? Please have you suggestive solutions as well as instructions.
- ANSWER:
  You might as well try to consult seller from the original site.
QUESTION:
Can you use an incandescent bulb in a light fitting that has been used with a "compact" fluorescent bulb? Firstly, can I say that I know NOTHING about electricity or wiring or the ins and outs of light bulbs. I only have experience in changing them, so please be kind to me :) I've just moved into a property where the light fitting shades/covers have all been removed, and the previous tenant has left HUGE and ugly "compact" (though not really) fluorescent bulbs that prevent me from replacing the glass oyster covers (leaving the wires and everything visible and ugly). I have managed to get replacement glass covers, but I will have to replace the light bulbs with more compact ones so the glass will fit over the top... In my endeavors to do so, I bought standard (incandescent) light-bulbs (assuming the light-bulbs the previous tenant used were more for energy saving purposes). I had 8 lights to change, but I got to the eighth one, and I'm having issues!!!! I'm trying to figure out why the last bulb I'm changing won't work? When I put incandescents in the fitting, they don't work, but when I put the "compact" fluorescent back in, it does work. The fitting looks exactly the same as the rest in the house, but Is it possible that this light fitting is fluorescent-only? Is it weird that it's the only one in the house that is not accepting an incandescent bulb...? It probably means I need to go out tomorrow and buy a smaller fluorescent bulb and try it out...but just thought I'd ask for others' thoughts....
- ANSWER:
  Incandescent bulbs are very cheap so the quality control is not great. You probably just have a bad bulb. Have you tried changing it for another incandescent ? If you have, then it might just be that the connections on the fluorescents stick out a little more so they make contact. If this is the case then the lampholder should be changed, the terminals should be sprung so they make good contact. If they don't make good contact one spring is bad and the fitting needs changing. I know some people are not fond of compact fluorescents, but they have another advantage apart from being cheaper - they run a lot cooler and your light fittings will last much longer. It sound like the fluorescents that you were left are the big old heavy type with a thick glass bulb. But now you can get smaller, lighter ones. you can even get them with a frosted outer glass so you can hardly tell them from an incandescent bulb. All of our bulbs are compact fluorescents and not one of them is big or heavy. The light they give is brighter than incandescents, and our electric bill is a lot lighter too. Do try one modern fluorescent, you may be peasantly surprised.
QUESTION:
Is it possible to change a 4' standard fluorescent light fixture ballast and replace with a 3' bulb? Is it possible to use the same ballast from a 4 feet light fixture and use it with a 3 feet florescent light bulb?
- ANSWER:
  The fluorescent ballasts are designed to operate specifically desingned fluorescent bulbs. It takes a higher voltage to start a 4 foot fluorescent bulb than a 3 foot fluorescent bulb. You will definitely greatly shorten the life of the 3 foot fluorescent bulb if you connect it to a fluroescent ballast desingned for a 4 foot fluorescent bulb if it does not burn out almost immediately.
QUESTION:
How to pick standard fluorescent light bulbs? I want to replace my incandescent light bulbs with standard fluorescent light bulbs but the problem is that fluorescent light bulbs happens to be extremely dim and the area in which light spreads is really small. I bought a 150W replacement which consumes 30W but when i compare the luminosity and area which light spreads is worse than a 80W incandescent light bulb. Any tips on how to choose the right fluorescent light bulb?
- ANSWER:
  Fluorescent lights are good way to provide natural light spectrum to your indoor garden while cutting down the waste heat produced by the light bulbs. you can find better options as per your requirement...
QUESTION:
If we replace light bulbs with fluorescent ones, what do we do with the unwanted incandescent ones we removed? Won't they just end up in the waste stream? Is there a eco-freiendly way to discard them? I now have only fluorescent bulbs throught out my home, but I'm also stuck with a box full of incandescent bulbs I don't want and probably can't even give away
- ANSWER:
  I have to take a different position that a few of the other answerers here. While there are non-profits, schools, and poor people who might gladly accept your old incandescent bulbs, you must NOT let them get re-used. Why not? Because then there might not be an actual reduction in carbon emissions. Think about it. Your old bulb created a relatively large amount of carbon emission. Your new CFL bulb will create much less carbon emission, but it will still generate some. If you give your old bulb to someone who might not have otherwise used that bulb, there could well be a NET INCREASE in global warming as a result of your actions - as both your old bulb and a new one would be in use. "Our goal is not just to reduce our PERSONAL carbon emissions, but to think about how to reduce OVERALL carbon emissions, also." You will be hard pressed to find a convenient way to recycle your old bulbs. I fear your best bet is to simply throw them away. Yes, you are prematurely increasing trash going to landfill, but I believe that's a reasonable trade-off for the certainty of years of reduced carbon emissions. GreenJoe.com says "Out with the brown, in with the green!"
QUESTION:
How do I fix Fluorescent light? I recently installed 4(2 bulb) fluorescent lights -about a month ago. They worked fine til recently one bulb in one light went out. Replaced bulb same thing??? New fixtures so no "starter". If ballast was bad wouldn't it affect both bulbs?
- ANSWER:
  Its not the Ballast first of all. Sometimes bulbs will go bad fast depending on shipping mishandling where inner filaments are damaged some or manufacturers. Just replace both bulbs instead of just 1. See how long it will last. If they burn out again then you have a short in the end connectors. Dont bother changing the ballasts.I recommend a return for a totally new fixture before the manufacturer warranty runs out.
QUESTION:
Wattage ratings for replacing bulb with compact fluorescent? I have a light I want to get more output from for my aquarium. It has three bulbs and is rated MAX 3 x 60W. I just purchased new compact fluorescent bulbs that only actually use 18 watts but say they replace 75 watt bulbs. I just wanted to make sure CF bulbs using 18W, replacing 75W standard would be ok to use in that light fixture.
- ANSWER:
  The 60w rating is to stop the light fitting melting. The Compact flouro only generates 18W of heat, so it should be fine. Only thing to watch is that there is still some airflow around the lamp. The flouros have an electronic circuit in the base, and dont handle fully enclosed fittings very well. Also look for flouro lamps with a "daylight" spectrum, not the 'soft white' that mimics incandesent lamps. They should have a 'colour temperature' between 5,000 & 7,000 K. Soft white is 3 - 4,000K and has less of the light frequencies that plants need.. The colour temp bears no relation to the actual temperature or wattage of the lamp, just the colour of the light. Ian
QUESTION:
Does anyone get migraines triggered by fluorescent light (energy efficient) bulbs? I am dreading the day that they replace light bulbs everywhere with these. I am very sensitive and sometimes they can trigger migraines. I am wondering if anybody else has experiences this. I also can get migraines with flashing lights (like a light bulb that is going out at the office) or with a camera flash.
- ANSWER:
  These things can also trigger epileptic seizures. The tube flashes on and off with the alternating electric current that powers them. That's why you can see flicker in old dying ones. As far the light emitted by common fluorescent lights, it is NOT A FULL SPECTRUM OF WAVELENGTHS. You should have FULL spectrum fluorescent tubes to replace the bulbs, NOT mercury vapor tubes as is most common, and you will find the light easier on the eyes.
QUESTION:
How do I replace a fluorescent light with 3 recessed lights? I have a fluorescent light in my kitchen that I need to get rid of. I've read up about adding recessed lights and they all say "run the power source to the light." Okay, but I'd like to get rid of the fluorescent, and swap it with 3 new recessed lights. I've also read when you replace lights to make sure you don't go over the current wattage. As it is now, there are two 40W fluorescent bulbs. I'd like to replace them with 3 60W energy saving bulbs, so it would actually be 14W each (42W total). So finally my question is: can I simply kill power to the room, disconnect the electrical line from the fluorescent, remove the fluorescent fixture, put three recessed lights in the same vicinity, split the electrical cable into 3 parts (3 red & 3 white), and connect that to my 3 new lights? Is that doable or is there something I'm not understanding. Thank you for the help.
- ANSWER:
  You got it. Usually the wire will be black and white rather than red, but you are understanding it ok. Your wattage is fine. With the wire that is there you can even go bigger on the bulbs with no problem. 14 ga wire will handle 1400 watts total and that is the smallest wire used in home wiring. So even 3 100 watt bulbs would be fine. You are correct in your wiring. Make sure your connections are tight. Tug each wire to make sure it will not slip out of the wire nut.
QUESTION:
Shattered Fluorescent lamp bulb. Do we clean everything? We were fixing a kitchen light and had to replace those fluorescent light bulbs (the long tube ones you see in offices and schools), and one shattered over the sink and some shards got onto clean dishes. Do I have to rewash and clean everything? I heard these bulbs have mercury in them.
- ANSWER:
  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please, clean everything. I know it will take some time, but it's worth it.The big fat ones had a lot of mercury in them. (T-12) The newer ones (T-8) don't have any. This is why the old ones are being phased out.
QUESTION:
My loft fluorescent light isn't working. I've tried replacing the starter and bulb, which didn't work? ? I've tried both of these things, and have verified that the new ones work by testing them in a similar light in the kitchen. I've noticed a grey cable running from the light to the switch, and have checked inside the switch, all of which seems to be fastened correctly. Any help would be greatly appreciated. croasr
- ANSWER:
  Is it a fused switch, in which case check the fuse? Then check your fuse board- the light may have been put in on a dedicated fuse and the micro switch may have tripped. Follow the wire back and see if it is broken anywhere- it may have been chewed by rodents, though one would expect the RCD to trip in that case. Finally, have you removed or switched off anything else that is normally on? I’m thinking that whoever installed the light in the loft ran it from another circuit (a 'spur’) and it may be reliant on another switch being on. Finally, the fitting itself may be faulty. Apart from that , don’t know! Good luck- and be careful. Electricity kills!
QUESTION:
Do all 4 feet, two bulb, fluorescent light fixtures give off the same brightness? I would like to replace a flourescent light fixture in my bedroom. Do all two bulb, 4 feet fixtures give off the same light? I've seen some cheaper ones called utility lights. Will they work?
- ANSWER:
  Anything will work in there as long as the ballast can supply the correct voltage. It's pretty standardized. The rule of thumb is that if the tube will fit, it will light. Between coatings, operating pressures, gasses, electrodes, and voltages from ballast, there is a lot of variation in light brightness and quality. Just find what you like.
QUESTION:
What's the problem with my fluorescent light bulbs? About a month ago I replaced the fluorescent bulbs in my kitchen and now they don't come on all the way. It's like I am only getting half the wattage from them. Then some times it comes on completely bright. and it stays that way until I turn it off and the next evening turn it back on. What is the solution?
- ANSWER:
  Depending on how much of the time you use those lights, you might consider leaving them on all the time. It may even be cheaper in electricity consumption. Fluorescent lights consume a large power surge when turning on, but use very little power once lit. So if you turn them off and on several times per day you may well be better off just leaving them on. And that would also solve your starter problem.
QUESTION:
Fixing a burnt out a compact fluorescent light bulb? I have been buying these CFL light bulbs to save energy even though they cost more and they never even make it close to the life of a normal bulb. So when one of them burnt out the other day I took it apart and it had a circuit board in it so I put a new circuit board out of a new CFL in it and the old light bulb lit right up. So I was wondering if anyone knows what has to be replaced on the circuit board to make it work again.
- ANSWER:
  Look at where they are made. When I first went to CFL I bought the cheapest and they lasted about as long as a regular bulb. Now I buy only from name brands and none made in China. Some of those have been in use for more than 5 years. Also if you turn the light off and on often, a CFL may not be the best bulb.
QUESTION:
Why Are My New Fluorescent Light Bulbs Flickering? I recently replaced the incandescent bulbs in my ceiling fan light with fluorescent bulbs. Now, whenever I turn on my light, the bulbs seem to gently flicker. Is this common for newly installed fluorescent bulbs or might there be a problem with the wiring/installation?
- ANSWER:
  Crap bulbs, return them and get new one
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light bulb burned out and stunk up my whole apartment. What is that smell? Am I contaminated with? deadly carcinogens and toxins now? It happened early this morning, i left the bulb on all night and i woke up to this acrid, almost smoky smell, but there was no smoke. It turned out to simply be a burned out flurescent bulb. I replaced it with a new fluorescent bulb and everything is fine. But that smell was so gross, i had a dream that i was inside a fire, even though I wasn't. I hear that those things are full of mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium. I guess now my lungs are too :( When should I start making arrangements for my own funeral?? :((
- ANSWER:
  Probably burnt insulating varnish. I used to work in an electric motor rewind shop. I have always hated that smell.
QUESTION:
fluorescent light bulb burned out and stunk up my whole apartment. What is that smell? Am I contaminated with deadly carcinogens and toxins now? It happened early this morning, i left the bulb on all night and i woke up to this acrid, almost smoky smell, but there was no smoke. It turned out to simply be a burned out flurescent bulb. I replaced it with a new fluorescent bulb and everything is fine. But that smell was so gross, i had a dream that i was inside a fire, even though I wasn't. I hear that those things are full of mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium. I guess now my lungs are too :( When should I start making arrangements for my own funeral?? :((
- ANSWER:
  The burning smell is almost certainly from the plastic enclosing the electronics in the base of the CFL melting. The mercury in the sealed glass tube probably didn't escape and it wouldn't smell like that even if it did.
QUESTION:
Too Much Light - Low Watt Incandescent vs Fluorescent vs No Bulb? I have several ceiling fan fixtures with multiple light sockets and they produce much more light than I need when all the sockets have a bulb. So far my solution has been not to put a bulb in every socket. Does a Fluorescent bulb put out as much light as it's incandescent counterpart or would a switch be worth considering to decrease the total light output? Another option I've considered is very low watt bulbs. I could put a 15 watt bulb in every socket and the same total watts as 1 60-watt bulb. Would that equal the same light output? I want to be as energy and earth conscious as possible. Also, I rent so adding dimmer switches or replacing ceiling fan/light fixtures is not an option.
- ANSWER:
  4x15w=60w but for medium base you may not be able to find 15w bulb in the market. if that is the case use a dummy plug in the socket for safety purpose. flurescent bulb is expensive too bright and ugly.
QUESTION:
Help! Can I replace the fluorescent bulb in the "All Glass single tube strip light" for my aquarium? Or is it a disposable one piece unit? I can't see a way to get the bulb out and all the Pet smart and Pet co. ads don't say? Do I just replace the whole strip? Any info please!
- ANSWER:
  of course the bulbs com out ever fishtank light comes out if you could try to twist it if not take to your local petstore and ask them to do it for you while your there get a new light not being msart and good luck
QUESTION:
Is it ecologically sound to throw out a functioning light bulb to replace it with a compact fluorescent?
- ANSWER:
  Will be a waste if you go for flurescent that is not the most efficient, as stated by Pass me... LED is REALY what is worth it. you will be surprice how a 48 LED bulb that takes less than 2 watts is enought for a small/medium room, you just have to choose it in a good color preferebly warm white . Remmeber what gives you light is the amount of LUMENS of luminosity not the watts. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, right now, are more " eco-wise" then anything else most consumers can get a hold of (ie. incandescent) and currently save over 2000 times their own weight in greenhouse gases. But since my house is completely on solar / wind and we REALLY need to watch usage, every light is fitted with screw type (typical 110v lamp socket style) LED bulbs. They emit the same luminosity (typically 45) but at only 1watt rather then a 45w compact or 10w CFL. However they usually cost twice as much as CFLs which is twice as much (or more) as compacts. Still LEDs would be the way to go by far. Mercury IS the lesser of the evils, without getting toooo elaborate discussing specifics (ie. which burns ozone faster, other layer's besides ozone, disposing locations, methods, wind conditions, etc), one needs less mercury gas then most others, to obtain the same luminosity in a vacuum because of mercury's longer agitated spectral wavelength. Mercury's wavelength is more blue which is a longer more "luminous" or brighter light to say sodium, which is a more light orange or shorter less bright (red being the shortest) wavelength. so you'd need more sodium or other, in the tube or more electricity to the tube, to create the same luminosity as mercury.
QUESTION:
How to fault detect a bad fluorescent light fixture? A few of my under counter fluorescent fixtures in the kitchen don't work. they are all less than 3 years old. I replace the light bulb, but it still doesn't light. How do you test what part of the fixture has failed- ie the ballast, a connection, etc
- ANSWER:
  It is actually quite uncommon to find flourescent fixtures that use starters anymore unless they are very old. If the fixture is that old it would most likely be cost effective to simple replace the fixture. Starters are not expensive, but may be difficult to find and there are more energy efficient fixtures on the market today that also offer more pleasing light colors. If your fixture is newer and doesnt have a starter or even if it does have a starter there will be a ballast and this is the most likely reason for failure or the light to come on. A ballast is simply a transformer that boosts your household voltage to a voltage that is needed to cause the gas inside the tube to "burn". Standard mechanical ballasts will eventually wear out. This is often evidenced by visually inspecting the ballast where you will often times find a black tarry substance leaking from the case of the ballast. The ballast, by the way, will be located inside the cover of the fixture, it is not exposed. Newer flourescent fixtures will have an electronic ballast that often will look like a small printed circuit board like that as you may find in a radio. If you feel comfortable replacing the ballast it is a fairly simple procedure. First be absolutely sure that you have turned the circuit off before attempting to replace a ballast. Simply turning the light switch off is not good enough. You can check to see that the circuit is off by testing with a circuit tester that does not require live contact. These are available at hardware stores. The tester will "chirp" if voltage is present. Also once you think the circuit is off, check with a "wiggy" tester, also available from a hardware store. This tester requires live contact with the wiring. Always check your testers on a known live outlet before proceeding to the circuit in question to ensure that the tester works properly. Once you are sure the circuit is turned off you can proceed with replacing the ballast. It is a simple process of disconnecting the wires from the faulty ballast and removing it then install the new ballast matching the colors of the wires. To make sure that you purchase the correct ballast you can either look at the label of the old ballast or tell the clerk at the store about your fixture. Is it an 8 foot, 2 tube fixture or a 4 foot 4 tube, 18 inch single tube fixture, just let the clerk know. Again consider that if the fixture is old just replacing the entire fixture. Warning: You have been told to be sure the circuit is off before working on the fixture. Household current can be DEADLY if you come into contact with it. If you do not understand how to use a circuit tester or are at all uncomfortable with working with electricity call an electrician. This type of repair is quite inexpensive and you will be certain that the job is done right and safely. I will assume NO responsibility if you decide to perform this repair yourself. Often times it is much less costly to hire a professional than to put yourself at risk.
QUESTION:
Can you replace a incandescent bulb of 60W with a fluorescent one that's higher than 15W (its equivalent)? I understand that incandescent light bulbs have fluorescent equivalents. A 60W incandescent can be replaced by a fluorescent one around 13-15W. My questions is: Since you're using less than the maximum watts, can you use a 20W (and so on up) fluorescent bulb to replace the 60W incandescent one? Or is the new fluorescent one (up to 15W) all I can replace it with? Thx
- ANSWER:
  The rating on the fixture is a measure of how much power the wiring in the fixture can handle. Though a 15w fluorescent gives as much light as a 60w incandescent, it's still drawing 1/4 the power. The amount of light produced has no effect on the fixture; the only relevant thing is that it draws 60 watts of power or less. Therefore, you could use any fluorescent bulb up to 60 watts.
QUESTION:
If 217.8 million people replaced one 60 watt light bulb with a compact fluorescent 17 watt bulb, how much...? If 217.8 million people replaced one 60 watt light bulb with a compact fluorescent 17 watt bulb, how much energy would this save in the course of one year? Thanks!
- ANSWER:
  Your teacher probably wants you to multiply 43 watt times 24 hours times 217.8 million. That would be a lie for several reasons. For one thing, most light bulbs are not used 24 hours a day. Also, an electric home heater will have to use 43 additional watts to make up for the heat that would have come from the light bulb. When the home is heated by resistive electric heaters, the lighting is a free bonus. So switching to fluorescent may not save any energy, at all, in the winter. (However, fluorescent lights will save some energy if the home is heated by a more efficient method, like an electric heat pump.) On the other hand, the fluorescent lights will save more than 43 watt in summer because the air conditioner won't have to pump as much eat out of the house. The bottom line is, "Stupid question, and insufficient data."
QUESTION:
Why wont my bathroom light work? Its a fluorescent round bulb.? I replaced the fluorescent bulb twice, but it wont work. I checked for power to the 4 prong plug and its got 125 volts between the white & black wire.
- ANSWER:
  it sounds like it is the starters
QUESTION:
Do all compact fluorescent light bulbs make that annoying humming sound when you turn them on? I just replaced my burnt out light bulbs in my room with compact fluorescent ones & when ever they are on, they make a really annoying humming/buzzing sound like the larger ones do. Are there any particular types or brands that don't or am I stuck with the sound.
- ANSWER:
  the balasts or faulty and you may be near other electrical.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light bulb burning smell? So I began to notice a weird, burning smell when I realized that one of the fluorescent bulbs in my ceiling fan fixture was burned out. After a bit of research, I'm going to replace it with an incandescent and air out the room, and probably sleep in a different room. My questions are: should I be concerned about the chemicals that were burned, should I replace the rest of the bulbs with incandescents, and is my fixture ok?
- ANSWER:
  I'm an electrician and since I'm not able see what your CFL bulb looked like, I cannot "accurately" offer advice. Usually though, you would never smell anything emanating from a light bulb or tube unless the glass was compromised or the plastic base of the bulb was burnt, though most are made out of high heat material. Since you mentioned the ceiling fan that it was mounted to, perhaps the smell is coming from the fan? CFL's are very safe and one should not have to be concerned about what comes out of a small CFL sized for a fan.
QUESTION:
Internet resources for replacing a fluorescent light with an incandescent light? We have a very ugly fluorescent light in our kitchen and we would like to replace it with an incandescent light. However, when I've been searching online for how-to information, it's very hard to come by. Most information is just about the benefits of having a fluorescent light over incandescent, which brings me to my first portion of the question: even if I put in an incandescent light, couldn't I still put in the compact fluorescent bulbs and save on the energy consumption/cost? Secondly, I need to find a good resource that can explain the process for doing the switch. A video would be ideal, but anything with good step by step instructions and accompanying photos would work. Thanks!
- ANSWER:
  I think all you have to do is change the fixture, which is relatively easy as home projects go. With older fixtures(which is what I suspect you have) there won't be any incandescent bulbs to fit that. Thats why the whole fixture has to go. Just make sure the electricity is off to the room you are working in. Look for information on changing the fixture and you will find what you are looking for. http://www.ehow.com/how_2296169_change-light-fixtures.html http://www.squidoo.com/lightfixture I included a couple of links but there are many. A good investment is a how to fix thing around the house book. Many of these are at the library for free or at book stores to buy.
QUESTION:
How can I fix my Fluorescent light? I have a fluorescent light in my bathroom. It started to flicker so I replace the light bulbs. Two weeks later, it is doing it again? What is the problem? How do I fix it?
- ANSWER:
  Sounds like you need a new ballast, the black rectangular object inside the fixture. Turn off the light, remove the lamp/s and pan. Inside you will see a ballast with 8 wires. Disconnect the black and white wires. Now cut the red, blue and yellow wires, about 6 inches from the ballast. Remove the ballast supporting screw and the ballast will come out. It is heavier than it appears, so be ready. It may also be leaking a tarry substance, avoid touching this. Make note of the numbers on the ballast (eg. F40 - T12) and dispose of it. Install a ballast with the same markings. Connect the wires colour to colour, 1 red to 1 red, 1 blue to 1 blue, 1 yellow to 1 yellow and the same with the rest. Last connections are white to white and black to black. Use marrettes to make these joints. (Be sure to pick up new lamp/s and 6 # 31 marrettes when buying the ballast.) Reinstall the pan and lamps. That's it, hit the switch.
QUESTION:
What kind of aquarium light is better, incandescent or fluorescent? this is for a 20 gallon freshwater tank with a couple of goldfish. I have been using a regular 15W light bulb but the whole socket, etc. broke and I'm wondering if I should replace it with a fluorescent bulb or just keep it as a regular light bulb. Thank you! Oh, I forgot to mention -- all the plants in there are plastic. I had some problems with algae but got rid of all it with algae killer and cleaning the tank.. it's all under control now. The tank is in indirect sunlight so they do get some light at least.
- ANSWER:
  Fluorescent is my personal preference. Incandescent bulbs don't have as wide a spectrum and they produce too much heat. Fluorescent bulbs simulate sunlight to a degree, and it's better for the fish's overall health. I believe incandescents also promote algae. Fluorescent makes the fish look better and not so washed out.
QUESTION:
What kind of fluorescent light bulb for my kitchen? Any ignorance you see here is purely true...the lights in my kitchen have recently begun flickering and sometimes not turning on for awhile, etc and I know it's only a matter time, maybe even days, before I need to go buy more. This will be the 1st time I've EVER had to replace kitchen bulbs and I have a feeling the ones IN my 27 year old kitchen (no, I've only been here 2 years) are original, or damn close. When I went to go online to get a clue how much they cost I couldn't even find a match for what I copied off the bulbs. So I'm wondering what kind I need, then? I thought I measured 47" long but again, that is probably wrong since I saw only 48" online(or larger or smaller, of course). I'll climb up and measure again. But the print on the bulb says: Sylvania Supersaver cool white. Then is has F4OCW/SS 34W(I guess that part was the watts!) then it has E9S1 printed vertically next to all that. I'm sure for any handyman this make sense, but I didn't see 34W bulbs online anywhere.
- ANSWER:
  You need a 48 inch T12 F40 CW SS 34 watt. Very common. Replace then in pairs, never just one at a time. Twist them in and out. Hardware store, walmart, home depot.
QUESTION:
How easy is it to replace a fluorescent light fixture in the kitchen? I have a flourescsent light fixture in the kitchen which I do not like. The fixture uses two U-shaped flourescent tubes and is a pain in the neck (literally) to change the tubes. I'm thinking of changing the fixture into a ceiling light that uses compact flourescent bulbs instead. Because the fixture uses the U-shaped tubes, would replacing the fixture be any more difficult than if I was to replace a light fixture that didn't use a fluorescent light fixture? Is there anything special I'd have to do? thx
- ANSWER:
  The only thing u have to do is turn off the breaker, and install the fixture of your choice. you don't need to hire an electrician or anyone else. Kill the power...Verify that its off. disconnect wiring. black to black, white to white, green or bare wire to the fixture body..make darn sure your connections are tight, secure fixture to box or ceiling....sit back and enjoy
QUESTION:
While replacing a bulb, I pushed the socket off a recessed can light into the ceiling. How should I proceed? I am trying to switch to dimmable fluorescent bulbs and I have several different types of cans. The socket is not visible at this point. Do I need to disassemble the whole thing?
- ANSWER:
  you should be able to pull the whole can down or undo the ring and push it up so as to get to the socket to reconnect to the can
QUESTION:
Can a fluorescent lightbulb light up while unscrewing it? The light fixture in my bathroom has 3 fluorescent light bulbs. One of them was not on so I had to replace it. I turned off the switch and immediately started unscrewing the bulb. With every twist, the bulb would light up and turn off when it stopped. I imagine it has to do with static electricity but I didn't think it could be enough to fully light up the bulb.......either that or my house will burn down right?
- ANSWER:
  its not dangerous, i do that all the time and entertain other people by lighting a fluorescent tube without using utility power, and called it magic basically i hold a just removed fluorescent tube (still hot) and ionize the mercury gas by passing high frequency through my body (treat the fluorescent tube as if it is a capacitor) here is a good article about it http://www.amazing1.com/download/MAGICMAN_Instructions.pdf
QUESTION:
Are all light bulb dangerous? I just got a light bulb replace today and i just saw the package that it contains Mercury(dangerous, i know). I was wonder does all light bulb contains mercury. I read an article online saying that compact fluorescent light bulb can be harmful to human if the light bulb breaks and release mercury. I was wondering is there a mercury free light bulb. If there isn't, what is the best safe light bulb to use. I don't want these light bulb to be harmful to my kids. Thanks I like all your answer to this question they were helpful. If they aren't broken, i shouldn't be worry about them, sooner or later i will purchase LED light bulbs for eco friendly and for power efficiency
- ANSWER:
  there is more mercury in the fish that you serve to your kids than there is in those bulbs. when i was in school, the teacher passed a bottle of mercury around the class. most of us played with it. if you coat a coin with mercury (pour some in your hand and rub the coin in it) it gets really shiny. but by the next day, it gets dull because the mercury has oxidized. It is true that if you eat to much of the stuff, it's not good for you. but the amount in those bulbs isn't going to hurt anyone.
QUESTION:
Is it safe to replace R30 recessed light bulbs with regular 60W compact fluorescent bulbs (looks not a factor)? I have 8 recessed light cans in my basement but I really don't like the light temperature from regular R30 bulbs and they use too much power. I know R30 CFL bulbs are available in higher temperatures but they are still overpriced. Are there any risks of fire if I use regular 60W 6500K CFL bulbs for example?
- ANSWER:
  They'll work, I've done it, but the regular bulbs may or may not last as long. Heat tends to build up in ceiling cans and PAR 20/30 bulbs are designed for those higher temps. Some regular bulbs tend to go poof prematurely with the higher heat. Also, the depth is gong to be different. PAR 30 bulbs are usually deeper. A regular Edison screw in bulb is typically shorter and even if you adjust the can so the screw connector is as low as possible, the regular bulb won't stick down as far. This may limit the light dispersion. I put reflective inserts in all my cans for use with CFL's...makes quite a difference.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light bulb blinking? It's a philips brand, 32 watts with a push in 4 pin socket with three tubes. It has started to blink on and off. I presume this is a sign that it's reached it's service limit. I put in a fresh one to replace it and after about a minute it begins to blink as well. Ideas?
- ANSWER:
  You need to change the ballast out in your lights. Its easy turn off the power and take off the cover. See what voltage it is, see what the serial number is on the ballast (the big black thing). You can find one at almost any supplier. Then cut the wire close to the ballast and wire tie the new ballast to the old wires instead of ordering a whole new frame. A lot more cost efficient. Just match up the colors or the wires and your done. Lot easier than it sounds.
QUESTION:
I replaced all the fluorescent light bulbs in an existing fixture but cannot stop them from flickering-- ???
- ANSWER:
  You might need to replace the fixture's ballast.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light bulbs...why does one hum? I just replaced two fluorescent bulbs in my ceiling fixtures tonight...the first one popped in and lit up nice and brightly. When I installed the second one, in a different fixture, it lit up just fine but has a loud hum. Anyone have a clue why? Or what I can do to quiet it?
- ANSWER:
  All fluorescent lights require a ballast to function. All ballasts hum to some minor degree. Ballasts for 48 inch, 72 inch and 96 inch slimline lamps are sound rated C and D and are the least quiet. Both magnetic and electronic fluorescent ballasts give off a slight humming noise; harmonics is the technical term. Slimline ballasts should only be used in industrial/commercial applications where noise is not a problem. Energy saving ballasts, residential ballasts, and solid state (electronic) ballasts are sound rated A. By design an electronic ballast has reduced harmonics and therefore the hum is less noticeable than when using a magnetic ballast. You may hear them in a quiet room. However, in most applications, noise from sound rated A ballasts is covered up by the usual amount of ambient noise in a typical room. A loose magnetic ballast can be the cause of ballast hum. Check that ballast mounting screws are tight. If the hum is louder than usual the ballast may need to be replaced.
QUESTION:
how do you replace a fluorescent light and what if it doesnt turn on when you change the bulb? you wouldnt think this would be such a hard task, but i am having soo much trouble trying to figure out why these new bulbs wont turn on ...
- ANSWER:
  Hire an insured handyman. Mark
QUESTION:
does the landlord or renter replace fluorescent overhead lights? we have a fluorescent light on the ceiling of our kitchen, it is like one of those big bulbs with 4 feet of twisted pipe that looks pricey to replace. At first I thought as the renters we should replace the light bulbs, but my roommates insist our landlord should do it. I found here questions confirming my stance, but they all seem to be talking about regular screw in incandescent type light bulbs
- ANSWER:
  You (the renter) pay for light bulbs. I have the florescent ones you're talking about in my bathroom, only they are smaller, but they still cost about each...I pay for them. The landlord wasn't using them to make them burn out, you were.
QUESTION:
Why do only 2 of 4 new 48" fluorescent bulbs light up in a kitchen fixture? I have two kitchen ceiling fixtures, each holding 4 48" bulbs. I've replaced all 8 with new bulbs. In one fixture only bulbs 1 and 4 will light (unless you unscrew bulb 4, then 2 and 3 will light dimly), and in the other, only bulbs 2 and 3 will light. The house is 7 years old.
- ANSWER:
  Make sure the bulbs are properly in the sockets, and try putting the ones you know are good in the ones that aren't working to make sure you didn't get bad bulbs. Otherwise, the ballsats are probably shot.
QUESTION:
Compact fluorescent bulb don’t last long? My house is six years old, first thing I did, when I moved in, was to replace almost all the bulbs with CFL (Compact fluorescent light) bulbs. I intentionally left some bulbs like my walk-in closet, outdoor patio, and garage door opener bulbs since I use them for few minutes a day and I need instant illumination of the area. Now in six years I had only replaced my garage door opener bulb once except all other regular bulbs are original (total of 6). On the other hand I am replacing CFL’s almost every 7 to 8 months (its good that Costco takes the bulbs back). Here is the break down of bulbs 13 watt CFL on 5 fan fixtures – 20 (need to replace one of these every 2 to 3 weeks) 13 watt CFL on recessed fixture – 8 (need to replace one of these every month) 9 watt CFL on bathroom fixture – 12 (even fuse after a week, 4 working out of 12 in 8 months) 23 watt CFL on recessed fixture – 5 (replace 3 in last 6 years) 23 watt flood light on motion sensor – 4 (life 3 years, non fused) These bulbs are made by Philip, GE, Sylvania, and some other brands, depending what Costco carries. This is a new locality and I can only assume that my voltage is not fluctuating. Tell me an easier way to check voltage fluctuations (Voltmeters can't tell and oscilloscope is hard to bring from work) Here in SFO Bay Area we only need fan for like one month, so most of the year fan is off. Last time when I went to Costco to return CFL bulbs they checked my history and told me that "Sir, you have returned almost as many bulbs as you bought in last 5 years" which is actually true minus 40-45 bulbs installed in my house. It seems like higher wattage bulbs perform better than lower wattage. And on an avarage these bulbs are On for 3 hours. So, 3*30*8 =720 hours of life. My motion sensor bulbs are actualy the best performing CFLs.
- ANSWER:
  Fan....... the Vibration is killing the bulbs......... CFL's aren;t designed to take any constant vibration like a Celing fan can generate...... My Question is this... How many hours a day are these bulbs on?
QUESTION:
Installing a fluorescent light fixture to replace an incandescent bulb...? Do I need to turn the power off at the circuit box, or can I just turn the light switch off. Problem is... I have to get a key off of someone to get to the circuit box. This is paid work, but there are always logistic issues. At this point the fixture is in place, the buildings wires need to be connected to the fluorescent fixture (they are still connected to the incandescent bulb). Thank you for your answers. I get what guys are saying. I think a meter is definitely going to be what I need. Thanks for your careful responses. I appreciate it.
- ANSWER:
  The safest and most correct response is to turn off the circuit breaker. That being said, you can do it by turning off the switch, but it isn't recommended. If you have a meter you can turn off the switch and check the wires for power if there are more in the box than JUST those from the switch. I would do it myself, but I NEVER advise others to do it. I do not know your knowledge base, so I don't want to get you killed. Now if you are good at reading between the lines, you will know what to do. {wink} Al
QUESTION:
What do people think of "daylight" style compact fluorescent light bulbs? Daylight style light bulb have a color of 6500K. They are different, brighter, and I think I like them. However, sometimes I think they may make me almost feel dizzy and give me a headache, and I can't tell if I really like them or if I like the idea of liking them. You can really tell a difference between traditional wave length bulbs and these. The ones I used were GE daylight 75 (cool daylight color), though I think Sylvania and Philips make something similar. Thanks in advance for any replys. We are trying to decide whether to replace others in our house with these or take these back to the store.
- ANSWER:
  Well, the store wont take them back. Generally no one takes back light bulbs or batteries, at least they dont if the packaging has been opened. I can understand your frustration with the lighting quality. I installed dimmable CFLs in my house, and although the color is sorta close when they are all the way on, the color is too pink when they are dimmed. If you really want the right color, and I have bought these before, but they are pricey, look for LED bulbs. They cost 2 or 3 times more than CFLs, but they use even less energy, wheras a 100 watts of light equivalent in a CFL uses like 25 watts, LED bulbs consume as little as 10 watts, give off less heat and their color is more accurate, at least I think so. But, dont bother looking for them at Lowes or Home Depot as you wont find them there. I've only been able to find them on the Internet from specialty sites. Do a Google on "LED bulbs".
QUESTION:
are you annoyed that yahoo has replaced the light bulb symbol for an idea with a compact fluorescent
- ANSWER:
  Heh :) I hadn't actually noticed that... Now that you mention it though, yes, it does irritate me. I hate when companies try to subtly press eco ideas and modern morals. As if we are that susceptable. Plus, It's just annoying how even these tiny little classic familiar things are being consumed and changed by this 'eco revolution'.
QUESTION:
Will T10 fluorescent bulb work with a T8 ballast? Okay, so I have this 55 gal fish tank and I had two one and a half foot fluorescent lights on top (all I could rummage out of the garage) and I came across a 4 foot light fixture which was perfect as my tank is 4 feet long. anyway, its got a T12 ballast in it right now and a T12 regular fluorescent light in one socket and a T10 UV light bulb in the other socket. It seems to work just fine, I dont however know if that is a good idea first off...second off I am searching for black lights for it (or blue according to my girlfriend who says they are cheaper with similar effects) and the T8 bulbs are cheaper than the T12 bulbs and I have a T8 ballast that i can switch out. What would be better? finding a T12 blue bulb to replace T12 bulb thats in there? or switch the ballast to a T8 ballast and replace the T12 bulb with a T8 blue bulb? and would either of those options be okay with another T10 light bulb (which I didnt even know existed as this is the first one ive seen) OR should I attempt to find another T10 bulb to match the other one and stick with the T12 ballast??? any ideas??
- ANSWER:
  T8,T10 and T12 have the same pin size so will all fit your fixture. What is important if you can find them in the proper size is to also match up the wattage to what the ballast will handle. If you can do that you can use any of the three.

replacing a fluorescent light bulb

Repair Fluorescent Light Ballast

2012-10-20T23:25:00.001+08:00

Garage area gates have more professional programs than personal and must be flexible enough to handle these programs and the popular of a professional atmosphere.

The various requirements for professional garage gates requires that they be made different sizes and from different kinds of elements. Each professional entrance is built with a specific purpose, making them a highly personalized product to suit a customer's needs.

There are plenty of factors to keep in mind when looking for a professional entrance such as material, insulating material, and width, starting procedure, addition of windows, location, and approval needed. Unlike personal garage gates, professional gates are held too much higher requirements to ensure ongoing and safe operation in a professional atmosphere.

Commercial gates must be secure but also have to conform to OSHA requirements and local codes. They typically consist of heavy-duty hair for protection and they can be designed into a structure's protection system rather quickly. One safety feature that professional gates have is the break-away bottom area. This area is developed to allow it to provide way during an impact to prevent architectural damage to the entrance or any of the other elements. The break-away panel can be changed quickly without the need to call a specialist for a repair. Bedford Garage doors - leading garage door manufacturers

There are several kinds of professional garage gates available that vary in elements, starting procedure, and function. The three main basic kinds of professional garage gates are metal, metal sectional, and moving metal. Aluminum gates come in styles developed to consist of windows to allow more light and exposure. This makes metal gates perfect for internal categories as well as consolidating outdoor and inside areas.

Aluminum gates are most commonly used in fire programs and car shops. Steel sectional gates are consisting of several metal panels lightweight together. Steel sectional professional gates have multiple evaluate and insulating material options that give rise to its protection and heating and cooling capabilities. Some metal sectionals can also come hard or stucco imprinted. The last kind of professional entrance is moving metal.

These gates are corrugated with pieces of metal that allow it to be combined up expense. The corrugations also provide it with the strength to hold up against effects. There are several kinds of moving metal gates that serve different professional requirements. One kind of moving metal entrance is the service, or protection entrance. These gates are available with the traditional metal panels or punctured panels to allow for circulation and exposure.

About the author:

Source: http://www.sooperarticles.com/home-improvement-articles/storage-garage-articles/what-look-when-choosing-new-garage-door-1050161.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
How to change a ballast on a fluorescent lighting fixture? I'm applying for a new job as a maintenance technician at a local college and need to know how to repair and replace ballasts attached to fluorescent lighting fixtures. Generally what are the steps taken to do so and what kind of tools would you use?
- ANSWER:
  Pie mash found a great one for you. It really is very simple. You just need to make sure the new ballast is the right voltage 120 or 277. But most are dual voltage now. You need to make sure that the ballast you are putting in will do the same light bulbs you have. If you can not shut the light fixture off, cut the hot wire first. That wire is gonna hurt if you are not careful but the other wires will hurt more. You can't mess it up if you just wire nut color to color.
QUESTION:
Question about fluorescent light fixtures. Do they unplug? Suppose you have to service a fluorescent light fixture in an office. However, you can't turn off the circut as that would shut down power to other areas of the office, which people don't want to happen. Could you do things such as replacing the ballast or a cracked socket. I would imagine that you couldn't do this. If I'm right, how could someone repair a fluorescent light fixture of the kind you find in offices and buildings. Is there a way to unplug it like you can with the ones you commonly find in people's basements?
- ANSWER:
  you can only unplug it if it has been wired that way. If it is wired in a series with other lights, then there is no way and than killing power, to shut it off.
QUESTION:
How long is an unreasonable length of time to wait for an apartment maintenance repair? Eight days ago, a faulty ballast on the light fixture in my bathroom (which appears to be so old it's probably from the '80s) caused one of my fluorescent lights to burn and melt, and since then I've had no functioning permanent light fixture in my windowless bathroom. (Tonight, my overhead bedroom light also went out, probably a ballast again.) Is more than a week a reasonable time to wait for a repair like this? It's hindering my ability to do things such as cleaning, which requires a decent light source. I recently waited over two months to have a dripping kitchen faucet replaced, and informed my property manager over 4 months ago of water leaking through the top of my window that has never been looked at or repaired. I think all of these are excessive maintenance wait times, but my property manager continually tells me that the maintenance person is overloaded with work, as though I should sympathize and be patient. When I called about the bathroom light fixture to ask if it was a fire hazard, she said that the maintenance person lived too far out of town to come fix it quickly. Further, the old tiles in my bathroom floor are crumbling, and some of the exit-sign lights are out in the building. In your opinion, would any of this warrant a call or complaint to the local inspector? I've been leery to stir up animosity with my property manager because she's treated me relatively well and gives me good perks in the building, such as letting my two cats stay at no extra charge.
- ANSWER:
  I am a maintanance man and we always try to handle request within a week any longer is not ok. a dangerous problem like yours should be done asap. sounds like your landlord is short handed, not your problem she has a duty as a property owner she should hire more help. ( maybe remind her in a nice way)

repair fluorescent light ballast

Install A Ceiling Light Fixture

2012-10-19T11:16:00.002+08:00

Many homes across America have outdoor areas that can be both aesthetically and practically enhanced by outdoor lighting. Light fixtures that are safe and suitable for use in the great outdoors have evolved far beyond the artful trailing of chains of fairy lights amongst the branches of trees in your garden.

Nowadays, you have the luxury of taking your pick from a variety of fixed ceiling lighting fixtures, post lights and outdoor wall sconces that are suitable for use in the open air, besides in temporary or permanent outdoor buildings and shelters. When considering outdoor lighting, you are readily forgiven for automatically thinking about decking and BBQ areas, garages, gazebos, marquees, sheds and other outbuildings. Of course, you are absolutely correct inasmuch as there are numerous eminently suitable light fixtures and fittings for each and every one of these areas. What you might be forgetting is the very first thing that yourself and your visitors encounter before they even arrive at your front door - your driveway or front path. You will be amazed at just how many post mounted outdoor light fixtures there are to tempt you. Not only is lighting for the external approach to your home highly practical, it is also an extension of your interior home lighting.

Some styles have lanterns hanging from post mounts, whilst others ditch the dangle and have the appearance of burning candlesticks or street lamps. As you would expect, high quality outdoor lighting goes through the most rigorous of safety trials to ensure that it is robust enough to shed illumination in a variety of extreme conditions.

What you start with on your approach, you can elaborate upon in your garden. Outdoor wall sconces are available in matching or similar styles to ranges of post mounted outdoor lighting. Winningly, this not only allows you to use them separately in different outdoor areas, but mix and match them in several. As for the outdoor buildings and rooms that initially sprung to mind when pondering outdoor lighting, there is far from a shortage of light fixtures tailor made for barns, breezeways, garages, mudrooms, porches and most other places that are external to your house itself. Flush and hanging fixtures fulfill not only the obvious practical purposes of shedding light on to outdoor darkness, they furthermore provide contemporary or rustic lighting ambiance befitting of the rest of your premises.

At Crescent Harbor Lighting, you can peruse ranges of both indoor and outdoor lighting that represent optimum quality at affordable prices. Its outdoor range encompasses models that purely fulfill practical functions and, at the opposite end of the spectrum, that additionally provide enchanting decorative lighting to home exteriors.

About the author:

Source: http://www.sooperarticles.com/home-improvement-articles/outdoor-lighting-enchanting-besides-practical-679038.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
How to install ceiling light fixture? There are 6 wires coming down from the ceiling: 3 white, 3 black, no ground anywhere in sight. The light fixture has 2 whites and 2 black and a ground. How do I wire this up?
- ANSWER:
  all black go in black and all white go in white and green or empty wire go in metal ground you do not need ground
QUESTION:
How do I install a ceiling light fixture if there isn't one there already? In my living room, there are 2 recessed lighting fixtures to iluminate my fireplace area. The room is kinda dark, even with a floor lamp. I want to install a ceiling light fixture in the center of the room. How do I run electrical to it?
- ANSWER:
  Answer #1 is mostly right, but if there is space above the room you are in business. find the studs by an hot out let, and at the celling near the wall drill a very small hole in the celling between the studs with a long bit, leave the bit in the hole or a piece of wire, get in the space above the room and move over 2" over and above the wall and drill a hole through the plate and drop a 3-14 wire down in the wall make a switch box hole above the outlet, take the outlet out "have the electric off" hook into the outlet with the wire now going to the new switch, your wire will be running across the celling to where you want the light, and make sure that the light fixture box is put on the Joyce. if you can do this you will then have bragging rights to all your friends.
QUESTION:
Trying to install ceiling light fixture. what am i doing wrong? Ok, i have power from service panel, at the light Hot wire goes to switch leg, neutral goes to fixture. Black wire from switch goes back to fixture. When i hook up light nothing happens. But if i connect white wire from fixture to ground, the light and switch works. What the hell is wrong. The light that was there was working until the other day. The upstairs neighbor blew a house and kept shutting off my power. The third time he did it the original fixture no longer worked. Any suggestions, im baffled.
- ANSWER:
  Somewhere in the process a couple of amateur DYI electricians doing two different jobs in different common areas have crossed some wires some where in the system. You my friend are one of them. Hook it the way it worked, and forget about it. If you got it to work, and it didn't short out, it's OK. The colors don't match because the other idiot probably crossed the wires when he screwed around on his end. Papaw
QUESTION:
trying to install a ceiling light fixture that works with two switches but has extra white wire in ceiling? Light goes on but switch at top of stairs doesn't shut it on or off. Only switch in the room works. Connections are: in ceiling black and red capped, two black from ceiling attached to black from light fixture & capped, two white from ceiling attached to white from light fixture & capped and one white left in ceiling capped. Should this white one be capped with the other white wires? Would it be the wire for the light switch at the top of the stairs. Please advise. Thank you:)
- ANSWER:
  Hey, The white wires are usually neutrals and they are normally all caped together. Did both switches originally control the one light? You need both switches to be 3-way switches other wise it wont work. Please consult with an electrician, what you are doing is dangerous. -Gregg
QUESTION:
How to install a ceiling light fixture? In the ceiling there are five wires: 7 green wires capped together 5 orange wires capped together 3 black wires capped together 5 white wires capped together Another set of white wires, 3 capped together The lamp is a basic pendant, with a black, white and green. Which wires do I attach these to? Thanks, Brent
- ANSWER:
  You have to figure which wire is the switch leg from the switch. It's either the black or orange. If it's a 120v circuit, my guess is the orange. Make sure the power is off at the breaker before you open any of those splices especially the whites! That's a lot of wires for one box. Once you find the switch leg, the rest is white to white and green to green.
QUESTION:
Trying to install ceiling light fixture but it doesn't want to stay put.? I'm trying to install a ceiling light fixture in an old house but the screws don't want to stay in place because one of the holes in the electrical box looks really corroded, so basically the fixture just hangs down by the wires. This is my first time installing a light fixture so please bare with me if I'm not explaining it correctly. Here are some pictures of the fixture. Any help would be most appreciated. http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj204/dracon45/Light%20Fixture/
- ANSWER:
  good pictures, It looks easy but you've got some work to do to make this safe. #1 that right side part of the box that the screw goes into is broken out so as others have said replace the box. It's an oldy so the one you put in may be a slightly different size. In your pictures it shows electrical tape on the black wire. If the insulation on this wire is damaged that could become a fire hazard. turn off the power to the fixture at the breaker or fuse box. Remove the fixture. Unscrew the box from the structure. When you pull out the box some insulation from the ceiling may fall out. Inspect the wiring. If it's damaged you will need to access the line in the attic and install a junction box with a new wire to the fixture. If this is too big a job for you then hire a qualified electrician. It's not worth your house and life to leave an unsafe wire. Sometimes these seemingly little upgrades get bigger when we get into them. We've all been there. Good Luck!!
QUESTION:
How do you install pull chain switch into a ceiling light fixture? We have 3 ceiling fixtures in our kitchen (2 ceiling fans & 1 light fixture). We are trying to install a pull chain switch in 1 above the sink where you can turn it off & on with chain & the other 2 can stay on to keep the fans running. We have a white & black wire coming out of ceiling & 2 white wires & 2 black wires on the light fixture itself & now that we added the pull chain switch, we have 2 black wires coming from it. How do we connect these all together to make this work right? We tried once & it appears we did something wrong because the lights are very dim & just don't look like they should for their wattage. Please help!
- ANSWER:
  I always hate diagnosing things long distance because things are not always as they are described. My guess would be tie the two whites together at the fixture and connect them to the white in the ceiling white generally signifies the neutral leg. Then tie the two black legs on the fixture together and to one side of the pull chain switch the other black leg on the pullchain switch hooks to the black wire in the ceiling. This adresses the hot leg. Two things I dont know why the fixture has 2 whites and 2 blacks unless it has 2 sockets, if so this should work. Finally and hopefully there should be a bare copper wire in the ceiling which is a grounding wire and a green or bare wire on the fixture which should be tied together. If this doesnt help call an electrician like I said its hard to diagnose things long distance. Always turn off the power before attempting any electrical repair.
QUESTION:
How do I install a ceiling lighting fixture? I've never wired before, but I'm good at following instruction/direction. I need a small ceiling fixture in my pantry. The nearest outlet is about 5 feet down on the wall. I'd like to install either a recessed light fixture or even a single spot. If there's a website for this, can you direct me?
- ANSWER:
  I would implore you to call a electrician. There are numerous nuances in a simple job(for a electrician)that a layman would not be able to identify and take care of. Wire stapling distance,penetration of walls and headers,installation of the new fixture box according to weight, and the proper termination of the switch leg,neutral,ground,and hot. Not to mention the wall damage that you might incure opening it up without the experience of knowing which way to route the wire. Do yourself a favor and call a pro.
QUESTION:
How much would it be to install a brand new light fixture into the ceiling where one does not currently exist? Just an approximate amount. We moved our dining table into the sunroom and would like to install a new light fixture in the center of the ceiling and would like to know how much and what the project would entail. Thanks! no access from the attic =( yeah i am guessing it will be 0+ since they will have to take some of the drywall and ceiling out and replace it.
- ANSWER:
  Do you have access to the ceiling from above, such as an attic? If so, piece of cake. Figure 1-1/2 hours labor plus materials. I'd guess 0-125, depending on where you live. If there is no access, you are looking at a lot more. Have a local electrician give you an estimate, as there is no way to tell what obstacles there will be from here. Hope this helps.
QUESTION:
I'm installing a light fixture in a ceiling w/a red, white & yellow wire but no black. How do I install? The light fixture has a Black, White and Green Wire sticking out from them and I'm working with only 1 switch. Thanks! There light fixture is from Ikea, no wiring directions. I tried Black to Red, White to White and Green to Yellow and the light turned on with the switch on the off position. When I turned the switch to on Position, the breaker shut off.
- ANSWER:
  The Red is a constant hot. The Yellow is the switch leg. White is neutral. Cap the red and tuck it in the back of the box. Connect the white to white and the yellow to the black. That should do it. When you said the light came on with the switch off that told me you had it wired to a constant hot. When you said the breaker tripped when you flipped the switch that told me you had a switch leg connected to the ground. Dead short. Attach the green wire to any bare wire in the box, the box itself or to the bracket the light mounts to.
QUESTION:
How much to have an electrician install a new light fixture? My condo is open concept, the majority of the space being the "great room" in the center of this room is the sole light fixture, a large ceiling fan located above our living room area. To one side of the room is our dining area and there are no over head light fixtures.. I need a ball park estimate of how much it would cost to install a ceiling fixture so when I get estimates I know a little about what I'm talking about. Thanks
- ANSWER:
  There is no way for a competent electrician to tell on the internet how much it should cost. However, I would find a licensed, bonded, insured electrical service company that would: A) Come to your Condo at no charge and..... B) .give you an upfront quote for the job you want done. Don't pay for an 'estimate'. Don't ACCEPT an 'estimate'. If they can't QUOTE you a price, upfront, without being paid to do that then move on. A pro can tell you what it will cost total, upfront. That way there are no surprises. Also, look for a company that background checks their electricians. These guys are going to be in your home with you alone and have access to all your possessions, make sure that's not going to go bad...... There is a company here in town called Mr. Electric of Tucson that does all that. I'm sure there are more too. There are Mr. Electrics all over the US and Canada. They send background checked pros and give free quotes. There might be other too but these guys are the only ones I know in Tucson, AZ that do that. If your in Tucson they can be reached at (520) 795-5940. Google 'Mr. Electric' other places to see if there is one by you. Hope this helped.......stay safe.
QUESTION:
how to install a ceiling fan with existing 3 bulb light fixture? I have a ceiling light now with 3 bulbs. How can I take it down and safely put up a ceiling fan with lights?
- ANSWER:
  Jim S. got it right and Acres 12 is probably kicking himself for not mentioning the need to test the existing box. If in doubt about the ability of the existing box to permanently support the weight of the fan, call a professional to do the work and put the liability on them. Money well spent. Good luck.
QUESTION:
I need to install a ceiling light. What is the average cost for installation (not the actual fixture)? None of the bedrooms in my apartment have a light source. I would like to install ceiling lights on a blank ceiling and realize I will probably need to hire a professional electrician to do that. Any idea what it may cost me per bedroom (assuming this is a standard job and that there are no out of the ordinary complications)?
- ANSWER:
  Provided that there is a switch on the wall already that controls a wall outlet, the cost of a job like that should be about 0 for the first room, and 0 for each additional room. The cost of the permit should also be between and 0. The biggest risk for a complication comes from having to cut the drywall because there is, no access to the wallspace or attic, especially if you have a neighbor living above you. Bottom line is, if you have three bedrooms you want to hang lights in, you should be able to do this for under 0. Hope this answer was helpful. Good luck and God Bless!! Steve
QUESTION:
What is involved in installing a ceiling mounted light fixture on a blank ceiling? I would like to have a light installed on a ceiling in a small bedroom. I am wondering if an electrician could do this without tearing up the whole ceiling. Our home is over 30 years old, and there's never been a light on this ceiling. We were planning on painting too, but not for another year maybe.
- ANSWER:
  If you have an attic space over your bedroom, a good electrician should have no problem installing a light without tearing up your ceiling at all. If its a vaulted ceiling or has no access, then it may be necessary to cut a few hand holes to run the wires. This is a common installation for most electricians but I dont recommend doing it yourself. Call a proffessional.
QUESTION:
How do I install a ceiling fixture where there's no existing fixture? My home has light switches installed in the bedrooms, but no light fixtures. How would I go about finding the wires in the ceiling? Once I do, is there anything I should know? Everything that I see online pertains to replacing fixtures which I've done before but nothing about starting from scratch.
- ANSWER:
  The switches probably go to outlets for lamps. You would need to run power into the attic, it could be complicated and you may well need an electrician, unless you want to research it all well enough to know what you are doing so you don't burn down the house. It seems that you could rewire the switched outlets in circuit with the other outlets and run new wire from the switch up through the wall into the attic and over to the spot you want your fixture, put in cross bracing on the wood running across and install a box through the ceiling that you can run your wires through and then hook up the fixture. Kind of advanced if you don't really know what you are doing. Good luck
QUESTION:
How do I install a ceiling light fixture using an existing hole when the hole is too big? I tried to use the existing electrical box, but one of the mounting screw holes is stripped and the box is barely able to stay in place because the original work was done very sloppily and the hole is too big. Even if I can get around the stripped threads on the screw hole, I'm afraid to hang anything from the box for fear there is not enough edge surface attached to the drywall, and therefore will not be able to handle any weight, let alone the weight of a metal-framed, small chandelier. The existing box is white and uses a U-shaped, metal brace on the inside of the wall which the box attaches to using two slotted screws. I tried to use an "old work" box from Home Depot that uses three "ears" or flaps that rotate into place when turning the screws, and act like little vices that squeeze the drywall between the flaps and the outer flange. That didn't work because the hole is the same diameter and the outer edge of the boxes flange, so the whole box went right through the hole!
- ANSWER:
  First remove the old box! It is not designed to hold up the weight of a ceiling fan. Go to Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace, where ever and get a Raco 1-1/2" Ceiling Fan/Heavy Fixture Installation Brace and Box Item #: 73178 Model: 935 .98 or something similar. You can print the listing below for reference. This is designed to do what you want. If the ceiling fan does not cover the existing hole you can patch it, or as suggested earlier use a ceiling medallion. Good luck!
QUESTION:
How do I install a ceiling light fixture using an existing hole, but the hole is too big? I tried to use the existing electrical box, but one of the mounting screw holes is stripped and the box is barely able to stay in place because the original work was done very sloppily and the hole is too big. Even if I can get around the stripped threads on the screw hole, I'm afraid to hang anything from the box for fear there is not enough edge surface attached to the drywall, and therefore will not be able to handle any weight, let alone the weight of a metal-framed, small chandelier. The existing box is white and uses a U-shaped, metal brace on the inside of the wall which the box attaches to using two slotted screws. I tried to use an "old work" box from Home Depot that uses three "ears" or flaps that rotate into place when turning the screws, and act like little vices that squeeze the drywall between the flaps and the outer flange. That didn't work because the hole is the same diameter and the outer edge of the boxes flange, so the whole box went right through the hole!
- ANSWER:
  put in a bar mount box. the bar go to side by side on the stud trighten up then put your box in it willwork then they uses this for fan in the ceiling.
QUESTION:
I installed a new ceiling light fixture but now the wall switch no longer turns the unit on and off. Why? The ceiling box has two white wires twisted together, two black wires twisted together, and one red wire capped. The light fixture has one white wire, one black wire and one copper wire that is attached to the metal frame of the fixture. I attached the white to white, black to black and and the copper wire to the ground screw in the ceiling box. The new fixture lights up but will not turn off and on.
- ANSWER:
  Attach black from new fixture to the red wire in ceiling box and bet you it will work just fine. They ran the hot from the box down to the switch and back. Keep the two black wires attached to each other, it feeds the switch. You can take off the face plate for the switch and verify this is correct by looking at the wires attached to the switch, I would have done that from the get go.
QUESTION:
I am having problems with installing a ceiling fan/light fixture? Hello, I installed a celing fan/light fixture on Saturday, and lastnight I heard a buzzing noise coming from one of the lights. Next thing I knew one of the globes shattered. Earlier that day (Sunday) one of the light bulbs had blown, I had grounded the ground wire to the fixture even though the previous celing fan/light fixture wasn`t grounded, could that have been my problem? Or could if have been that the blue and black wires are twisted togther? Can you twist the blue and white wires together, the only wires showing coming from the ceiling are the white and black wires?
- ANSWER:
  The blue wire should connect to the black wires. It's the line voltage for your light kit. And the white wires should all be together just as you have them. Which only leaves the ground. You didn't mention how you ground it. It should go to the bare copper wire which I'm sure you know. Sounds more to me like you just happened to get one with a bad light kit but it's hard to know without putting a meter on it. I would take the light kit off and take it back to where you bought it. Usually they'll just give you another one from another new one and you won't have to take the whole fan down, unless you bought the light kit separately which is no problem then.
QUESTION:
How do I install a new light fixture where there was not one before? The room I want to add the fixture to already has a light in the room, its a light/ceiling fan, I want to keep that, and then about 6 feet away install a new fixture to go over my desk. I Googled 'how to install light fixtures' and all I got were videos assuming you knew where the cable was coming from and the hole was already made. Not really what I'm looking for, any ideas how to get this started? btw, I am definitely an amateur when it comes to this stuff :)
- ANSWER:
  If you are not sure what to do, for safety sake get an electrician.
QUESTION:
Trying to install a Ceiling Fan, no “Ground Wire” in the old light fixture. 30+ year old building. HELP!? Please bear with me here, I will put things in VERY simple terms to make sure that I am being clear: Long story short, there was a light installed in the ceiling of my bedroom. I wanted to replace it with a small Ceiling Fan. I purchased a small fan with a light. I removed the light fixture and discovered that there is a “White” cable, a “Blue” cable, but no “Green” grounding cable. I contacted a friend that knows about electrical stuff and he is researching on if it is possible to add a ground but he told me that the fact that a ground wire is missing means that the job of installing the light fixture in the first place was done half-a*sed and lack of a ground could be dangerous. I am in the middle apartment/floor of a 3-flat so I can’t go in from above to add a ground wire so I’m starting to think that I am S.O.L. and may end up with nothing… Because I sure as hell won’t put the light fixture back without a ground wire! So my questions are: 1. Can I install a 30” Ceiling Fan without a ground wire or is it dangerous? 2. Can I add a ground wire myself in an apartment where I can only access from below? Please use simple terms or link me to help because I am totally out of my element here. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!
- ANSWER:
  if the power is run in your building through conduit then that is acting as the ground for the electrical system. so when you hang your fan the bracket that is metal has a green ground screw on it that can attach to the ground wire thats on the fan, that way via the bracket holding the fan thats on the electrical box attached by the ground wire from the fan itself will ground the fan. also, a fan that small doesnt weigh more than 35 lbs, which most standard electric boxes and drywall rings are rated to support. you should be just fine
QUESTION:
wht should I pay to have a ceiling light installed with fixture and a 4ft section of wall sheetrocked? I was wondering what the average price for a small job like this would cost. Just want to have a light installed in my bedroom and a 4ft portion of my wall sealed. What is a average going rate for such a job for a professional?
- ANSWER:
  200 to 300 if changing excising light 100, if have to wire all the way from panel to light 67$for wire 0 for run. drywall hung finished and textured about 120 if the same guy does both. add SWITCH 35$ bucks if existing free. Work hourly joe smo burn down house 10$ real electrician 16-24 per hour just go to the electrician not the company see um all the time say i need some side work.get number. then you save big money! and you know he's qualified. houses burn down all the time because it take 4yrs of school to do what handyman thinks he knows about it. look at house fires that why school.
QUESTION:
Lighting question, no light fixture, need to install only two wires sticking out of ceiling. How do I install Have an old craftsman home, garden has no lights, nor any light fixture there are only two wires coming out of the ceiling witch are conrtrolled by an on and off switch. How do I go about installing lights? I do believe none of the two wires are for grounding(neutral, not sure).
- ANSWER:
  With your new light connect the white wires together, the other 2 wires may be different colors but it should be ok as long as neither of them is green...The green wire from your new light can be connected to the box the wires are coming out of(if there is one).
QUESTION:
How do you locate the wires/cables in the ceiling for installing a light fixture? How do you locate the wires/cables necessary for installing a light fixture without cutting into the ceiling to begin with? sorry i didn't give any details I am talking about an apartment room. No there is no existing light fixture, just plain ceiling, hence crappy lighting. Other rooms have ceiling light fixture.
- ANSWER:
  It isn't likely that there is a wire there that you could use. A dedicated wire must be run from a switch (where the power usually originates) to the location for the light in the ceiling. If there isn't an existing light there, wires would have to be run through the wall. Probably not something you want to pay for in an apartment.
QUESTION:
Is it easy to install a ceiling fan if you already have a light fixture where you want to put the fan? I'm thinking about putting ceiling fans in, all the rooms already have a light fixture in the middle of the ceiling. So is it just a matter of removing & disconnecting the current fixture and connecting the ceiling fan? Or is it more complicated than that?
- ANSWER:
  the wiring is the same. black and white to provide power. You SHOULD make sure that the electrical box is REINFORCED to the studs, otherwise you will have a wobbely fan that may possibly be unsafe. A standard electrical box relies on the weight of the sheetrock for support, but isnt enough to hold most fans! Also, with a 2-wire setup like you have now - you will only be able to adjust the speed of the fan from the wallswitch (if u buy a wall switch made for fan speeds), but NOT be able to control the light dimming (you will still rely on the pull-chain for this function).
QUESTION:
Why limited wattage in ceiling light fixture? We just had 8 recessed lighting fixtures installed, no transformer's just the housing, they are rated at 65w which even at full power (they are on a single dimmer) is way too dull for the size of the room. Why couldn't you put a 75w or higher bulb in the fixture? I couldn't think of what is actually "restricting" if there is no transformer.
- ANSWER:
  The greater the wattage of the bulb, the more heat it will produce. They have limited the wattage based on the limitations on the ability of the fixture to take the heat.
QUESTION:
Is there a way to eliminate the pull chain element of a ceiling light fixture? I have a pull chain light bulb fixture in my closet and I am wanting some way of turning the light on and off with out having to use the pull chain. I was thinking about some sort of a "clapper" like device but all the one I can find need a wall outlet. Has anyone seen on that screws into where the lightbulb goes or something like that? Is there some way to control this light without cutting the wall to install a light switch and new light fixture?
- ANSWER:
  === what you want requires adding a wall switch === and making the wires from the switch fit inside the walll and go to the light fixture that is in the ceiling of your closet ... the two wires that operate the closet light go AS FOLLOWS .... one one wire remains on the fixture and the other wire is taken loose and the wire from the new wall switch is in two wires and one end is affixed to the light fixture and the other is fitted/wire nut to the wire that was on the light fixture ... thus you have a wall switch that operates the closet light .... this is the only way that you can eliminate the pull chain ... UNLESS you run a switch wire across the ceiling and down to a surface mount wall switch ==== IF YOU WILL GO to Lowe's or the Home Depot and ask about the options available you might find an easy solution ....
QUESTION:
How do install light fixture that has a black and white wire the ceiling has ground, red white, black wire?
- ANSWER:
  Since your home is AC (Alternating Current) the order of connections between your black, white, red white and black does not matter. Your ground wire is quite important where you hook that up. Most likely it is a bare wire or it may be have green insulation on it. If it were me, ensure you power is off by opening the supply breaker from your electrical panel. If you are going to be working on electrical devices, you should invest in a volt meter. You can get them for around 10 dollars at your hardware store. Check to ensure that the wires coming out of the ceiling have 0 volts (or somewhere less than 5 volts) from the red white wire to the black wire with your volt meter. Besure to also check from the red white wire to ground wire and also black wire to ground wire coming out of the ceiling. Next, always hook up ground first as a safety precaution. It sounds like you have that part figured out. But if there is no ground wire on the fixture, there is usually a green screw provided with the fixture and a tapped hole on the fixture somewhere to connect the ground wire coming from the ceiling. Finally, hook the black from the fixture to the black from the ceiling with a wire nut. And hook the white wire to the red white wire with a wire nut. You know the wire nuts are turned properly when the wire pair has a slight twist to them. To know for sure if you wire nuts are secure, give the wires a good tug while holding the wire nut. This will ensure you have a good electrical connection and the connection won't fail causing a possible fire. As always, if you are unsure, contact a licensed electrician. Always a good idea. Good luck
QUESTION:
How do I install and wire a new light fixture if I'm starting with a blank ceiling? My wife wants a light fixture in where there is not anything old to run off of. How do I run the wire and install the fixture, as well as how do I wire in a new switch?
- ANSWER:
  Call an electrician. It most places its illegal to do your own electric work without a license and permit. Or, figure out where you want it. Find the studs, Cut a hole for the switch and one for the fixture. Run a wire from the electric box to the hole you made for the switch, run a wire from that hole to the fixture. You need to make sure you run the wire parallel to the studs if you have drywall up. This will save you from having to drill holes through the studs.
QUESTION:
ceiling light fixtures turns on without the switch. What is the problem? I am trying to install a ceiling light fixture. I connected the white to white, black to black and ground to ground. Interesting thing happens - light bulb turns on (switch off)! When i turn ON the switch THEN light bulb shorts out and circuit breaker overloads. What should I do?
- ANSWER:
  It sounds like you have two different feeds coming to the light socket. Is this a three wire or two wire hook-up?
QUESTION:
How can I install wiring that was for a light fixture to a ceiling fan? I am trying to install a ceiling fan in where a light fixture was. I also want to install a dimmer. The wiring that was for the light was connected to a switch and when I took down the light there are three sets of wires (three black, three white and three ground). The white wires and black wires were connected to each other and then to the light wires. I installed. I have another ceiling fan in my bedroom and that has 4 wires (black, white, ground and red. Can I connect to the old wiring or do I need to try and run a new line and how would I connect it to a switch so it has power? I am trying to install a control switch that controls the lights and fan. Let me explain. I DID NOT INSTALL THE LIGHT FIXTURE. (I can't edit my detail section) I installed a ceiling fan in another bedroom and ran new wiring and connected to another switch for power. I do not have attic access to run new wiring as I did with the other ceiling fan.
- ANSWER:
  You can install the fan where the light is and use the current wire, but you will not be able to do anything but turn the entire set-up (fan & light) on or off. In order for it to work the way you want, you will need the additional wires. Without access to the attic, you are not going to be able to run the wire you need to get this to work properly. Your best bet is to buy a fan that has the remote control with it. You may be able to purchase the remote separately and use them on an existing fan.... I've never tried to purchase just the remote, but it may be available.
QUESTION:
How do I install a new light fixture? I need to installing a new ceiling light in the living room. There is an existing single switch on the wall that operates some track lighting in the kitchen. Can I convert this into a double switch and have the other switch operate the ceiling light? If so, what tools do I need to do the whole operation? What kind of romex wire do I need? I tried searching online but the tutorials weren't that good and I couldn't find anything about the double switch.
- ANSWER:
  You should have your living room switch in that room not the kitchen( not sure but code may require it) so if they are shared walls why not cut out for a single switch on the opposite side of the kitchen switch they make different retrofit boxes for your application
QUESTION:
How to rotate a ceiling mounted light fixture? I have a star light fixture and would like to install it to the ceiling so it rotates continually...I'm sure there is an item somewhere that will allow me to do that...any help would be appreciated.
- ANSWER:
  yeah go to lowes and tell them you need parts for a ceiling fan like the adjuster timer and basically everything but the blades and you can hook it up like that
QUESTION:
Halogen ceiling light professional install - how much would it cost? I would like to get rid of my light fixture in one of my rooms, and replace it with 5-10 halogen lights in the ceiling, how much would it cost to get this done professionally? I wouldn't mind trying to install it but I Wouldnt' have a clue about how to connect the lights up to the electrics in the house! thanks all
- ANSWER:
  I offer this caution to halogen lighting: Halogens typically operate in much the same fashion as regular incandescent bults, using electricity to heat a small filament to white heat. Consequently, there is much ELECTRICAL ENERGY WASTED PRODUCING UNWANTED HEAT -- and some fire risk. Additionally, the special halogen bulbs tend to be rather expensive to replace and don't have that much longer life than regular incandescents. I've opted to go with fluorescent that tend to be much more energy efficient, and the compact screw-in-ones have come down considerable in price (in the .5 to .5 each, range); and they typically last many times longer than incandescent bulbs. I concede that halogen fixtures can be much more manageable for aesthetics, but you end up paying for them for a long time because of their inherent inefficiencies. (Steps off soapbox.)
QUESTION:
I'm installing a flush mount light fixture in a ceiling w/a red,black & white but no green. How do I install?
- ANSWER:
  If the light fixture doesn't have a green wire, it's pretty darn old. I don't know about your town, but in mine, that's not up to code anymore. I wouldn't let the building inspector know that you installed it new. Usually, if it's an existing installation, they won't bother you. If the light box doesn't have a green wire, like as not it's grounded to the conduit. Supposing for a moment the ground through the conduit is still good (check this with a voltage tester), just run the green wire to one of the screws that go into the box. I've also seen electricians clamp them right to the conduit. Either way, be safe.
QUESTION:
Why can't I connect the black wire to the blue wire while installing my ceiling fan light? I'm trying to install a light fixture to my ceiling fan. I've got everything figured out, but I'm unable to connect the black wire from the kit to the blue wire that hangs from the fan. What do I need to do? Thanks in advance for the help!
- ANSWER:
QUESTION:
i am trying to install a light fixture and my fixture has only two wires(Black and White) but on the ceiling? but on the ceiling there are 3 wires(black, red and white), I connected a white to white and black to black and the light staid on. can you tell me what i should do?
- ANSWER:
  Assuming you ar in the US or Canada. Learn how to use a voltmeter, or at least a neon test lamp, and check those wires out before you touch any of them! That said, the bare wire on your fixture should connect to the green ground wire in your electrical box or a tiny screw. The white neutral wire should go to the white, and your black (hot) wire for your fixture probably goes to the black wire in the box - you will need a voltmeter to take readings of the potential between the neutral and the black, then the neutral and the red, and see if the black or red is controlled by the the switch. The Black wire may be a "hot traveler" wire coming from the lighting circuit breaker on the main panel. The Red wire may be "switched hot" coming from the light switch for this light fitting. The white wire may be a Neutral coming from the main panel. The Green wire should only ever be a safety Ground wire coming from the main panel. Or there may be a two-way switched circuit feeding that light. If it is a light near some stairs and you have 2 switches controlling it, one switch downstairs and another switch upstairs, then the wiring could well be as follows: the Red (or the Black) is a "hot feed" to the switches and the other one, the Black (or the Red) is the "hot return" from the switches. However you must not just assume any of these suggestions about wiring colors is correct for your house.
QUESTION:
Ceiling light Fixture...Red, Yellow, White, Green Wires? We moved into a condo not too long ago and we finally bought a ceiling track light to install.... There is a spot in living room with a fixture pre-cut out with wires.. There was nothing installed there before, just a white cover.. It's a newer condo (built in 2008)... I have installed a bathroom fixture in my old house but i have never seen this type of wire setup before.. (the bathroom fixture was 3 single wires.. white, black, copper... this one is confusing!! There are 4 coloured wires: 3 separate red ones all capped with the same cap 3 separate white wires all capped with the same cap the green and copper wire (ground i am assuming) and a single Yellow wire capped what's the red and white? is the yellow one hot? i opened up the light switch to where i am assuming it goes to cause the one switch doesn't do anything right now.. the one on the left turns on a power plug (our lamp), which has 3 red wires connected to it.. (1 on top, 2 on the bottom) the other switch, which does nothing has a yellow and red connected to it.... The white wire is no where to be found so i don't know what the White is for? which one is the hot wire? there is no black wire? never seen this setup before ; < any help would be GREAT
- ANSWER:
  You'd better go to find an electrician, and will get useful help.
QUESTION:
Installing a light fixture where a ceiling fan use to be? Ceiling box has four wires containing black, white and ground. All black were tied together with one white and the three white tied together. When the new light was installed white to white (3) black to black with one white. The single switch on the wall would not allow light to shut off. What to do now?
- ANSWER:
  The only time the National Electrical Code permits a white wire to be used as a "hot" wire is in a residential application and where it feeds a switch. However, the white wire needs to be identified as a hot. To identify the white as a hot, use a black permanent marker or wrap the wire with black electrical tape both in the light box and in the switch box. To repair this, turn off the power and separate the black wires only. The one white wire that connects to the other blacks is the feed to the switch. The black wire that is in this same cable as this white needs to be removed from this bundle and attached to the black on the light. Now reconnect the other black wires together with that 1 white wire (now identified as a "hot"), wire nut them and tuck these into the box. The light does not connect to these wires. Now turn the power back on and test. If you need further assistance, please visit: http://electricalblog.gilchrist-electric.com
QUESTION:
Help installing a ceiling light fixture? I have three cables coming from my ceiling. Inside each is what appears to be a Live (red) wire, a neutral (black) wire and an earth (yellow/green) wire. However one of the black wires has red tubing around it. The light fixture I am trying to attach it to has spaces for one live, one neutral and one earth wire. There are two wall switches that operate the light. I have tried to attach just one set of wires to the fixture, taping up the remaining six from the other two cables. Unfortunately this seems to have knocked all the lights in my flat out. I would appreciate any advice on how the fixture should be wired correctly, or should I just send for an electrician? Update: Thanks for all the useful advice. I have now managed to properly install the fitting. For anyone who has a similar setup I needed to join and tape the three red wires together. Locate the live black wire (turned out to be the one with the red tubing) and attach it to the brown. Join the remaining two black wires and attach them to the blue. Join the three earth wires and attach them to the earth. Dont forget to turn off at the mains before attempting any of this. Phil
- ANSWER:
  Bite the bullet and get an electrican. you have shorted all your other lights.You should have all the live wires coming down together,all the earths together and all the neutrals together on one side of your connection block and then the wires from your light on the other. but it'll be hard enough to try get all them into the one block so best get a professional!!
QUESTION:
i am trying to install a light fixture that has six wires but only two are coming out of the ceiling? the fixture that i got has two black wires (that says unswitched hot), one orange( that also say hot), two green and a copper wire. also one white wire. so there is a total of 7 wires.
- ANSWER:
  Oh lord. Well what can one say but the obvious,so i will take the quicke. Well tie the blacks and orange together,white to white copper and green wires are ground wires,enuff said
QUESTION:
Installing light fixture - wire help? I'm trying to install a ceiling light fixture (I've installed several before without an issue) in my brand new condo and need a little help. Coming from the ceiling receptacle are: 1 capped yellow wire 5 white wires capped together with one pig-tailed out 5 black wires capped together 2 red wires capped together 4 green (neutral) wires capped together with 2 pig-tailed out The neutral and white wires make sense but I'm not sure which one is the live one that I'm supposed to use since the 5 black are twisted together and capped. Any thoughts? I could send a photo if that helps. Thanks A LOT in advance. Mary PS. I live in Canada. Perhaps I should clarify a little: which wire should I use as the "black" to hook up my light fixture. Should I un-twist the 5 black wires and use one? Should I un-twist the 2 red wires and use one? Sorry if I wasn't clear. :-) The light fixture I'm trying to install is a dining room fixture with a wall dimmer switch. I unscrewed the dimmer switch and see that it's connected to 1 yellow wire and 1 black wire...
- ANSWER:
  use the capped yellow wire as your hot feed the white for nuetral and a green for ground don't mess with the capped blacks or reds
QUESTION:
Is changing a heating thermostat as easy as changing a light fixture? I have an older round thermostat for my oil-burning heating system, and I just bought a digital model on clearance. I've changed light fixtures, installed ceiling fans, and done some other simple electrical work. Will I be able to change this thermostat easily? Anything I should watch out for? Or, any handy tips?
- ANSWER:
  You should be able to handle a thermostat. Heat only, two wires. Heat/cool ,4 wires. There should be a jumper that goes from RC to RH, on some models. But, White to W terminal, Red to R terminal (Jumper to RH and RC) Green to G terminal and yellow or blue to the Y terminal. Level and secure to wall with anchors. Read instructions on t-stat for any specifics, but basically that is it. Change 1 wire at a time from thermostat to thermostat. Shut off power to oil burner before starting.
QUESTION:
Installing a bathroom light fixture over a stud? I recently remodelled my bathroom and will be replacing one light fixture with two directly over the sinks. The problem is that the wall stud is located directly over the center of the sinks... where I want to place the light fixtures. Do they sell a special junction box that can be placed over a stud? My only other options would be to move the fixture to the left/right or install a light in the ceiling over the sink. I'm leaning towards the ceiling fixture if I can't center the wall fixtures. Daniel: I guess I didn't describe it right... I want to place one light fixture over each sink, but the wall studs are centered in the middle of each sink. I now have a cabinet between the two sinks where the one light fixture used to be. Robin: I might go with that idea if the light fixture base is large enough to cover the junction box hole in the wall. I was hoping there was a flat or half junction box that can sit next to a stud.
- ANSWER:
  You should a "ceiling fan box" or a pancake box. Ceiling fan box is basically a round box with pockets on both sides but is flat in the middle for attaching directly to stud for supporting fan weight. Pancake is simply flat with opening for minimal wiring, but connection is made behind the box.
QUESTION:
wire connection for ceiling light fixture? I am installing a ceiling light fixture. I see black, white and green (ground) wire. I will be connecting the white with white, black with black and green with green with wire nuts. The first question is, are there specific sizes of wire nuts that I have to buy? Second question is.. once I connect the green to bare copper wire with wire nut, is this all I need to ground the connection? I also see green screw on the mounting bracket. Do I need to do anything with this eventhough I already connected the green wire from the fixture to the green wire from ceiling?
- ANSWER:
  If you want this done to code AND safely, then YES, the bare wire DOES have to be connected to the green "grounding" screw on the fixture's "mounting bar". It also has to be connected to the box (if it's metal) using a green grounding screw. Usually, (if the box is metal) the bare wire inside the romex feeding the light (should) already attached to the box, with 5-6 inches of "free wire". Just attach the fixture bar to the box. Attach the bare wire from the fixture to the bar, then join the two together and shove this joint up inside the box. Good luck in all you do and may God bless.
QUESTION:
How do I install a ceiling light in a room where there are no holes in the ceiling for one to go? I would like to install a fixture box and fish the wire from a wall switch so the light would be controlled by the switch. There are three rooms that I would like to do this to with an unfinished attic above. Does anyone know of the best/safest way to complete this task? Also, would I need to use conduit in order to be up to code?
- ANSWER:
  Sorry, I'm confused. What does the wall switch currently control? In the long run, it might be easier to run a whole new line (circuit) and put the lights on switch on the new circuit. That way you won't be in danger of overloading the existing circuit with the new lights. Only so much electricity can go through a circuit before it trips or burns down the house.
QUESTION:
What's the best way to install a ceiling fan if there is no existing light fixture?
- ANSWER:
  It depends on how difficult it is to get power to the location (i.e., above the ceiling). Unless you're a serious do-it-yourselfer, you should turn the job over to either an electrician or a Home Depot / Lowe's type of store that offers installation (at an extra charge). If you're lucky, the result will be an intact ceiling with a fan hanging from the middle of it. If that's impossible, there will be a small metallic or plastic channel attached to the surface of the ceiling and wall to carry the wires from the switch to the fan. Good luck.
QUESTION:
Can you install a ordinary light fixture onto a recessed lighting fixture can? I have house with recessed lighting installed and want to install a normal stand-alone light fixture where one of the recessed lights currently is. Is it possible to use an adaptor of some kind to use the recessed lighting fixture, which is already anchored and wired, and attached the external fixture to the recessed lighting fixture? To start from scratch I think I would have to cut up my ceiling to remove the recessed light fixture and re-anchor the new fixture which seems like a heck of a waist of time. Thanks! UPDATE- I found a company that makes an adaptor that lets you screw in an ordinary fixture into a recessed light housing. The only downside is the stupid little metal plate costs 40 bucks- oh well. http://www.thecanconverter.com/ Thanks for everyone's help. Tim
- ANSWER:
  I've never heard of anything like you are wanting~but it might be out there somewhere:) I wired my recessed lights, and you are right, it would probably be tough to get up in there, put a box in, and rewire for a new fixture. How about a colored flood bulb;) ?? I AM going to watch this though and see if anybody has heard of anything that works~ Good Luck!
QUESTION:
I removed a ceiling fan with a remote control.I want to install a regular light fixture and switch need wiring need help with the wiring as at the switch it goes to another switch in another room.
- ANSWER:
  Need some more detail. How many and what color wires are coming from the ceiling ? How many and what color from the light ? It is pretty easy to do, and any number of people here can give you the instructions to do this. But no one wants to see you fry yourself.
QUESTION:
Can a ceiling fan light kit be installed WITHOUT a fan? i.e. directly to the ceiling? I have found a great light fixture, but it is meant to be installed as a light kit on a ceiling fan, not as a stand-alone ceiling fixture. Can I install it alone, without a fan, directly to the ceiling? How do I know which wires to cap/ignore and which to use? Wiring is old but okay, circa 1929, plain fixture (no fan) was in place previously. The wires I'm wondering about capping/ignoring are those on the new light -- it seems there are extra for connecting to the nonexistent fan.
- ANSWER:
  The biggest difficulty will be determining how to properly mount the fan ceiling light kit to a regular ceiling light fixture box. The hole spacing is usually totally different on these two items. You may need to buy a threaded tube that will go through the cneter of the fan light and that tube can then be screwed into a metal strap that goes across the existing ceiling box. The strap has holes in it for two screws and a hole inthe middle for the threaded tube. You will need to be imaginative about getting the parts together.

install a ceiling light fixture

Fix Fluorescent Light Fixture

2012-10-18T15:21:00.001+08:00

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
Need to fix fluorescent kitchen lights- fixtures not lighting up completely. Any ideas? I bought new bulbs for my 2 kitchen lights thinking my bulbs were burned out but they're still not working right. I have a round fluorescent light fixture as well as a fixture that contains 6 very long lights. I turn the switch on & it turns on but very very faintly like it's not getting enough power or something. Is this something I can fix myself or should I call an electrician? I don't have too much experience with this stuff but do have a little bit of general knowledge. Any ideas anyone?
- ANSWER:
  You probably have an old fixture with a magnetic ballast driving T12 bulbs. T12 means 12/8ths of an inch, in other words 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Virtually all such fixtures, standard before about 1988, are driven by a magnetic ballast that lasts at least 25 years (often much longer) but is fairly inefficient and makes an annoying flicker. Bulbs driven by magnetic ballasts strobe at 60 times a second, the same speed as AC power. Your ballast, or the starter which is really a replaceable part of the ballast, is dying, and should be replaced. Switch to a fixture with T8 bulbs (one inch in diameter) driven by an electronic ballast, which will strobe at about 20,000 times a second. That will eliminate your flicker and give you better lighting and better efficiency (since a 4 foot T8 uses between 25 and 34 watts, rather than 40, per bulb, to put out the same amount of light.) A new shop light type fixture currently costs .50 at Home Depot, so it doesn't make sense to just replace the ballast alone and fiddle with the wiring. Since every T8 fixture is electronic, and strobes at that fast rate, all you have to do is look for a T8 fixture. If your current fixture is hard wired, you might have to have someone a little bit handy in to put in a terminal box to plug the new fixture in, or buy a hard wired fixture for about , but it's worth it. I assume you have one of those recessed box part-of-the-ceiling type kitchen arrangements, with a 'lens' (see through plastic sheeting) between you and the lights, so no one will ever see what kind of fixture you put up there. You don't need to get anything pretty. Once you've done that, I'd recommend getting full spectrum bulbs for your new long fixture - try lightforhealth.com. Unfortunately, as far as I know, you can't replace the round fixture with a similar electronic ballast type fixture. No one makes an electronic-ballast version of a Circline fixture. You might just have to live with that until it completely dies, or replace it with a compact fluorescent (which fits a regular light socket), wiring up a regular closet-type ceramic socket, but that would also require a little rewiring. No help for that. Or if you're willing to do the drywalling and painting required, you could put in a recessed can fixture, with a compact fluorescent in there. I'm hardly an electrician, but this isn't much of a challenge if you're willing to get into the wiring a little. You'll get instructions in any new fixture on how to wire it into your existing setup.
QUESTION:
Can a person fix a "throw-away" (non-ballast/dual transformer) fluorescent light fixture? My 48" garage fixture doesn't work on side. It does not have a ballast/silver little canisters. It is run off of 2 small transformers with a little breadboard containing a ceramic capacitor and some resistors. When I took the thing apart, I wasn't sure if the transformer on one side ran bulb 1 or bulb 2. Or if one transformer was in charge of both bulb sockets on either end. To me the wiring looks as if I would not be able to take 2 "one-bulb working" fixtures and make a "2 bulber" without having to throw both the onesies away and spending $ for a new one. Ive done the bulb swaps and even took out my multimeter to check voltage on each of the four contact pairs. I found that only one of the four had about 22-24v while the other 3 had something around 1-2v. Funny thing is one would think to expect both the contact ends for a single bulb to be reading the ~22v...and yet the bulb lights up. This is what is puzzling me and made me question the wiring of the fixture. As for the fixing of said fixture(s), I found 3 others in my garage which were the predecessors to the current one. They all have the same problem, making me think that I can frankenstein all four into 2 working fixtures. I will next test out the capacitors since the "trannys" don't seem burnt out. BTW the caps look like a totinos pizza roll. I would assume resistors are not faulty or burnt out.
- ANSWER:
  have you tried new lamps or swapping over the lamps to see if the fault is in the ballast, i think you call that the transformer, sometimes the capacitor goes faulty and one side stops working, all fluros have ballasts to boost the voltage and a starter that gives it he initial stricking current, except for the newer electronic fluro fittings that dont need a starter and strike instantly. if your fitting has two"transformers" it has one for each tube,so if its really old and has two large "transformers"in it one of them is probably had it causing one side not to work. if you have a spare transformer that still works in the other fitting you should be able to take the working one out and replace it for the faulty one ,. sounds like a lot of hassle you should treat yourself to a new fitting that will last for years and be done with it.
QUESTION:
How do I fix Fluorescent light? I recently installed 4(2 bulb) fluorescent lights -about a month ago. They worked fine til recently one bulb in one light went out. Replaced bulb same thing??? New fixtures so no "starter". If ballast was bad wouldn't it affect both bulbs?
- ANSWER:
  Its not the Ballast first of all. Sometimes bulbs will go bad fast depending on shipping mishandling where inner filaments are damaged some or manufacturers. Just replace both bulbs instead of just 1. See how long it will last. If they burn out again then you have a short in the end connectors. Dont bother changing the ballasts.I recommend a return for a totally new fixture before the manufacturer warranty runs out.
QUESTION:
I need some help with my Fluorescent light fixture.? I have a Fluorescent light fixture that is in a cage that I fixed up for my tegu. The fixture was for a 33" tube. In order to make it useful for me I modified it so that it is 36" long so it could fix the standard size bulb. Then I found out that the starter used for the original tube wouldn't work because it was a F-2 and for a 36" tube I need a F-4. But when I got the F-4 no light come on at all. (with the f-2 and the tube in the light just flickers but doesn't come on) Is this because the ballast is of a different size or something, and if so can I just change that? Any help would be appreciated I really want to get this light working tegus need the uvb light. Thanks
- ANSWER:
  The answer is probably the lamp type, T8 instant start lamps are not compatible with preheat starters/ballasts. Using Sylvania numbers a F30T8/CW and a FO25T8/741 are going to look the same, same number of pins, same length, but the cathode at the end of the lamp is different, you need the F30T8 for preheat fixture (lamps labeled preheat or rapid start), but good luck, these are 1950's technology. Changing to T12 rapid start will increase the lamp wattage beyond the ballast capability.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light flickers while off. How do I fix it? I just replaced a regular candescent fixture in my garage with a double T8 4 foot long flurescent light fixture. One of the bulbs flickers constantly for hours while the switch is off. I actually replaced the switch.. same problem. Replaced the bulb... same problem. Both the light and switch are grounded. There is another new exact fluorescent fixture on the circuit which works fine. Thanks!!! Thanks so far for the great advice. It sounds like I've got a wire switched somewhere. So my new fluorescent fixtures each have a black, red, and green wire. Black gets hot, correct? If the black and red were switched, would it matter? Some fixtures I install only have 2 blacks (and the green). Thanks!!
- ANSWER:
  Somewhere in the electrical system, there's a wire crossed, a neutral hooked to a hot side, or vise versa, that's causing a feedback situation for that one circuit. It wouldn't show up in an incandescent bulb socket, but it will with a florescent in it's place.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent Light fixture *Hum* grounding Issue? I installed three new 48" fluorescent light fixtures in my shop. My shop is a metal style carport garage. I wired them in using normal household 14-awg wire in the standard white/black/bare solid copper wire. The black and white went to the ballast and the bare copper wire went to the green ground wire that just grounds to the body of the fixture. All three lights are on one string of wire connected to a light switch and then going to the breaker box with their own 15-amp breaker. The light fixtures are mounted directly to the metal framing of the garage with a 3/8" thick by 1" wide universal automotive weatherstripping in 48" strips so the metal fixture case don't come into contact to the metal framing of the garage. The lights have been hooked up for a few days now but I just got bulbs today. When I turn the lights on the fixtures buzz/hum quite loud. When I read the manual that came with the fixtures it says that a buzz/hum could be caused from a bad ground. If it is a bad ground I don't see what I did wrong. I used all new 14awg wire, and installed them on a their own 15-amp breaker. Ive checked all the connections at the breaker box and light fixtures and light switch they are all connected. So my questions are: Could this be just because the lights are new? Or it's 40*f here, Could cold weather cause them to hum? If it is a grounding issue, Should I take the bare copper (green) ground and connect it to the metal framing of the garage as well as the fixture case? OR what other things can I do to fix the ground (if that is the issue)? BTW: The "hum" is not the normal fluorescent light hum, This is quite loud, Ive never herd one this loud before. Thanks for your time! ***responce to answers*** It IS grounded all the way to the box. Im sure the box is grounded to the earth because it just passed inspection in july when I bought the house. I forgot to mention, the breaker box is the house's breaker box. I have two power leads from the main house breaker box to the shop. One for plugs and one for lights. Both are wired with outdoor grade 12 awg wire and then connected in the shop to the indoor 14awg wire. They are cheap lowe's light fixtures. Im 99% sure they are indoor lights. I never figured tempture would effect the lights. I figured indoor = Dry outdoor = wet. Never thought about the tempature. Thanks for the help.
- ANSWER:
  Do you have a sub panel in this shop I think that is what I am reading here. You say two hot wires then you have to have a neutral and if you do not have a fourth wire then you do not have a ground in this shop. Or do you have two 12/2 w/ grounds ran to the shop and if this is the case then you do have two circuits and two neutral and two grounds. If you do have 2 12/ 2 wires ran then you do have a ground and you said all connections are tight. So now if you do have proper grounding then you can go to the next step. I would venture to say to undo one light at a time and turn them on after you have taken one off the circuit, it could be one has a bad ballast or even loose on the mounting device. If you can eliminate the one that is bad or loose you have done what you asked. Look on the ballast it should tell you a F or C rating this is how cold the ballast will work to. Some ballast do not work below freezing and some ar rated at -20 degrees. They do make a light ballast that goes outside called high output ballast but you would be better off not to spend this kind of money in a shed for this purpose. I have purchased cheap lights that are rated for -20 F and they work fine for the most part. Maybe you just do not have the lights tight or the ballast are loose as I said in the light and this could be your problem as well. Good Luck :)
QUESTION:
changed out old fluorescent light fixture to new ones? changed out old fluorescent light fixture to new ones old ones had two ballast and the new one has one ballast hooked the new lights the same way as the old ones and the lights wont turn on it's 2 sets of lights on a 2 way switch. what can i do to fix it? the old lights were t12 the new ones are t8, so there is is t8 lights in the new fixture, the lights do work to trouble shoot I hooked up the lights white to white & black to black, when done i turn the power on lights come on and switch does not affect the lights, when hooked up the other way i put black to black and white to red, turn power on lights are off and switch does not affect the lights. Do i need to hook up black to red and white to white?
- ANSWER:
  Did you buy new lamps? If you bought a new fixture, it takes T8 (or T5) lamps. Chances are good that your old fixture took T12 lamps. These do not work well (or not at all) with new electronic ballasts. If I'm wrong, update the question
QUESTION:
How can we determine the numbers of fluorescent light fixtiures needed for a fixed area and fixed height? The numbers of fluorescent light fixtures that should be installed in a room to give suitable amount of light according to the standards specifications is required.
- ANSWER:
  Depends on the number and type of fluorescent lamps in each fixture, the mounting height of the fixtures, the reflectance of the surfaces in the room, the dimensions of the room, and the coefficient of utilization of the fixtures, as well as the required footcandles, and at what height above the floor those footcandles should be measured. But you'll come out ABOUT 1 fixture for each 56 sq ft (each fixture assumed to have 4 ea 4-ft 40-watt fluorescent lamps. here's a lighting layout estimator http://www.gelighting.com/na/business_lighting/education_resources/tools_software/toolkit/layout.htm
QUESTION:
My fluorescent light fixture flickers. Whats wrong? My fluorescent double-bulb fixture flickers. I have bought new bulbs, and the problem persists. Is this something I can fix myself (I am handy enough to be dangerous)? Its easy to access and the wiring is new, panel fuse is fine and nothing else in the circuit flickers. It is in a heated basement. Not sure what T8 or 12s are. The bulb is GE "watt-miser" F40CW-RS-WM Cool White E 34 Watt - and it's 4' long. Embarrassed to admit the kid at HomeDepot showed me what matched the one I brought in. Most help I've ever had in that store ;) Not sure about starters or age either.
- ANSWER:
  If you changes the tubes and they still flicker then the ballast is the next thing to replace. You should be able to open the fixture pretty easily (usually the panel above the tubes is removable). Turn off the circuit at the fuse or breaker panel then take a good look at the way the ballast is wired, or better yet, take a digital photo or two of the wiring so you can duplicate it later. The ballast is usually mounted with just 1 or 2 screws. Remove it and take it with you to a hardware or electrical store so you can get a direct replacement. Refer to your photo or sketch to install the new unit, it's really quite a simple process. Good luck.
QUESTION:
new fluorescent fixture seen to reduce brightness of light for long periods? Ok ...I installed a new 4 ft Simkar fluorescent ceiling that uses 3 8 4 ft bulbs.I have bought a good brand which is skybright daylight output lumens/light color.The effect is very whitish and crisp but there is a slight problem.It seem to dim at certain long periods of time during just after sunset or at night.I know it is not my vision because these are not heap.It is bright and makes what is white look clean white in the daytime and when evening starts to dawn in around 5 or 6'ish it seem to slightly dull off some and I am wondering where all the brightness went? The old fixture used 2 40 watt fluorescent.I need to mention that I think the wire coming from the ceiling was short in reaching one side of lighting hook-up wire and I think it could be touching the top frame plus I had very little electrical tape..I was going to fix this been about 2 months. Could the hot and neutral be crossed or is it wiring touching frame or fixture itself? please help paid 0 thanx It uses 3 T8 bulbs.Other people have commented it look a little dim.when I remove the cover full brightness,funny... thanx
- ANSWER:
  Relax, nothing is crossed. If your wires were crossed the breaker would have tripped as soon as you flipped the switch. Actually it sounds like an optical illusion, Flourescent bulbs put out their rated lumens, that's it. They do'nt sense light & change their brightness, it's an illusion, flourescent bulbs are known to play tricks on the eyes. Hope this helped, good luck!!
QUESTION:
Light Fixture Fell from Ceiling? My fluorescent kitchen light fixture fell from the ceiling. It's a 6 year old house, and the same light fixture has held it up without problems. One night one of the screws holding the plastic casing got loose, and left a small (1-2 inch radius) cracked hole in the ceiling. Then the other side fell too. Above the ceiling is the attic. Should I just fix the holes and re-hang the fixture, or is it an indication of a bigger problem?
- ANSWER:
  Do not try to put it back using the same holes. Fix the old ones and then if you can mount the light in a different place or at least make new holes. If you can try to screw it to a joist in the celling. If not you can use a toggle bolt. Those are the best things to use in dry wall for hanging things like that.
QUESTION:
I need help with a light fixture from someone with electrical expertise/genius!!? I have a light fixture that is less than 6 months old (closet/kitchen/hallway) that takes a 9-inch round fluorescent bulb and it quit working. I bought a new bulb and it still doesn't work. If you plug the bulb into the fixture, there is a slight glow where the plug is and if you touch the bulb the glow will grow further. This is a new fixture and I have tried 3 new bulbs (which are supposed to last for 5 years the box claims). Does anyone know what could be wrong with this fixture or if there is a way to fix it? I would rather not have to go out and buy yet another new fixture if I don't have to. Is this a possible ballast problem or something else and could it be fixable?
- ANSWER:
  It could be any one of these things OP have mentioned. If this light is only 6 months old call, write or email the mfg. If you're like me you probably don't have the receipt. Just explain the problem and I'll bet you have a new fixture sent to you within a week or so. I've done this before and it works. It beats spending your own money.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent ballast question? I have a two bulb T12 fluorescent light fixture and for some reason only one bulb lights up. I changed bulbs to rule out a burnt bulb but it did not fix the problem. Only one side lights up while the other does not. When I turn it on it does not make any noise that I can hear and turns on without a problem. It' just one side does not turn on. Does that mean I have to replace the ballast? Or could it be just be a wiring issue?
- ANSWER:
  Replace the Starter when: The fluorescent lamp lights only at the ends. Replace the Fluorescent Lamp when: the lamp blinks continuously. Replace the Ballast when: The light is completely out and you are sure the lamp is good. I would say it is the ballast. Be sure to take your old one into the store with you for a match up. You would be surprised how many different ones there are. All look the same but are very different.
QUESTION:
How do you stop the annoying buzz from a fluorescent fixture? I have some under-the-cupboard fluorescent fixtures in my kitchen. One fixture is buzzing and it's very annoying. I switched the bulb and it seems to be worse. Should I replace the ballast (is it that little metal cylinder you can unscrew) or what's the fix to this? I can't afford to buy updated lighting, so that's not an answer. Thank you.
- ANSWER:
  use an electronic ballast and bulbs to match the ballast. what kind of fluorescent is it? how long are the bulbs? try amazon for the ballast and bulbs. the home centers usually only have them in standard sizes.
QUESTION:
I have Fluorescent lights in two rooms of my house. All but one fixture is not working properly.? When I lift the switch to turn them on, they usually only turn on dimly. If I turn them off and on about 7 times in a row they will come on normally -but not always. At other times I can slap the side of the fixture and then it will work properly. How can I fix it?
- ANSWER:
  Sounds like the ballasts or starters are bad. Make sure the bulbs are installed correctly, but I am thinking the ballasts or starters are bad,
QUESTION:
Track lighting problems!! Help!!? Here is the situation.. I removed a fluorescent light fixture from my ceiling. The white wire and the black wire had been extended by a cap to make the fixture work. The fixture was not grounded and was only attached to the two wires. I am now installing track lighting. I look in the ceiling box and I see: 2 white wires that were capped in with the white extention wire 1 black wire that was extended 2 bluish colored wires that are capped to eachother I removed the white and the black extention so I now have the following in the box: 2 white wires capped to eachother. 2 bluish wires capped to eachother. 1 black wire My track lighting has a white,black and green wire. I attached the white wire to the two white wires that are capped together. I attached the black wire to the single black wire. I attached my ground green wire to the two capped bluish wires. I assemble the rest of the lighting and turn back on the power and... I break my circuit breaker. I checked my connections and all points of the lighting. Nothing seems to be wrong but my wiring. My questions... Am I wired correctly? Anyone have a reason as to why I would have spliced neutral and ground wires? Am I fair to assume that the bluish wires are my ground? Why do I keep blowing my breaker? Do I need to ground my track lighting? What consequences do I have if I do not ground? and finally... How do i fix it?!?!? Heh.. I know it is a lot of questions to ask... I would appreciate any help. :)
- ANSWER:
  The blue wires are more than likely the feed for the light passing through the box. Just leave the two blue wires tied together and your problem should be fixed.
QUESTION:
drywall screw came out Hi, I have standard size fluorescent light fixture hanging from two brackets installed in drywall, one on each end. There is one screw in the top and one in the bottom of each bracket. I used drywall screws , and they have worked for a long time, but when I was moving the fixture around to change a bulb and put a little extra weight on it, the entire upper screw on one bracket pulled out of the wall, and now there's a large hole there. The fixture didn't fall, the other screws are fine, and it pushed back in, so I was wondering if there was a certain type of glue I could use to hold it i there and fix it quickly, any advice appreciated
- ANSWER:
  I would put a molly in there and then put the screw back in to make it more secure.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent bulbs keep burning out.? I have 9 - 4 foot, two tube shoplightes in my woodworking shop. I have a problem of tubes burning out in a few weeks / months in three of them. It is always the same fixtures and always the same side/bulb in that fixture. Others have been in place for years with out having to change the bulbs. I have also come across this issue in some homes that I service. Obviously this is an issue with the light fixture but what is the problem and can I fix it without replacing the fixture? I have tried a range of bulb brands and price range with the same results. All of the fixtures are on the same elect circut controled by the same switch.
- ANSWER:
  its most likely the ballast if its a cheaper flourescent light fixture for about the same money and work you can replace the whole fixture
QUESTION:
What strip light hood should I use for my 30 gallon tank? 24 inch or 30 inch? Right now, I'm in the process of fixing up a 30 gallon tank that I acquired from a friend that found the fish hobby more frustrating than fun. Right now I'm replacing the old, shabby strip light with a brand new compact fluorescent fixture. However, the problem is I'm not sure what size to get. The "slot" for the strip light measures around 28", however, Drs. Foster & Smith only sell compact fluorescent fixtures that are 24" or 30". I'm assuming a 30" would be too big and not fit into the slot correctly, if at all, so that's probably out of the question. The 24" would fit into the slot, but it would also leave a lot of room on the sides. Should I just get the 24" and not worry about the extra leg room? Or should I do something else? Thanks for your help in advance. :)
- ANSWER:
  Ask your local fish store what size light is required for your specific hood. Make sure you tell them the actual brand of the hood and tank.
QUESTION:
How long is an unreasonable length of time to wait for an apartment maintenance repair? Eight days ago, a faulty ballast on the light fixture in my bathroom (which appears to be so old it's probably from the '80s) caused one of my fluorescent lights to burn and melt, and since then I've had no functioning permanent light fixture in my windowless bathroom. (Tonight, my overhead bedroom light also went out, probably a ballast again.) Is more than a week a reasonable time to wait for a repair like this? It's hindering my ability to do things such as cleaning, which requires a decent light source. I recently waited over two months to have a dripping kitchen faucet replaced, and informed my property manager over 4 months ago of water leaking through the top of my window that has never been looked at or repaired. I think all of these are excessive maintenance wait times, but my property manager continually tells me that the maintenance person is overloaded with work, as though I should sympathize and be patient. When I called about the bathroom light fixture to ask if it was a fire hazard, she said that the maintenance person lived too far out of town to come fix it quickly. Further, the old tiles in my bathroom floor are crumbling, and some of the exit-sign lights are out in the building. In your opinion, would any of this warrant a call or complaint to the local inspector? I've been leery to stir up animosity with my property manager because she's treated me relatively well and gives me good perks in the building, such as letting my two cats stay at no extra charge.
- ANSWER:
  I am a maintanance man and we always try to handle request within a week any longer is not ok. a dangerous problem like yours should be done asap. sounds like your landlord is short handed, not your problem she has a duty as a property owner she should hire more help. ( maybe remind her in a nice way)
QUESTION:
what else do I need for my gbr planted aquarium? hello, I am new to the world of planted aquariums. I went out and bought my tanks set up and I have been running it for a few days now included in my set up is a 20g long tank with a AquaClear power filter for 10-30 gal, marineland stealth heater 75 watt for up to 25g, then here is my problem I bought a deluxe aqueon full hood 30 inch fluorescent light with a 17 watt bulb. I think the max it can handle is 25 watt bulb. the insides contain black rocks parts of 2 ceramic pots I have broke and sanded off the edges, and today I added a huge piece of drift wood, by huge I mean it takes 1/4 of my tank. also i forgot about the out door timer i just got from lowes. my goal is to spend as less money as I can in getting my tank ready for plants, a pair of german blue rams, and a few fish that my girlfriend has yet to pick out. far as plants go I am looking for low to mid lighting and a 4 clover plant to spread over my drift wood. okay I know my light bulb can not support the plant life I intend to use so I have started to look for a quick fix and I have came to a stand still. Will I have to buy a whole new hood or can I just put a new light fixture on top of the hood.I have been looking in to tops like http://www.marineandreef.com/Aqualig...p/res58021.htm or http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/Produ...tCode=RES53015 also what watts will I need, will the lights make my tank heat up and how many hrs a day should I have my tank on, and are there any other things I need to get my tank up and going, I need to get testers because I know putting the drift wood in my tank lowered the ph. o and soon I will have a few ghost shrimp for my gbr to eat later on.
- ANSWER:
QUESTION:
Can one light bulb in a series of eight recessed lights cause a dimmer switch to stop working? This is a previous question asked by jdagger however i had a further part to this riddle. my story is a little different. We built my room when we moved into our new house, the basement was unfinished and decided to build there. we installed a drop ceiling with recessed incandescent lighting fixtures. after the first bulb burnt out two years ago the dimmer stopped functioning, i replaced the bulb with the exact same bulb from the same pack of bulbs as the rest still nothing. since then i have switched from flood lamps to the compact fluorescent. could the dimmer switch have been fried and is there anything i could do to fix the switch besides buying a new one.
- ANSWER:
  You should replace the dimmer with a 1,000 watt dimmer and use incandescent light bulbs. Fluorescents will not dim, they are either on or off, unless you buy a very special dimmer and fluorescent (but we won't get into that). A 1,000 watt dimmer will handle any incandescent light bulb that the can lights can safely handle. The dimmer should be easy to install but will cost a little more than the original one.
QUESTION:
Fluroscent tube light bulbs will not work, new ones too? At my house in our laundry room, we have these long tube lights, 2 of them, that will not turn on at all, but sometimes they will barely give off a faint light, so we have been using a flash light to see to do the laundry. My dad hasn't gotten around to fixing it yet, and I was going to try and work on it because it's annoying not being able to see. I think it has to do with the fixture because we put new bulbs in their awhile back, not too long ago, and as soon as we put them in, they would not light when the switch was flipped. I forgot what my dad thought the issue was, but any ideas on how to repair this? Also, in my bed room, I am having the same sort of problem, but I have had the long light bulbs in there for over a few months, but when they are on, they shine great, but, I have to sometimes keep flipping my light switch on and off several times in order for them to get the juice to turn on. But, I think the lights in my bed room might be just burning out, but once I finally get them on, they work great, so I don't know? Again, the problem with the laundry room fluorescent tube lights has to do with the unit that they hook onto.
- ANSWER:
  Sounds like your ballast has gone bad.. Home depot or Lowe's or any electrical store sells them. You'll need to know what size of ballast you have to match it up. You're looking at to .
QUESTION:
Quit claim advice please? This is apt to be long winded so please bear with me. About 5 years ago my parents and I came to the agreement that if I paid off their land contract, they would sell me their house for . The balance was about 00 on a k house. This would ensure they would have a place to live despite unscrupulous family members attempts to sell it off from under them. Which my parents knew could and would happen if given the chance. I didn't want the house and told them I would donate it to the fire department once they either passed away, or weren't able to live there due to health reasons. But until then, it was still their house. I was living in Florida at the time, so I had a friend of mine who worked at a title company handle everything for me, and send me what I needed to sign. Everything was done legally. I paid off the land contract they had, paid for all the title work, transfer fees, and whatever else I had to pay. Since then, my dad has developed Alzheimer's disease which has gotten severe, and my mom passed away a little over 2 years ago. At that time, I told my brother and sister I owned the house since 2003 or 2004 (I can't remember exactly) and that I would sell the house and split it 3 ways, because mom would have liked that, ON THE CONDITION that they both commit time and money to help me fix it to be sold. This was a verbal agreement only. This was 2007. At some point last year, I'm not sure when, my sister bought a crummy trailer house next to hers in the same trailer park. Late last year she moved my dad and older brother out of "dads" house and into the trailer. She didn't contact me and let me know even. I found out when I went to check on them because no one was answering the phone. I found the house a disaster area. Everything had been ransacked, and everything of value (which wasn't much) was gone. She, or they, even took all of the fluorescent light bulbs out of the fixtures. That's when and how I found out she moved them out. I received a notice in the mail to appear in court for a guardianship hearing pertaining to my father. My sister was after his pension and social security. In court and under oath, she stated the house was in terrible condition, was not fit to live in, etc... Seems she said it should be condemned, but I can't recall to be honest. So I took this as "No" they were not going to help me fix it to sell it. After the hearing I told me girlfriend I was going to donate it to the fire department for training. she talked me out of it and said she could sell it to help pay he sons college tuition. He's a very good kid, so I agreed, and sold it to her for the same sum of . Last week we located a real estate agent and listed the property. Shortly after that, my sister drove by, seen the sign, and called the agent wanting to know "Who is selling my dads house?!!", the agent filled her in the the owners name (my girlfriend), and now she is calling me threatening litigation, saying "I have the original land contract showing every payment made...", "I should do what dads attorney says and take it to prosecution...". I guess what I need to know is, how can I make her go away? I work, have my own house, a mortgage, and other responsibilities. All I want the rest of the family to do is leave me alone. Simple. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this pitiful story.
- ANSWER:
QUESTION:
Electricians needed, regarding commercial wire-in light control for flood lights.? My "daytime/nighttime" floods stay on all day. I have four exterior flood lights that are controlled by a "wire-in light control" that is supposed to turn them on when it gets dark. Two floods are the commercial "1-Lamp Metal Halide Floodlight" and two are called "16 Watt Triple Tube Fluorescent" (but uses a 65w bulb). These four lights go to the panel and I think were originally on a timer, until the previous owner put them on an electric eye, through a wire (black, white, green) that comes out of the meter room into direct light. MY PROBLEM IS, they stay on all day. I replaced the eye, and the same things happen. They go on for a minute, then go off for a minute, then stay on permanently. I tried all the wire configurations and got the same results, and I know enough light is hitting the eye since the sun was blasting on it the whole time. One person said that since the "eye" is rated to 2000w, that I may be burning it out with the two halides, since they have the sulfur bulbs that may push the wattage too high? If thats the case then I would just replace those two monsters, and match them with the halogens that I'm using, which would save money in many area's. But I don't want to spend the time doing that just to get the same problem. So, am I burning out my "light control" with too many floods, and how should I fix it? NOTE: There is definitely power going to the "light control", these four floods are the only fixtures on this line, and this switch is the only one on the line. Thanks for all the help. Rob Update: I'll double check, but I'm 99% sure the old timer is disconnected, and I know that the "light control" cannot be adjusted at all. It's just an "eye" with 3 wires (black, white, red)
- ANSWER:
  Rob, don't make this any more complicated than you need to. The photocell is just an automatic switch, so basically the old timer doesn't make one bit of difference. If it were still in the circuit, it would shut the lights OFF at some point, and that isn't your problem. Your problem is that they are ON all the time, so the photocell isn't doing it's job for some reason. Identify the hot wire and interrupt that with the photocell just like you would with any switch and it *should* solve your problem. If you were "burning it out" ( the light control) it would fail to the off position. I *think* you simply have it wired to the photocell incorrectly. Al
QUESTION:
I rented an apartment in May of this year. The bathroom is not very big, but it will do, however, the? fixture in the bathroom leaves something to be desired. It is a block painted off white with one of those fluorescent bar bulbs attached to it. It's very ugly and not very pretty to look at. Does anybody have any ideas how I could fix it to make it look fancier? It's maybe about 16 inches long. I thought that maybe I'd buy a box to cover it up and then totally buy a new wall light at lowe's or home depot that just plugs into the outlet.
- ANSWER:
  Considering that it's a small bathroom, you may want to leave that outlet free for other uses. Why not look into a fluorescent light cover instead? There are a lot of style to choose from and they diffuse the light so the room won't look so stark. Your local home-improvement center should have them. Here's a website to give you ideas: http://www.fluorescentgallery.com/?OVRAW=fluorescent%20light%20covers&OVKEY=fluorescent%20light%20cover&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=5236160511&OVKWID=24563548011
QUESTION:
fixing the timer on a Zilla product? Eh, I know this probably isn't the best place, but I was hoping other peeps with reptiles can point me in the right direction. The timer on our Zilla "Halogen/Fluorescent Combo Fixture" (basically a hood with multiple lights) broke. I took apart the mechanism, but all the gears scared me so I haven't tried fixing it. Was hoping another snake/herp owner has had this problem and has suggestions? Or maybe someone can point me to a "fix-it" sheet? I want to sell it soon, and it'll be worth a lot more if the timer actually works. Product is: http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/combo-fixtures.htm Thanks in advance! The timer still switches the lights on and off, but it doesn't turn on its own anymore. You have to manually turn it or flip he switches. Quite annoying, really... Called them already. Basically told me to send it in and they'd fix it (for the cost of a new one) :(
- ANSWER:
  call the company that made the lamp.
QUESTION:
how to make a disguised 120V electrical connection between a moving [hinged] and fixed panels? for a bath room mirror assembly, consisting of a middle fixed pane and 2 side hinged moving panes with built in light fixtures I am searching for a durable disguised connection between the panes and a swith that activates the lights hwen the panes are opened and deactivates the lights when the panes are closed and cover the middle pane with mirror. the panes will be made in box style, about 1-1/2 " , to hold the fluorescent tubs T8 or T4
- ANSWER:
  You might want to look into air pressure switches. The kind you hind in hot tubs or high end garbage disposals. They have a PVC tube with a bladder at one end and a switch at the other. The switch turns on or off when the bladed is compressed. This could also work as a door stop.
QUESTION:
Whites Tree Frog UVB question?!? I just recently bought a Whites Tree Frog, and have been having problems keeping the tank up to temp. But it seems that from adding the blue light to the tank added some temp and they came out of there hiding spot and were sticking to the corners of the glass and were a nice green. They seemed alright but I want the temp to be where there most comfortable and from my research 83-86 degrees is preferable for these guys. So what I did was I bought a 3 in one fixture. It holds a 2 incandescents, and one fluorescent. So i bought the following lights a Zoo-med basking spot lamp(75w), zoo med 60 watt night light (red), and a exo-terra repti-glo 5.0 UVB 15 watt. Today is going to be the first day with both the UVB and the heat lamp on at the same time. Also since I put the red one on i hit 80 degrees, so it looks like the temp problem has been fixed. But what's with all this information saying they dont need a UVB? I mean most of the info I come across is saying they dont need it, but I came across another site stating they do great with UVB's? How come there is so many different opinions on this subject? I can't see how having one is nothing be beneficial to the animal, but maybe I'm wrong. Someone please give me some RELIABLE information, I don't care if they don't require it, but if its good for them why wouldn't you? Just seems like a short cut. Anyways thanks for the help!!
- ANSWER:
  OK UVB is not required but is beneficial and bring brings out brighter colours so altho they arent strickly needed whites do better if they have them. also heat/basking lamps need either a guard or to be outside the screen mesh at the top of the cage as frogs can burn themselves also keep an eye on humidity levels as heat/basking lamps can dry out the tops of vivariums

fix fluorescent light fixture

Fluorescent Light Problems

2012-10-15T13:56:00.000+08:00

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
Ban on incandescent light bulbs, no way fluorescent light creates many medical problems? I feel flourecent light are responsible for may medical problems including ADD, ADHD, and Eplilepsy. I feel even non epileptics get auras or partial siezures form these light bulbs. I though we should ban the flourecent light while now I am hearing they want ban incadecent. This is ridiculous. How do you feel about this ban or efforst to use more flourecent lights. These lights flicker at a very high speed which you do not see but your brain does and I feel this is what is causing so many people to have problems. I think kids will do better in school if the incedecnt light bulb is used. Excuse me but I guess the spell check isnt working today and I am sitting here in light that is flickering. Yes, migraines I can almost gurantee these lights are responsible for alot of those medical problems and think more research needs to be done before we ban a reliable product. I have better concentration when I am not in a classroom filled with these lights. This is bad idea !!!!!!! Well if you want to debate then you yourself can direct me to information that proves otherwise. http://www.migrainepage.com/dcforum/discussion/14809.html http://www.helpforheadaches.com/articles/ofc-ltg.htm
- ANSWER:
  I don't know about flicker problems, at least when the fluorescent lamps are new, but I wonder if there is still mercury in them. That would present a greater California health hazard than the power consumption, flicker, etc. I think.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light problem. Bulb or Ballast? I have a 2 foot long two tube fluorescent fixture that doesn't light immediately when turned on. Any where from a couple of minutes to 20 or so after you turn it on both tubes suddenly light up. No sign of blackness on ends of tubes. I'm thinking ballast. Am I right?
- ANSWER:
  Yes!
QUESTION:
Can someone help diagnose a fluorescent light fixture problem? My kitchen has a fluorescent light fixture in the ceiling (the circular 2-ring kind). It sometimes takes as long as 2 hours to actually turn on after I flip the switch. Does this indicate that the bulb is bad and/or dying, or is there another suggestion as to what is wrong? Thanks
- ANSWER:
  Sounds like a bad bulb. Is one end very dark. Yup, that's it. Replace BOTH BULBS!..DOesn't cost that much. Try it now...Same problem? Replace the Ballast. Turn off power, snip all wires close to ballast ( this will give you some slack ) take to store and have it matched up. Strip wires back about a half inch, buy some blue wire nuts ( store will help you pick ) and wire them all together ( Match color to color, order doesn't matter ) Turn power on, hit switch!
QUESTION:
Fluorescent Light Problem- 4 blubs, replaced two, new ones dont light up.? Two of the four bulbs had burned ends, the burned out ones were alternating, not side by side. I replaced with new bulbs that do not light up at all.
- ANSWER:
  Could be the ballasts. The component that alters AC voltage/current to fire the flourescents. Might be a DIYer project, but there are dangers. Battery ballasts will shock you and older ballasts might contain PCBs. Don't attempt unless you talk to an electrician and are assured of hazard abatement.
QUESTION:
Problem fluorescent light fixture? A few years ago the bulb started to flicker and turn black at the ends. I replaced the bulb, but it didn't take the new bulb long to also turn black and flicker. I concluded that the ballast must be going bad. So I replaced it with an Advanced Transformer Co. rapid start ballast (RL-140 TP) and installed a new bulb (F40T12). As before, in a few weeks the bulb was shot. I spoke with a friend who does a lot of electrical work and he suggested that one of the lamp holders must have gone bad or wasn't making a clean connection and thus there wasn't a good electrical path. Today I replaced both lamp holders and the bulb. Now the bulb doesn't light at all, unless I turn it as to remove it and once it lights, I can then rotate it back to the normal position. However, if I turn it off and then back on, it won't light without the turning I just described unless it is still warm. There is no starter in this fixture. This is 1 of 2 identical (the other works fine). Any ideas?
- ANSWER:
  you are using rapid start fluorescent lamp, this lamp needs 2 second pre-heating. you should change it to instant start fluorescent fixture and use instant start ballast. next time when the tube is flickering before the tube get blacken, change the tube right away, otherwise as the tube blackened the ballast will be overheated. the tube is much cheaper than the ballast. also replace the fixture as the cost of replacing the ballast is not too far from replacing the whole fixture.
QUESTION:
How to pick standard fluorescent light bulbs? I want to replace my incandescent light bulbs with standard fluorescent light bulbs but the problem is that fluorescent light bulbs happens to be extremely dim and the area in which light spreads is really small. I bought a 150W replacement which consumes 30W but when i compare the luminosity and area which light spreads is worse than a 80W incandescent light bulb. Any tips on how to choose the right fluorescent light bulb?
- ANSWER:
  Fluorescent lights are good way to provide natural light spectrum to your indoor garden while cutting down the waste heat produced by the light bulbs. you can find better options as per your requirement...
QUESTION:
Very sensitive to artificial fluorescent light; what can I do? I have no problems with natural light (sunlight) or incandescent light (old fashioned light bulbs), but fluorescent just makes my eyes burn badly. I'm in an office all day, and it's just as bad at 5pm as it is at 9am. I have eye drops and sunglasses, and they help only a little. Any tips/help would be greatly appreciated.
- ANSWER:
  Some people do have sensitivities to fluorescent lighting. It has to do with the rapid flicker associated with alternating current, which shows up with fluorescent, but not incandescent, lighting. The first suggestion is to use some supplemental incandescent lighting, such as a desk lamp. You may also want to make sure that there are no chemical eye irritants in your office...any new carpets, etc.? If you use the computer as much as most people do, then make sure to take frequent breaks and look away from the screen for a couple of minutes. Hope this helps! Doc
QUESTION:
Fluorescent lighting problems...? The lights in my bathroom are very dim. It's not a problem with the tubes because i have went through 4 different tubes with the same results. No matter if i put brand new tubes in, the light will still be very dim. Does anyone know what the problem is with this?
- ANSWER:
  Ballast is going bad, or most likely you are putting in the wrong bulbs ( i.e. T8 for T12 ) or the wrong rated type. When I bought my house, the previous owner had put in the wrong bulb. * EDIT * Ballast don't go bad? Go to the local hardware store and look at all the replacement ballast they have on the shelfs. I have replaced 2 ballast at work in the last month since they were burning tubes out after only 3 weeks of use. Ballast don't go bad... whateverrrr
QUESTION:
Are any health problems associated w/ sleeping in bedroom w/ uncovered fluorescent light on the whole night? My son (in his 30's) often does this - falls asleep w/o tending to the lights. Cover of overhead lamp removed because he wanted more illumination for nighttime regular activities. If there are harmful effects cd. these include possible infertility? What about working the whole day w/ fluorescent lamp on your desk directly shining on you?
- ANSWER:
  I'm not aware of any studies on fluorescent lighting and health. I think the worst it could do is cause insomnia, but it doesn't sound like your son has that problem. Only other side effect would be a high electric bill. Reason enough for him to turn off his lights.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light problem??? (10 points!!!)? took the light off my fish tank to do a water change, and when I put it back on, it doesn't work. YES, the switch is the right way and the power to the outlet is on. I wasn't having any trouble before this, so I figure it's the starter or ballast. Is there a way to tell which before I blow a lot of dough on a part I don't need? It's a compact fluorescent if that matters (Corallife, two tubes). I tried wiggling it already. The connecter is a straight pin arrangement, 4 pins in a line, so it doesn't twist and lock like regular fluorescents. And theres only one connecter at one end and there's clips around the bulbs that hold them in place.
- ANSWER:
  You can bet it's the ballast. They really are so touchy.
QUESTION:
What's the problem with my fluorescent light bulbs? About a month ago I replaced the fluorescent bulbs in my kitchen and now they don't come on all the way. It's like I am only getting half the wattage from them. Then some times it comes on completely bright. and it stays that way until I turn it off and the next evening turn it back on. What is the solution?
- ANSWER:
  Depending on how much of the time you use those lights, you might consider leaving them on all the time. It may even be cheaper in electricity consumption. Fluorescent lights consume a large power surge when turning on, but use very little power once lit. So if you turn them off and on several times per day you may well be better off just leaving them on. And that would also solve your starter problem.
QUESTION:
Are there a lot of documented health problems from people dropping fluorescent light bulbs due to mercury? Seeing as how they really have no warning labels, I'd expect this to be a new epidemic. Everyone drops a light bulb on occassion, it just happens. When a fluorescent bulb breaks, you're supposed to immediately vacate the area and call for a Hazmat team to come and thoroughly and extensively clean the premises......but I'd wager that 90% of the people buying the bulbs aren't aware of that. Have a lot of health issues been observed already from people that have dropped these things, and yet in their ignorance, did not clean up the spill?
- ANSWER:
  No. The danger is exaggerated in our sue happy society.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light bulb problem? So recently, the light bulb inside a restaurant sign went out. I bought a new one to change it, but it doesn't turn on. I know that electricity is going through the bulb because it becomes hot, but it's just the light that doesn't turn on. Any clue what reasons could cause this problem, and how can I solve it? Also I'm in Canada, and it is 110V. Thanks in advance.
- ANSWER:
  The starter. Change it.
QUESTION:
Why is my fluorescent light flickering every time I use my printer? Problems began when my GFCI outlet would not reset in my basement office. The next thing I know, every time I print with my laser printer, the fluorescent light overhead flickers, as though there is not enough power coming to my office. With the exception of a large LCD television upstairs, I have not added any major appliances to my home electrical systems.
- ANSWER:
  Either the bulb is loose or the transformer is going out on the light.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent (Swirly type) light bulb - problem w/Motion Sensor? I changed out the regular light bulb w/the swirly kind on the front porch. It's a motion sensing light and has always worked fine. With the new bulb, once the light goes on it stays on all night and I have to turn it off in the morning. I've tried all the switches, changing timing, distance, etc. Anyone have any ideas to fix? Thanks.
- ANSWER:
  fluorescent bulbs are not recommended for motion detector lights. not mine anyway. put the old bulb back in and forget about it.
QUESTION:
fluorescent light bulb problem!? today, a fluorescent light bulb broke in my house. i began picking up the broken pieces not knowing the danger of these lights. i touched the broken light many times. what's going to happen to me?
- ANSWER:
  You should be fine. The bulbs themselves contain such a minute amount of gas that you would only be in danger if you worked without protection in a fluorescent lightbulb manufacturing facility.
QUESTION:
Why Are My New Fluorescent Light Bulbs Flickering? I recently replaced the incandescent bulbs in my ceiling fan light with fluorescent bulbs. Now, whenever I turn on my light, the bulbs seem to gently flicker. Is this common for newly installed fluorescent bulbs or might there be a problem with the wiring/installation?
- ANSWER:
  Crap bulbs, return them and get new one
QUESTION:
How can I fix my Fluorescent light? I have a fluorescent light in my bathroom. It started to flicker so I replace the light bulbs. Two weeks later, it is doing it again? What is the problem? How do I fix it?
- ANSWER:
  Sounds like you need a new ballast, the black rectangular object inside the fixture. Turn off the light, remove the lamp/s and pan. Inside you will see a ballast with 8 wires. Disconnect the black and white wires. Now cut the red, blue and yellow wires, about 6 inches from the ballast. Remove the ballast supporting screw and the ballast will come out. It is heavier than it appears, so be ready. It may also be leaking a tarry substance, avoid touching this. Make note of the numbers on the ballast (eg. F40 - T12) and dispose of it. Install a ballast with the same markings. Connect the wires colour to colour, 1 red to 1 red, 1 blue to 1 blue, 1 yellow to 1 yellow and the same with the rest. Last connections are white to white and black to black. Use marrettes to make these joints. (Be sure to pick up new lamp/s and 6 # 31 marrettes when buying the ballast.) Reinstall the pan and lamps. That's it, hit the switch.
QUESTION:
Need help with fluorescent lighting? New bulbs but light not working? We have fluorescent lighting in our bathroom. The light suddenly has dimmed. I changed both bulbs. At first I thought I solved the problem the lights worked normally but now the new bulbs are dimming; now the light doesn't work at all. I don't like messing with the bulbs because I heard they can explode and electrecute you. Should I call an electrician? Anyone had a similar problem. I thought maybe the two prongs weren't aligned properly but they are. Help??
- ANSWER:
  have no fear, they are delicate but they won't electrocute you. Sounds like you eiter a. didn't get both prongs in the socket before twisting them in or b. the dimming gave me the hint, the ballast is bad. If the bulb is installed right then you will find a box with wires coming from it. that is the ballast. you need to turn off the breaker and take off the wire nuts take the unit to the home store and say hey dude I need one. you may need to know how many bulbs and the number off the bulb.. A real easy change if you want something to do and save a couple hundred bucks ..
QUESTION:
Can I operate a fluorescent light with a solid state ceiling fan/light remote controller? I'm installing a Hampton Bay ceiling fan in my garage. The fan has a light kit and comes with a wireless remote controller that operates the fan and the light. I plan to remove the attached light kit and use the wires to connect to a ceiling mounted fluorescent fixture I'd like to install near the fan. Since I can't easily hardwire a wall switch to operate the new light without poking a lot of holes in the drywall, I'd like to use the remote controller to operate the light. The remote controller says "incandescent only". But if the controller only turns the light on/off, with no dimming capability, is there any reason why it wouldn't work with the fluorescent light? Would doing so damage the controller or cause some other problem? Thanks in advance for your help.
- ANSWER:
  I don't think it will damage anything and it should work as long as there is no dimmer. The only problem I can see is the wiring may not be heavy enough in the fan light. A lot of fan lights say 15 watt max or something like that. If it doesn't work you can always buy Home decor conduit that goes on the outside of the wall and run a wire for a switch off of the wire that feeds the fan to operate your light.
QUESTION:
Odd problem with fluorescent light fittings? I've got this really weird problem with a fluorescent light fitting which I only notice when it is dark. The light is fine when it's on and working, but when I turn it off at the wall switch, it glows faintly along its whole length and the glow swirls. I've tried replacing the starter but to no avail - if anything, the glow gets worse when I remove the starter. It's just truly bizarre and I've only noticed it recently. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks so far. I'll have a go at putting in a new tube as this one is quite old. As far as I know, I'm nowhere near a radio station or near major power lines. This is a recent thing with this particular light fitting as it never used to do that. When it was turned off, it turned off, it didn't glow. I'm just trying to figure out whether it's worth getting it checked out by an electrician as beyond replacing starter & tube I'm well out of my depth.
- ANSWER:
  a few things, they usually glow for a little time (well i've noticed anyway) once off. but they are effectied by static electricity, practically everything generates it, or a magnetic feild. this can make the light inside come on or glow. there must be something above it causeing the issue rather then the fixture or bulb it's self.
QUESTION:
Paint color problems. Does fluorescent lighting affect paint colors? My kitchen and family room share the same space. It's a large overall area, but while the kitchen has lots of windows and gets lots of natural light, the family room doesn't. The kitchen has medium oak cabinetry and hardwood floors. I want to paint the kitchen a warm yellow to enhance the feeling of warmth and light it has during the day and continue to color into the family room to lighten and brighten it up. I went to the paint store today and chose the perfect warm yellow. When I came home and applied it to one of my kitchen walls, it looked too yellow. The color of paint in the can was fine, but the color on the wall was too yellow. We have fluorescent lighting in the kitchen and family room and I'm sure the store had it too. Does fluorescent lighting affect paint colors? If so, how do I correct for it? Any suggestions would be very much appreciated! Thanks! I am painting over off-white and I am just doing the edges of the walls and around the trim right now. I guess my biggest problem is if I find the perfect color for the daylight hours, will it look different in the evening when all the lights are on and vice-versa? Are shades of yellow especially bad with fluorescent lighting? Should I go another route?
- ANSWER:
  The short answer is yes, all types of lighting affects colors in different ways. This is part of the reason you have such a big light bulb selection. There are lights that will attempt to match the suns natural light. Some thing that comes to mind is the color of the wall you are painting, and is it primed. As well as how many coats of the yellow did you apply. The color it is going over can have a good hand in the color problems. Most paint stores can show you the difference in colors for common light types. This way you can find a color that you can deal with in both types of lights. A color that looks deep and beautifull in natural light can look pale in other kinds of light. Or you can just replace the bulbs, go to home depot and ask some questions. Thats the route I would go, get the color you like then make the house display it properly. Try more coats yellow is a light color.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light and starter problem? My fluorescent light recently stopped working, it just kept flickering and would not go on properly. I replaced the starter and the light but now nothing works. I've used three different starters and the woman at the store checked the light with one of those voltage reader things to check that it was ok. I guess the problem lies in the wiring or the ballast but I was just wondering if there was anything else I might have overlooked when changing the light or the starter or if there is anything else i can do myself before calling the electrician? The starter flickers but i get nothing from the new lamp. I had it tested before i bought it so i know it works...
- ANSWER:
  Buy an electrician's tester screwdriver, it will only cost you about a pound and will always come in handy. Switch the power off at the mains and remove the cover of the fluorescent light so that you can see where the wire enters from the switch. Switch the mains back on and then carefully touch the live wire with the tester, if it lights up you know you have power and it will be cheaper if you replace the whole light fitting than calling an electrician. Switch off the mains and put everything back in its place. If the tester doesn't light up the odds are that the problem is with the switch, maybe even a loose connection. Again, turn off the mains, remove the switch cover, put the mains back on and check the wiring of the switch with the tester as before, testing with the switch on and off. If the switch is faulty, it is easilly replaced if you are competent at DIY electrical work. As in all cases, if in doubt, then call an electrician.
QUESTION:
What's wrong with my fluorescent light? In one of my bathrooms I have a fluorescent light fixture that has 2 4 foot bulbs. When you flip the switch, sometimes it turns on, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes I have to sit there and 'wiggle' the switch for a while to get it to turn on. Sometimes it helps if I turn on the fan then wiggle the switch. I have tried replacing the bulbs and that is not the problem. Do I need to replace the balasts, replace the whole fixture, or is the problem likely something else? Thanks!
- ANSWER:
  Since you said that wiggling the switch helps, that tells me the problem is either the switch or the wireing to the fixture. Shut off the power to that circuit, and then check it with a multi-meter. The connections can be visually checked if you don't have a meter, look for loose, or burned looking connections. If loose, tighten. If burned looking you have a short somewhere and need to have it fixed or it could cause a fire.
QUESTION:
what is wrong with my fluorescent light bulb? we have two 4- 5 foot fluorescent light bulbs in our laundry room and every time we turn them on, their light flickers/ quivers. we have tried changing the bulbs multiple times but it has the same problem. What do you think is causing this problem? thank you for your help.
- ANSWER:
  Good possible causes listed above, should also consider that the wrong 4' lamps maybe used, 1" (F32T8) and 1 1/2" (F40T12) are the same length and have the same sockets, but different starting and operating characteristics. Check for label on fixture or on ballast. Also some low power factor F40T12 ballasts don't like energy saving 34 watt lamps, (often labeled with terms like econowatt, wattmiser, or supersaver).
QUESTION:
Installing a fluorescent light with no ground wire to work with.? I have three fluorescent lights that I've installed with no ground wires since my home doesn't have that. Two work fine but one will only come on when I touch the bulbs, creating a ground through my body. Is there a way to psuedo ground it? A cheap capacitor or maybe just a long wire attached to nothing? The problem fixture is too far away from plumbing for that old trick and it's upstairs or else I'd just run a wire out the window. To those who've said it's dangerous. You do realize I mean a ground wire to the metal fixture itself and not attatched to the power source. Let me also add that it is a circline fixture using a 12 inch and 8 inch bulb. It works fine typically but often it doesn't want to start. If I reach up and touch both bulbs it comes on fine. I've been told that this is most likely a ground issue since the fuxture is new and many weak ballasts require a good ground for starting. In response to answer 3, it's not exactly defective but more along the lines of cheap. It's an oldstyle magnetic ballast that needs the bulb casing to be grounded for it to start. It's starting voltage is too low. Response to 4, there's only one way to put a circline in. I've verified it's a ground by attaching a speaker wire to the fixture case and running it out the window to the ground. The fixture works like a charm. When I undo that it won't start again. I just don't like having a wire running out the window.
- ANSWER:
  Defective unit. You need a new ballast.
QUESTION:
fluorescent shop light wont light up unless i jiggle the bulbs. how can i fix this? When i pull the chain nothing happens. I have to mess with the tubes to get them to light. Have had this problem since day 1. Any suggestions?
- ANSWER:
  Usually it's the recepticals at the ends of the fixture. Turn the breaker off for safety and with the bulb out try to tighten the metal where the bulb pins make contact or perhaps the receptical itself is loose in the fixture.
QUESTION:
Has any recent research been done on the flashing light effect on certain neurological problems? Details below? Flashing lights have been shown to set off hyperactivity, migraines, epileptic seizures and bouts with autism. What is the newest info on this problem? By flashing lights I mean anything from strobe lights, flashes caused by fluorescent bulbs that are malfunctioning, and any other flashes. I am looking for study on the bad effects of flashing lights.
- ANSWER:
  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/10/041025130504.htm http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/01/04/bright-light-therapy-for-bipolar/1740.html http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103101121.htm hope it helps :p
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light bulb in dimmable socket? If I have a fluorescent light bulb but a dimmable fitting, can I still use it if I don't dim the light at all? It says on websites I have looked at that it is a problem with the amount of electricity going into the socket, so if you turned it up to full power wouldn't a normal amount of electricity go in?
- ANSWER:
  A dimmer switch is not a rheostat although it contains a variable resistor connected like a rheostat. A rheostat would be like a variac that truly changes the AC voltage going to the bulb. A dimmer switch changes the wave shape of the waveform to effectively change the voltage. If you have one that you can set then turn on it might work if you set it to max output then turn it on. It would be better to just get a standard wall switch and change the dimmer switch to a toggle switch, or change the bulb to a dimmable type.
QUESTION:
Light fixture problems? My fluorescent light tube that's hanging from my ceiling is flickering. I took the light bulb out of the tube and replaced it with a knew one, but nothing changed. Is it a problem with the ballast? Any help is welcome, thanks.
- ANSWER:
  if its still flicking it could be that it needs a new stater on it..have a look at your fitting if you see a small circular head sticking out of the base of the fitting at the end of the light near the lamp that will just need changing..you can buy one at any hardware store for very very little expense..all you do is push a little and twist and it will come out of the base of the fitting..bring it to the store and show them and u will get one for sure..then just push it back in and twist and it will work straight away.. the starter is used to ignite the ions within the magnesium within your fluorescent lamp,when they are charged they will omit light.. generally if your ballast is gone the you would usually get no response from the fitting. qualified electrician..hope iv helped
QUESTION:
Are there fluorescent light bulbs that have the feel of incandescent light bulbs? I just heard the USA (where I live) has done what many other countries have done and banned incandescent light bulbs. I am devastated by this. I HATE FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS! The annoying flickering, the horrible bright lighting, the pain on the eyes. I mean, by 2012, or whenever this takes effect, everyones home will feel like a doctors office. YUCK! How annoying! Many fancy restaurants will go out of business because who wants to pay big bucks to eat in a place that feels like a McDonalds? I feel sorry for people who have epilepsy, they are going to be forced to punish themselves in their own homes. Will they invent (or have they invented) fluorescent light bulbs that are not evil and horrendous on the eyes? Or do I need to stock up before they are taken off the shelves? HELP ME! Ban on incandescent light bulbs, no way fluorescent light creates many medical problems
- ANSWER:
  There are natural lighting fluorescent tubes that have been around for a while that give out a full spectrum of visible light not just the mercury vapor spectrum. They are much more natural and easier on the eyes. But I haven't heard about any ban. They're phasing them out.
QUESTION:
how can I remove a fluorescent light bulb from a kitchen ceiling light? The problem is that I can twist the bulbs out, but the fixture is surrounded by crown moulding which comes about 1 1/2 " in. Once the bulb is removed from the socket there is no way to get the bulb out of the fixture. A metal divider prevents getting any angle on the bulb to be able to angle it out. I have not been able to figure out any way to remove the crown moulding surrounding the fixture. A similar fixture is seems to be manufactured by brodwax. This is the primary lighting source in my kitchen (no windows) so hopefully someone can help.
- ANSWER:
  I would guess the molding comes off if it is part of the fixture and not just something installed by a joe handyman type. No fixture will be made without a way to change lamps.
QUESTION:
I broke a fluorescent light bulb should I be concerned? It was a standard light bulb which you would put in a table lamp. The box says there is Mercury inside. After it broke we picked up the pieces, vacuumed, then shut off the air in the house and fanned the area out for 30 minutes. Am I at risk of a health problem or should I do anything else? Is the area safe to lay down, room safe to be in etc?
- ANSWER:
  Wow. You did everything right. I wouldn't worry.
QUESTION:
How do I change this round fluorescent light bulb in my kitchen? You know those old fashioned ones I'm talking about right? The problem is I don't know how to get it out! Its held in by three c-shaped metal things and I'm trying to pull it out towards me but its not really budging. If that's the way to do it I could pull a little harder but I don't want it to shatter!
- ANSWER:
  The c clips are a little bit like a spring. Pull the clip away from the bulb (only one of them does not matter which one)you will need to move about 3/4 of width of the bulb .Then you should be able to get the bulb off that clamp the other 2 clamps will not be a problem. Then grasp the part where the wires connect and pull it loose. Take the bulb to a good hardware store and you should be able to get a new bulb. Reverse the whole operation to install a new bulb. Problems? email me
QUESTION:
Our fluorescent light doesn't come on right away. Do we need new bulbs? Our basement bathroom light is fluorescent and only comes on about 30-60 seconds after you flip the switch. What could be the problem?
- ANSWER:
  the bulbs may need to be replaced and if it still is slow starting the ballist is going if it is the ballist and its in the basement it will be cheaper to buy a new fixture then replace the ballist and bulbs
QUESTION:
Incandescent vs Fluorescent Light Bulbs? Not sure this is the best category for this question, but here goes. I just read on Yahoo! News that Canada and Austrailia are planning to ban what they term "inefficient" incandescent light bulbs in favor of compact fluorescent bulbs. They claim the incandescent bulbs promote greenhouse emissions and the use of fluorescent bulbs will not only cute down on these emissions, but save users approximately per year. My question, don't the fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury and wouldn't this pose an environmental risk in the disposal of the bulbs? In America, one must have an EPA permit to dispose of them... so what happens if other countries are just throwing them away? No mention of disposal problems or solutions was mentioned in the article, but I'm curious how this will effect the environment if it goes through. The article states that incandescent bulbs will not be prohibited when they are the only appropriate alternative but still... I went to the EPA's website and they do give information regarding the proper disposal of CFL's. I was under the understanding that a disposal center, not idividuals, must have an EPA permit to dispose of items containing mercury. Perhaps I did not make that point clear to the poster who suggested I review my source for that information. I do agree that CFL's provide more light and less heat but I think I will always be concerned with the idea that mercury is there and so available and on such a large scale, I don't honestly know what's worse... the greenhouse effect or the potential hazards from those who will not dispose of these items in the proper manner.
- ANSWER:
  Whilst the amount of mercury used in production a CFL bulb is at most 6mg, the average mercury content is 4mg. The total emissions of mercury created by a CFL bulb from electricity consumption over its lifetime is about 2.4mg of mercury. In comparison the emissions from an incandescent light bulb is about 10mg. Therefore overall CFLs result in a slightly less amount of mercury emitted over the lifetime of a CFL bulb. The real gain is the reduction of 38kg of Co2 per CFL per year and an overall saving of 14% on your electricity bill. To ensure the safe disposal of CFL bulbs you should return them to the retailer or to an appropriate recycling facility. Once collected the bulbs are crushed in a machine that uses negative pressure ventilation and a mercury absorbing filter allowing the mercury to be reclaimed. In countries where recycling facilities do not exist, you should contact the manufacture who should have details of how you can safely dispose of the CFLs. Note: It is assumed the emissions from electricity consumption is from standard electricity supply. Should renewables be used then the emissions of mercury would be 0mg (not including the production of the renewable source), however for the use of incandescent bulbs to be effective we would need to be using a high proportion of renewable energy. PS ... you can now get CFLs with ultra-low mercury levels. Energy Saver http://howtosaveenergy.blogspot.com support@howtosaveenergy.co.uk
QUESTION:
Our fluorescent tube light switches off after about an hour or so. If I turn off the switch for 5-10 minutes? and then switch on, it starts.... Can I fix the problem without investing again on another tube light frame?
- ANSWER:
  The problem may be in the bulb or the starter or the baluster, depending on a few things. If the end of the bulb is starting to turn black it MAY then be the bulb. If you have a screw in starter (small silver cylinder) then it is probably the starter. If you have no starter and the bulb is not turning black then the baluster may be starting to go bad. It shuts off because it is overheating. Turning it off and then back on let it cool down. You can just replace the baluster. But by the time you hire an electrician (if you can't do it yourself) a new fixture might be cheaper (if you can install the new one yourself.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light bulb still blinking after turned off.? I have this compact fluorescent light bulb, (2 actually) that even when when they are turned off you can see them flashing very very softly in the darkness. They use an electronic ballast like all most compact fluorescent instead of the reactor (coil) ballast. I was wondering if someone with the similar problem or knowledge on the subject could share some info.
- ANSWER:
  you need a new ballast on both of the light fixtures...
QUESTION:
Garage fluorescent lights are flakey. Does this sound like a ballast problem? We have 5 ceiling-mounted, hard-wired, dual-tube flourescent lights in our garage, switched from the wall. The ballasts are black rectangular boxes. When I turn them on, two of them don't usually light. If I flip the switch 15-20 times, these lights will come on - sometimes one bulb, sometimes both bulbs, & sometimes one or both will just flicker. If I continue flipping the switch until they both illuminate fully, and leave them on for an hour or more (approximately), then they will light with no problem when I turn them off and back on again. Are fluorescent ballasts heat sensitive, so even if failing, they will work okay if heated up? Or does it sound like it could be just the bulbs? I'd just change the bulbs, but it's an 18 foot ceiling, and I'd rather at least have a clue before I climb up there and start messing around. Also, even the ballasts for these fixtures are a bit pricey, so I'd like to know before I invest the money in ballasts I may not need. Thanks!
- ANSWER:
  I am not clear of what you actually have. But I assume/picture that you have five seperate fixtures and each one holds two bulbs. If that is the case it could be the bulbs. Look at the end of the bulbs and if they are black on the white part then it is an indication that the bulbs are bad or going. Usually flouresent fixtures have seperate ballast. You complain of the 18 foot ceiling. No matter which way you go you still got to climb the 18 feet. Do the work step by step. It is unlikely that all five ballast go bad at the same time, but here is what I would do. Buy five ballast and ten bulbs. Climb to each fixture and change the bulbs. Have a helper turn on the switch for that fixture and leave the others off. If they work you know it was the bulbs. If not change the ballast -and the bulbs to start fresh. After you go thru that proccess and you find it was the bulbs, then take the ballast back for your refund. Be sure not to open the box till the fixtures light up. Depending on the age of the ballast they could all or many, go in the same time frame. I recall when in the service and they had electtricians changing many of them at the same time. One clue, what makes the life of ballast shorter is frequently turning them on and off. If you want leave them all on or turn them off at night. Second clue, hire someone to install lower suspended ceiling. In the long run it will save on electric for AC and gas for heat. Also the lower the ceiling the more the light will spread out and you may not need so many at once.
QUESTION:
Do we want our Government forcing us to use fluorescent light bulbs? Congress plans to phase out the use of incandescent light bulbs by the year 2014. While standard light bulbs cost about 50 cents, the spiral CFL sells for about . If the lamp is installed where it is frequently switched on and off, it will age rapidly. Under extreme conditions, its lifespan may be much shorter than a cheap incandescent bulb. If a fluorescent lamp is broken, mercury will contaminate the surrounding environment, which leads to evacuation of the area. Since fluorescent lamps produce a small amount of UV light, they can trigger problems among individuals with very high pathological sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Fluorescent lamps with magnetic ballasts flicker and this flickering can cause problems for some individuals with light sensitivity, they're problematic for some individuals with epilepsy, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and vertigo. I personally have a problem with the light flickering, as it triggers seizures for me. And then we have the problem of disposal when it wears out/breaks.The disposal of phosphor and particularly the toxic mercury in the tubes is an environmental issue. Governmental regulations in many areas require special disposal of fluorescent lamps separate from general and household wastes. In some areas, recycling is not available. There will develop a need for a recycling infrastructure on the proposed bans of incandescent bulbs, as well as for the fluorescent bulb disposal. The argument states that incandescent bulbs makes heat as well as light. A fluorescent bulb produces less heat, so it is much more efficient. A fluorescent bulb can produce between 50 and 100 lumen's per watt. This makes fluorescent bulbs four to six times more efficient (as far as making light) than incandescent bulbs. It makes one wonder if less energy efficient ovens will be another product ban congress will have to debate. I'd like to hear other peoples opinions on this issue. oikos-"Evacuation of the area, my eye." ::evacuate as in, leave the area. according to the directions on the container, you must "air out and leave the premise" when the bulb breaks.
- ANSWER:
  When you think about it, do you really want the Government telling you what to do about anything? Democracy is freedom of choice, and while it is a great idea to use wisely, having the Government in position of that much power is wayyyyyyyy to close to Communism for meand mine.
QUESTION:
Why do my freshwater fish freak out with a fluorescent light? Don't want to hurt them...? I used to use a fluorescent aquarium light with no problem. Then it blew so I bought a double incandescent. One of those blew so I tried screwing in a compact fluorescent (60w equivalent) and they freaked out like they were being electrocuted. So then I just got by with one incandescent. Today I bought a whole new top with a fluorescent tube in it and they act like it's radioactive. Will they get used to it?? What should I do? It's a 20 gallon freshwater and the fish are black striped tetras, and an albino catfish. Oh, and the miniature algae eater that is always hiding to begin with. Thanks!
- ANSWER:
  I hope you turn on the light in the room first instead of just turing on the tank light, since it will be like you being blindfolded then looking at the sun and removing the blindfold. Its just too fast of adjustment so if your doing that stop if not let them get used to it.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light just went out, help me solve the problem.? Overhead is a 4 tube fluorescent fixture which is about 4 years old. Just now it went out suddenly (was on before it went off) No flicker beforehand. The circuit breaker is fine. The outlets in the room are fine. I can get a ladder and change the tubes but I suspect this is not the problem. The tips of the tubes are not black. Do you think it is the ballast? Need to call an electrician? I think I can almost change it but am not sure. Any other ideas?
- ANSWER:
  Hi #'s, I'd certainly re-lamp the fixture first, and see how that works out. If that doesn't work, TRUST YOUR GUT and have someone qualified to replace the ballast take a look and test it out. I do this stuff for a living, and see A LOT of repairs done by folks that should have farmed them out to a pro. Some have some potentially fatal capabilities, so PLEASE don't undertake any repairs that you're not 100% qualified to do. People die that way. Just because it "appears" to be working correctly when it's done doesn't mean ANYTHING. It can still be waiting to KILL someone if not done correctly (switching the ground rather than the supply, etc., etc.). These are called "booby traps", and can wait patiently for YEARS before springing on an unsuspecting person.
QUESTION:
HOW DO I RECYCLE 8 Ft FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS? HOW DO I RECYCLE 8 Ft FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM AT LANDFIELDS THESE FLUORESCENT BULBS ARE CREATING FROM THE MECURY GAS THAT IS INSIDE THEM.
- ANSWER:
  You might try looking up a suitable recycling site near you on http://earth911.org/ or a similar web site.
QUESTION:
Anyone had problems using compact fluorescent bulbs in Hampton Bay ceiling fan light kits? We have three identical fans. I only bought four of the bulbs (Feit Electric brand, Home Depot) at first because I wanted to try them out before outfitting all of the fans. LOVED the lights in the first fan; they were so much brighter (60 watt equivalent in the 40 watt max fixture). So now I've been trying to replace the ones in the other two fans. I have bought and returned more bulbs than I can remember now because they didn't work. Incandescents work fine, though, in the same socket. Is it the fixture?
- ANSWER:
  No, it's the bulbs. Those things are notorious for not working and for people getting "duds" in a pack. I bought a bunch at one time trying to be conservative and do the right thing and probably 50% of them didn't work. I've had other people tell similar stories.
QUESTION:
Could I have a fluorescent light allergy? Whenever I get around lights that are too bright for too long Everything starts turning white, I sweat alot and start getting over heated, I a little problem breathing, i get dizzy, and almost pass out.
- ANSWER:
  I think it's more a light sensitivity thing, my friend has epilepsy and has a fit whenever she is near bright or flickering lights. Go see your doctor it definitely sounds like a medical problem
QUESTION:
I need help diagnosing the problem with a fluorescent light fixture.? This fixture and two others installed within the last few years by the same installer have simply stopped working. The bulbs do not glow or flicker, there is no discernible hum or buzz. I have power to the switch, and have replaced the switch with no success. However, if I bridge the wires themselves with a tester, the light fixture immediately comes on, and will stay on until the switch is flipped off again. With the light I'm referring to, at the time this problem began, we had an older UPS fail on the same circuit. Those wall outlets all still test live. What do I check next, or is the proper tool for this problem the phone book? There are no starters - it is a quite new rapid-start fixture. There is no flickering, no humming, no glowing. The fixture lights immediately when the wires at the switch are bridged. This does not sound like any of the possible bad ballast scenarios I have ever read. If the ballast were faulty, would the light come on at all?
- ANSWER:
  did you check the ballast?
QUESTION:
Anyone else have a problem with Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs? Now i'm all for the lastest and greatest technology, and understand the importance of energy efficiency, so when these CFL's hit the market bragging at having a bulb life span of more than six times that of an average bulb, i was more than happy to swap out all the bulbs in my workshop with CFL's equivelant to 100w. Now the strange cold white light, for some reason just doesn't feel as nice as the brass colored light of a normal incandescent bulb, but i suppose i can deal with that and get used to it. However, after having these in for a month, i began having troubles with a few of them not lighting up properly, like the little things had bad ballasts in them that were making them stay in that buzzing "Half-on" state. My brother often left the lights on in the shop, and soon i began finding these bulbs actually cracking and shattering randomly! That's (a tiny amount of) mercury in there! I'd just randomly find them broke open! Anyone else abandon CFL's for reasons like this? And just to clarify, i'm not concerned in the least bit about the mercury. It's the broken glass and sudden lack of light that irritates me, especially when the darn thing cost several times as much as an incandescent bulb, i'd hope it would at least survive longer, since despite being more efficient, if i have to replace them 3 times as often, i'm going to be spending more money on the bulbs than they are saving me. Besides which, i don't want to have to be replacing bulbs in my shop every week. The only major electrical appliances in our shop are all 220v (welder, plasma cutter, air compressor) and the other 120v stuff either has not been in use (wood working tools) or is very small (cordless drill chargers, radio). My father put his big electronic gizmo on there to make sure we had a good clean power source. It is not a heated garage, only uses some electric baseboard heaters to keep the interior above 40 degrees so stuff doesn't freeze and it's not unbearable in the winter.
- ANSWER:
  I bought a 3pak, and although they were spendy, they have lasted almost 2 years so far. I then saw they had three paks for almost a third of the cost at the local Walmart, so I bought five. These cfl bulbs lasted about 2 weeks, and simply don't work after awhile, no burn or scorch marks like on normal tube style lights. After opening the last package, I noticed something. "Made in China". The US made cfls are still going strong, and I have a big bag of Chinese crap to take to the Haz Waste center. I guess "cheaper" means more than the price.
QUESTION:
fluorescent light burned out? I put a fluorescent light bulb in place of incandescent one in my floor lamp but it burned out after a few days or sometimes it won't turn on. what could be the problem? http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ms-Floor-Combo-Black-Ca/13278917 this one. though it seems to be ok for fluorescent bulb mine kept burning out
- ANSWER:
  make sure the tab in the middle of the socket is making good contact. with the power off pry the tab down to make contact. the lamp makes contact with the side of the shell and the center tab over time screwing the bulb in tightly pushes the tab further in the socket until it makes bad contact
QUESTION:
Fluorescent fish tank light dim even after replacement bulb? Does anyone know the common problem that could be causing this? The hood is fine and it seems foolish to spend on a new light assembly. I took the lighting assembly apart to see if there were any loose connections or any obvious wiring problems and didn't find anything wrong. I was hoping it was the bulb but when I replaced the bulb it was still incredibly dim. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My light is a 30 inch light used on a 29 gallon tank.
- ANSWER:
  It could very well be a solenoid, fuse, or ballast problem, depending on your light. You can generally get a replacement from many fish/pet stores or online. Try searching for replacement parts for the light you have.
QUESTION:
I have a fluorescent tube light that constantly buzzes. Any ideas? I have tried replacing the starter / ballast with no success. I could try replacing the tube but that would be an expensive option if thats not the problem. Any ideas?
- ANSWER:
  Umm...turn it off. duh!

fluorescent light problems

Fixing Fluorescent Lights

2012-10-13T23:06:00.000+08:00

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
How do I fix Fluorescent light? I recently installed 4(2 bulb) fluorescent lights -about a month ago. They worked fine til recently one bulb in one light went out. Replaced bulb same thing??? New fixtures so no "starter". If ballast was bad wouldn't it affect both bulbs?
- ANSWER:
  Its not the Ballast first of all. Sometimes bulbs will go bad fast depending on shipping mishandling where inner filaments are damaged some or manufacturers. Just replace both bulbs instead of just 1. See how long it will last. If they burn out again then you have a short in the end connectors. Dont bother changing the ballasts.I recommend a return for a totally new fixture before the manufacturer warranty runs out.
QUESTION:
How do I fix the noise on fluorescent lights? I checked all the light bulbs but still hear a loud buzz/humm. The lights are across the entire room on both sides, giving wonderful mood lighting, but the noise is too annoying. Any thoughts as to how to fix this problem? Thank you
- ANSWER:
  The noise that you hear is from the ballast within each light. As they age the ballast begin to buzz. You can change them out by removing the bulbs and the cover plate. You'll see where all the wires are connected to the ballast. Good luck.
QUESTION:
Need to fix fluorescent kitchen lights- fixtures not lighting up completely. Any ideas? I bought new bulbs for my 2 kitchen lights thinking my bulbs were burned out but they're still not working right. I have a round fluorescent light fixture as well as a fixture that contains 6 very long lights. I turn the switch on & it turns on but very very faintly like it's not getting enough power or something. Is this something I can fix myself or should I call an electrician? I don't have too much experience with this stuff but do have a little bit of general knowledge. Any ideas anyone?
- ANSWER:
  You probably have an old fixture with a magnetic ballast driving T12 bulbs. T12 means 12/8ths of an inch, in other words 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Virtually all such fixtures, standard before about 1988, are driven by a magnetic ballast that lasts at least 25 years (often much longer) but is fairly inefficient and makes an annoying flicker. Bulbs driven by magnetic ballasts strobe at 60 times a second, the same speed as AC power. Your ballast, or the starter which is really a replaceable part of the ballast, is dying, and should be replaced. Switch to a fixture with T8 bulbs (one inch in diameter) driven by an electronic ballast, which will strobe at about 20,000 times a second. That will eliminate your flicker and give you better lighting and better efficiency (since a 4 foot T8 uses between 25 and 34 watts, rather than 40, per bulb, to put out the same amount of light.) A new shop light type fixture currently costs .50 at Home Depot, so it doesn't make sense to just replace the ballast alone and fiddle with the wiring. Since every T8 fixture is electronic, and strobes at that fast rate, all you have to do is look for a T8 fixture. If your current fixture is hard wired, you might have to have someone a little bit handy in to put in a terminal box to plug the new fixture in, or buy a hard wired fixture for about , but it's worth it. I assume you have one of those recessed box part-of-the-ceiling type kitchen arrangements, with a 'lens' (see through plastic sheeting) between you and the lights, so no one will ever see what kind of fixture you put up there. You don't need to get anything pretty. Once you've done that, I'd recommend getting full spectrum bulbs for your new long fixture - try lightforhealth.com. Unfortunately, as far as I know, you can't replace the round fixture with a similar electronic ballast type fixture. No one makes an electronic-ballast version of a Circline fixture. You might just have to live with that until it completely dies, or replace it with a compact fluorescent (which fits a regular light socket), wiring up a regular closet-type ceramic socket, but that would also require a little rewiring. No help for that. Or if you're willing to do the drywalling and painting required, you could put in a recessed can fixture, with a compact fluorescent in there. I'm hardly an electrician, but this isn't much of a challenge if you're willing to get into the wiring a little. You'll get instructions in any new fixture on how to wire it into your existing setup.
QUESTION:
How can I fix my Fluorescent light? I have a fluorescent light in my bathroom. It started to flicker so I replace the light bulbs. Two weeks later, it is doing it again? What is the problem? How do I fix it?
- ANSWER:
  Sounds like you need a new ballast, the black rectangular object inside the fixture. Turn off the light, remove the lamp/s and pan. Inside you will see a ballast with 8 wires. Disconnect the black and white wires. Now cut the red, blue and yellow wires, about 6 inches from the ballast. Remove the ballast supporting screw and the ballast will come out. It is heavier than it appears, so be ready. It may also be leaking a tarry substance, avoid touching this. Make note of the numbers on the ballast (eg. F40 - T12) and dispose of it. Install a ballast with the same markings. Connect the wires colour to colour, 1 red to 1 red, 1 blue to 1 blue, 1 yellow to 1 yellow and the same with the rest. Last connections are white to white and black to black. Use marrettes to make these joints. (Be sure to pick up new lamp/s and 6 # 31 marrettes when buying the ballast.) Reinstall the pan and lamps. That's it, hit the switch.
QUESTION:
Fixing a burnt out a compact fluorescent light bulb? I have been buying these CFL light bulbs to save energy even though they cost more and they never even make it close to the life of a normal bulb. So when one of them burnt out the other day I took it apart and it had a circuit board in it so I put a new circuit board out of a new CFL in it and the old light bulb lit right up. So I was wondering if anyone knows what has to be replaced on the circuit board to make it work again.
- ANSWER:
  Look at where they are made. When I first went to CFL I bought the cheapest and they lasted about as long as a regular bulb. Now I buy only from name brands and none made in China. Some of those have been in use for more than 5 years. Also if you turn the light off and on often, a CFL may not be the best bulb.
QUESTION:
When it rains fluorescent lights don't work? I know it sounds crazy but whenever it rains or there is humidity in the air my lights won't come on. I have one over the kitchen sink and the other is a 4 bulb fluorescent in the ceiling. Any advise would be appreciated. I have been told it's the ballasts but I don't want to buy them if it doesn't fix the problem. Many thanks Jeanne
- ANSWER:
  If your house has a lot of humitidy, the connections at the bulb socket might have oxidized is the only thing I would think would cause this. Do you have any other electrical problems when it rains? You might also have water damage in your meter or panel box. If this persists call an electrical contractor in your area to have it checked out. go here to find someone in your area or check the phone book http://hiampelectric.com/electrical_contractor.aspx
QUESTION:
fluorescent lights on a powerhouse x10 blink at night? when I turn my fluorescent lights out at night, I notice the ones that are connected to a powerhouse x10 module blink about once per second. will a different module fix this? Will this wear out the bulb prematurely?
- ANSWER:
  X10 lamp modules should not be used with fluorescent lights. You need an appliance module. Highly recommend the Smarthome website for X10 products. Dimmable fluorescent lights are now available and Smarthome offers compatible X10 modules. Links provided below~
QUESTION:
How do I fix an undercabinet fluorescent light that won't remain lit? I turn it on and it comes on. But a little while later, it goes out. None of the other ones in the kitchen do this. What is the remedy?
- ANSWER:
  Try replacing the bulb, if that doesn't work it is probably a bad ballast. Usually the ballasts are not easily replaceable on these smaller models so you might be replacing the whole light.
QUESTION:
i need to fix my fluorescent light? The two little prongs on the end and a little wooden thing holding them kinda broke and fell out so they wont stay still when i just try to put it in its place. (the just bend over) and i know that it still lights up cuz it lit up for about a second. does anybody know anyway to kinda make them stay still? i cant buy another one because its a very expensive black light ( about 0) so thats out of the option.
- ANSWER:
  If you are speaking of the pins on the ends of your bulb, they are anchored to the base by epoxy glue. You may be able to re-glue the pins using the same method. Just take your time and just use enough epoxy to do the job. Let it set for at least 24 hours before attempting to reinsert the bulb back into the socket. I'm sorry but I'm not aware of a "little wooden thing" on a fluorescent bulb. Good luck!
QUESTION:
I have Fluorescent lights in two rooms of my house. All but one fixture is not working properly.? When I lift the switch to turn them on, they usually only turn on dimly. If I turn them off and on about 7 times in a row they will come on normally -but not always. At other times I can slap the side of the fixture and then it will work properly. How can I fix it?
- ANSWER:
  Sounds like the ballasts or starters are bad. Make sure the bulbs are installed correctly, but I am thinking the ballasts or starters are bad,
QUESTION:
i have one circuit going to my shed. when i turn the fluorescent lights on the radio gets static. ? i think it's caused by the harmonics but how could i fix it?
- ANSWER:
  check your ground wire, but it is most probably due to the electrical noise given off by the fluorescent light, have you tried moving the radio about your shed? is it just when you turn it on, or is it constant static from the minute you switch it on till the minute you switch it off? most likely cause is the placement of the radio in relation to the live wires in your shed, as these give off a electromagnetic field (E.M.F.) , try moving the radio across to the other side of the shed, and see if it improves hope this helps will
QUESTION:
How can we determine the numbers of fluorescent light fixtiures needed for a fixed area and fixed height? The numbers of fluorescent light fixtures that should be installed in a room to give suitable amount of light according to the standards specifications is required.
- ANSWER:
  Depends on the number and type of fluorescent lamps in each fixture, the mounting height of the fixtures, the reflectance of the surfaces in the room, the dimensions of the room, and the coefficient of utilization of the fixtures, as well as the required footcandles, and at what height above the floor those footcandles should be measured. But you'll come out ABOUT 1 fixture for each 56 sq ft (each fixture assumed to have 4 ea 4-ft 40-watt fluorescent lamps. here's a lighting layout estimator http://www.gelighting.com/na/business_lighting/education_resources/tools_software/toolkit/layout.htm
QUESTION:
Shattered Fluorescent lamp bulb. Do we clean everything? We were fixing a kitchen light and had to replace those fluorescent light bulbs (the long tube ones you see in offices and schools), and one shattered over the sink and some shards got onto clean dishes. Do I have to rewash and clean everything? I heard these bulbs have mercury in them.
- ANSWER:
  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please, clean everything. I know it will take some time, but it's worth it.The big fat ones had a lot of mercury in them. (T-12) The newer ones (T-8) don't have any. This is why the old ones are being phased out.
QUESTION:
How do I fix this fluorescent light? I have a fluorescent light in my kitchen over the sink. A week or so ago it started flickering for quite a long time before it lit. Then it started to flicker intermittently while it was lit. This evening I was cleaning up from dinner and the light just went out with a cloud of blue smoke. The bulb now just lights right at the ends. (I am, or course, not using it anymore.) What do I do with this? The light is built in to the ceiling. Under the cover there is the bulb which connects with four pins into the socket. There is also a silver can with a hole in it next to the bulb. I'm concerned with the smoke that came out of the fixture.
- ANSWER:
  Ok It sounds like the starter went out on you,and you need to replace it,and the bulbs.If you grab the bulb with your finger tips,about 4" from each end,and turn the bulb a 1/4 turn the bulb shuld pull down out of the socket.There should be a round silver thing that looks kind of like a battery.Grab it with your fingers,and twist it a 1/3 turn,and it should pull out.Go to hardware store,and get new bulbs,and a starter exactly like the ones that came out.Put the new ones back in,and turn on the switch.If all went well your light is working fine.If not,you might need a ballast,and if so,that is another problem.
QUESTION:
how do i fix my fluorescent light? my light bulb gets a soft red hue at the ends only- i cant seem to get any actual light from it though- i twist and turn and hear a popping noise and am guessing that is the point i should keep it at but why then am i getting no light even with new bulbs??? ty
- ANSWER:
  If it is just a generic light it will be cheaper to replace the entire light fixture. But it it is a custom fixture, just go to an electricial store and buy a new ballast. It could be a ballast or it could be you are using the new 34 watt green tubes (identified by the green ends) in an older light with a ballast that can't handle the mismatch. Older lights used 40 watt tubes that are no longer made. The new ballast can handle both types. Another problem could be if you have a very old light and it requires a starter to fire the bulb. And it could be bad. Mike
QUESTION:
how to fix flickering 12v lights in RV? I friend runs a mobile vet clinic and she has 12v fluorescent lights overhead. After a few minutes, they start to flicker and then crap out. They're all tied to the same switch. Is it just a bad bulb that is throwing off the bunch or should I be looking for something else?
- ANSWER:
  clean the switch contacts, and the battery cables,scrub until theres brite shiny metal, check to see if theres corrosion inside the cables near the battery,they may need to be replaced
QUESTION:
How do I fix the power button/switch on my aquarium fluorescent strip light? It's a Perfecto brand 72" strip lights. When i press the button, it doesn't click stop anymore. The lights start to go on when i press it, but when i release it, it turns off. And when i do manage to turn on the lights after several tries, its hard to turn it back off.
- ANSWER:
  The contacts on the switch might be either loose or corroded due to water. If could simply replace the switch. You cay buy one of those switches at Home Depot or Lowes.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent lights change my whole face!? At home while getting ready my skin looks fine, my pores aren't very visible, and my face color is even. When I get to school and look at my face in the mirror under fluorescent lighting, my whole appearance changes! Every little flaw on my face is brought out! And ideas on what is happening? Or how I can fix this? I don't have any acne, but my pores are medium sized, and my faces coloring tends to get a bit uneven at times.
- ANSWER:
  Whats happening? Basically the Fluorescent light is most likely brighter then the light at your house.. This will show up evey little blackhead, scar and pimple..
QUESTION:
Fluorescent lights killing my eyes!? I absolutely hate going out to the store because when I do I get dizzy, my eyes get really red & burn, i get a migraine and I can concentrate on anything. This also happened to me at work, I would get so dizzy that sometimes I would feel like I was about to fall down it became so bad I had to quit my job. and also when I was in school I couldn't read books because the words seemed like they where jumping of the page it would be really frustrating and this is all happening from fluorescent lights If someone could help me out or has advice they could give me to fix this problem that would be great!! Thank you!
- ANSWER:
  I just want to share suggestions to you to overcome your eyes problem. I had the same problem with you where when i look at the light, i my eyes become reddened,full of pressure and my head like a stone put on there.What i do when i got this problem is to wash my head with water and to exercise my eyes by looking at green color such as the green tree.Try to take carrot as your daily diet. http://tambah-pendapatan-sampingan.blogspot.com/
QUESTION:
Is it normal for a fluorescent light bulb to last 9 years with heavy daily use? I don't guess this is a parenting question, but do any of you know? My kitchen lights are 16 feet up and I am having a handy man fix the fan today and while he is up there on the ladder I wonder if I should have him change them. They were here when we got the house, so I don't know how long they have been working, but at least 9.5 years. They are super bulbs I guess....What is the normal life of a kitchen light, lol?
- ANSWER:
  We have had our house 5 years now, and our lights still work. Not sure how long before us they were put in. I would go a head and have him change the bulbs if you have the money for them, and if there is a casing around it ask him to bring it down so you can clean it.
QUESTION:
Why do my new fluorescent light bulbs flick when I turn the switch off? I recently bought fluorescent light bulbs to change the old ones. At night, when I turn the switches off I can see some of the new bulbs flickering. Why is this happening? What can I do to fix it? Additional info: The switch does not make any sound or buzz. It didn't happen with my old incandescent light bulbs. They keep doing this indefinitely (I see them flicking at dawn) My flat is old and so I guess the electrical wiring is old as well
- ANSWER:
  Start by replacing the switches, simple job, two wires, your done. It sounds like the switch is going bad and is not completely turning off. If you don't understand all the safety concerns about working with electricity, find someone that does and get them to do it.
QUESTION:
Why can't they make fluorescent light less white? Couldn't they change the color on the bulb itself, or change the gasses inside? Fluorescent light is really ugly compared to incandescent light, I'm just wondering why it's so hard to fix.
- ANSWER:
  They do. They are available in "cool white" which is more the "bright white" that you are talking about, and they are available in "warm white" which has a more yellow/warm tone to it. Those tones are available in virtually all forms of flourescent bulbs now, from sticks to floods and lamp bulbs.
QUESTION:
fluorescent shop light wont light up unless i jiggle the bulbs. how can i fix this? When i pull the chain nothing happens. I have to mess with the tubes to get them to light. Have had this problem since day 1. Any suggestions?
- ANSWER:
  Usually it's the recepticals at the ends of the fixture. Turn the breaker off for safety and with the bulb out try to tighten the metal where the bulb pins make contact or perhaps the receptical itself is loose in the fixture.
QUESTION:
how to remove & fix a fluorescent tube? i have problem with fixing a new fluorescent lamp,i have change the starter & the fluorescent lamp...i tried switching on the lights but no light at all...am i fixing the lamp wrongly?i have no problem with the starter,just the fluorescent lamp... sry about that...just want to know if i fix the lamp wrongly,will it cause it not to light up.
- ANSWER:
  i'm a little confused w/your question but, first of all if it's new why not just take it back and swap it out for on that works. if you want to keep going, is this a plug end or are you doing the wiring at the source...if so make sure you are following the colors right, black/white/green all have match right w/today's electronic ballasts or they won't work right. next make sure you are getting the pins in right in the sockets, they can be tricky and lastly, if you've don all that put you hand on the ballast when it's plugged in, it should feel slightly warm or semi hot, if itdoesn'tt then the ballast is no good.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent ballast question? I have a two bulb T12 fluorescent light fixture and for some reason only one bulb lights up. I changed bulbs to rule out a burnt bulb but it did not fix the problem. Only one side lights up while the other does not. When I turn it on it does not make any noise that I can hear and turns on without a problem. It' just one side does not turn on. Does that mean I have to replace the ballast? Or could it be just be a wiring issue?
- ANSWER:
  Replace the Starter when: The fluorescent lamp lights only at the ends. Replace the Fluorescent Lamp when: the lamp blinks continuously. Replace the Ballast when: The light is completely out and you are sure the lamp is good. I would say it is the ballast. Be sure to take your old one into the store with you for a match up. You would be surprised how many different ones there are. All look the same but are very different.
QUESTION:
I installed a fluorescent light and it won't turn on.? We just installed new fluorescent light bulbs in the bathroom, but the light doesn't turn on; it flickers but never completely engages. What can I do to fix this? Is there maybe a certain direction that the bulb is supposed to be put in? We installed this light and tried everything we could, but it still only flickers. I don't think there is anything wrong with the starter, but we can't figure out the problem. Could the wattage be wrong? Does it has to be a specific wattage to work?
- ANSWER:
  You may have the bulbs installed incorrectly, and the bulb is not making a good contact, or you might have a short in the unit.
QUESTION:
Our fluorescent tube light switches off after about an hour or so. If I turn off the switch for 5-10 minutes? and then switch on, it starts.... Can I fix the problem without investing again on another tube light frame?
- ANSWER:
  The problem may be in the bulb or the starter or the baluster, depending on a few things. If the end of the bulb is starting to turn black it MAY then be the bulb. If you have a screw in starter (small silver cylinder) then it is probably the starter. If you have no starter and the bulb is not turning black then the baluster may be starting to go bad. It shuts off because it is overheating. Turning it off and then back on let it cool down. You can just replace the baluster. But by the time you hire an electrician (if you can't do it yourself) a new fixture might be cheaper (if you can install the new one yourself.
QUESTION:
Is it possible to change the color temperature of a linear fluorescent lamp by dimming it ? I have three lamps, let me say t5 fluorescent, that have different color temperatures and I would like to get a desired color temperature by dimming them at different rates? I know that fluorescent lamps have fixed color temperatures but is it possible? If not how can i set up such a lighting circuit rather than using incandescent lamps? Cold cathode maybe? or LED ?
- ANSWER:
  what about using coloured cellophane it will resist the heat of a flourescent and there are many different colours to chose from as well as how much is used along the length,its difficult to dim flourescent lights but not imposible with special circuits-as much as i know?
QUESTION:
What to do with our light (fluorescent bulb)? Everytime we turn it off, it will not work if I turn it on again. I have to climb up and turn the bulb to make it light up again. What is wrong? What will I do to fix this?
- ANSWER:
  As already stated: 1) Try Brand new bulbs. If the old ones are t12's, replace them with t12's. NOT t8's. If they are t8's do NOT replace them with t12's. 2) Next thing would be the starter, IF there is one. It's silver, round and (usually) goes into the side of the fixture. It "rotates" to either remove or replace. Lowe's, Home Depot and most other good hardware stores stock them. 3) Last, but not least is the ballast. If you end up replacing it, make sure that the bulbs you get WILL go with the ballast. and yes, if the bulbs end's start to turn gray, black or brown, it's time to replace them. Good luck in all you do and may God bless.
QUESTION:
Orange flourescent tube lights? I have a pair of 2 fluorescent tube lights that wont light up correctly. When I turn the switch on, the ends of the tubes dimly glow orange. What does this mean and how do I fix it? Please help ASAP.
- ANSWER:
  It is a little hard to specify exactly without seeing the the ballast type, but this is characteristic of 1 1/12" (F40T12) lamps, the ballast needs to heat the cathodes at the end of the lamp to allow the arc to be established. If you can see cathodes glowing then that end is good, but the other end may have failed. If all 4 ends glow then the ballast has failed and cannot establish the arc, or if your fixture is really old it may have an " fs-4 starter" that has failed. If it is a failed fs-4 style starter with the power on and lamps installed try twisting the starter out, if the lamps start then the starter is definitely the fault. It could also mean you have put in the wrong lamps, and the ballast is not capable of operating the lamps you have installed, check the label on the ballast and only use lamps that specifically match.
QUESTION:
I live in apt in nj.my state inspection ppl wants to remove flurocent light from the wall?why? I live in Apt in NJ.Every five years they have state inspection conducted.I have fluorescent light that I fix on my wall.I have make them very secure,but they wants me to remove.I don't see any really fire hazard from that and other side they don't mind for those loose wires that all ways hang from our TV,VCR or any appliances you may have.To me its more dangerous then my fluorescent light.Don't you think this is really stupid?
- ANSWER:
  Because those lights do not meet state building code. That was not a request, that is an order to remove them Failure to do so means eviction, fines and possibly jail time.
QUESTION:
Fixing a 28W 2D Main Luminair Lighting ( ceiling )? At my place I got a light on a ceiling that went dark! That Luminair lighting doesnt require a Starter ( not the usual ones you can just screw-in ). I put a new fluorescent light bulb in and checked the electricity! All seem to work fine! But the light is still not working! Do I have to adjust something underneath the shade ( under the cover of the bulb )? This light has the usual positive, negative and neutral pole on it and beside those cable fittings is a big box, which might contain some form of starter. But its hard to get into that little box! Well the light bulb blew one day and now it wont turn on again ( with a new bulb )! I hate those lights without those obvious starters to change!
- ANSWER:
  Replace the Ballast
QUESTION:
Town home lights started to flicker a few days ago. What could be the cause? My family and I live in a three story town home. We've been living here since December '08. It has a open floor plan but the kitchen isn't connected. Monday night the lamps in the living room and the dining room chandelier started to flicker. It kept doing so throughout the night. Tuesday my bedroom lights were flickering but I couldn't tell if they were doing so downstairs. Last night the lights in the living and dining room did the same thing. This is the only thing. The computers and televisions throughout didn't flicker at all thank goodness. A electrician came out yesterday for our microwave. Over a month ago it tripped the power four times. This happened off and on whenever we would use the microwave. Unfortunately the last time the microwave was in use died out for a few minutes then came back on. Our landlord replaced it with the same brand and this microwave killed out for a few seconds just like the first. I told the electrician who came out yesterday to fix the problem about the flickering lights. Since he saw the lights in the kitchen flicker he just stated that it was the fluorescent lights doing that. We have two sets of lights, one a fan and the other the fluorescent lights. They both were flickering but he just paid attention the fluorescent lights. If there was a problem with the circuit box wouldn't the electrician notice that? I'm not electricity savvy and I won't touch nothing electric. What could be the cause of our lights flickering? Any stupid answers such as a poltergeist or ghost will automatically get a thumbs down. If this will be your answer, don't bother answering it.
- ANSWER:
  It sounds like you have a loose connection somewhere in the circuit it could be the Hot wire or the neutral it could be at the distribution panel or in a junction box If it affected the whole house or apartment I would say it could be the service however you said its just certain lights. I would locate which circuit breaker those lights are on and turn it off then check all my connection on switches, wire nuts circuit breakers and neutral bar. Usually that is the problem and loose connections cause fires! If they were on arc suppression circuits they most likely would trip that circuit have them checked if you feel you are not qualified.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent Light fixture *Hum* grounding Issue? I installed three new 48" fluorescent light fixtures in my shop. My shop is a metal style carport garage. I wired them in using normal household 14-awg wire in the standard white/black/bare solid copper wire. The black and white went to the ballast and the bare copper wire went to the green ground wire that just grounds to the body of the fixture. All three lights are on one string of wire connected to a light switch and then going to the breaker box with their own 15-amp breaker. The light fixtures are mounted directly to the metal framing of the garage with a 3/8" thick by 1" wide universal automotive weatherstripping in 48" strips so the metal fixture case don't come into contact to the metal framing of the garage. The lights have been hooked up for a few days now but I just got bulbs today. When I turn the lights on the fixtures buzz/hum quite loud. When I read the manual that came with the fixtures it says that a buzz/hum could be caused from a bad ground. If it is a bad ground I don't see what I did wrong. I used all new 14awg wire, and installed them on a their own 15-amp breaker. Ive checked all the connections at the breaker box and light fixtures and light switch they are all connected. So my questions are: Could this be just because the lights are new? Or it's 40*f here, Could cold weather cause them to hum? If it is a grounding issue, Should I take the bare copper (green) ground and connect it to the metal framing of the garage as well as the fixture case? OR what other things can I do to fix the ground (if that is the issue)? BTW: The "hum" is not the normal fluorescent light hum, This is quite loud, Ive never herd one this loud before. Thanks for your time! ***responce to answers*** It IS grounded all the way to the box. Im sure the box is grounded to the earth because it just passed inspection in july when I bought the house. I forgot to mention, the breaker box is the house's breaker box. I have two power leads from the main house breaker box to the shop. One for plugs and one for lights. Both are wired with outdoor grade 12 awg wire and then connected in the shop to the indoor 14awg wire. They are cheap lowe's light fixtures. Im 99% sure they are indoor lights. I never figured tempture would effect the lights. I figured indoor = Dry outdoor = wet. Never thought about the tempature. Thanks for the help.
- ANSWER:
  Do you have a sub panel in this shop I think that is what I am reading here. You say two hot wires then you have to have a neutral and if you do not have a fourth wire then you do not have a ground in this shop. Or do you have two 12/2 w/ grounds ran to the shop and if this is the case then you do have two circuits and two neutral and two grounds. If you do have 2 12/ 2 wires ran then you do have a ground and you said all connections are tight. So now if you do have proper grounding then you can go to the next step. I would venture to say to undo one light at a time and turn them on after you have taken one off the circuit, it could be one has a bad ballast or even loose on the mounting device. If you can eliminate the one that is bad or loose you have done what you asked. Look on the ballast it should tell you a F or C rating this is how cold the ballast will work to. Some ballast do not work below freezing and some ar rated at -20 degrees. They do make a light ballast that goes outside called high output ballast but you would be better off not to spend this kind of money in a shed for this purpose. I have purchased cheap lights that are rated for -20 F and they work fine for the most part. Maybe you just do not have the lights tight or the ballast are loose as I said in the light and this could be your problem as well. Good Luck :)
QUESTION:
Why do my legs look all splotchy and discolored when I stand? At home (no fluorescent lights) my legs get discolored when I stand; they get all splotchy red and weird. My knees always have the most of the weird ugly color. At school, my legs are splotchy purple and my knees are really purple. The fluorescent lights at school really heighten that ugly color. But, when I sit down for a while, my legs turn to a normal even tone; but when I stand up again they get splotchy quick. Why is this? Is it bad circulation? Can I fix it?
- ANSWER:
  I have the exact same thing. People are always saying "Wow! Your legs are like purple!" I've gone to the doctor to have mine checked out, and I have very poor circulation throughout my body., (I have it all over my body). Most likely you do have bad circulation. A way to help when you sit, is to not cross your legs, sit Indian style, or straighten your legs for too long. Sitting this way only makes your legs go numb and lose circulation easier. When you sit, just move your legs every once in a while. Compression stockings can help as well. They provide support to the veins, which can help them to pump blood back to the heart. Soaking your legs and feet in warm water for at least 15 minutes a day helps as well. The water helps your blood vessels relax, which help with circulation. I recommended, when you're at home, just elevate your legs above your heart for at least 30 minutes. So just sit back, elevate your legs higher than your chest, & watch tv =] Chiropractors and massages are also great for poor circulation since chiropractors help with the flow of the body, and massages help manually with circulation. Don't smoke, try to stay away from condensed milk products (white refined flour in them, caffeine, & red meat.) For some people, eating more garlic, drinking grape juice, & taking more vitamin E has been known to help. And, or course, exercising & eating right can help as well. If you're not a big exercise person (like me) walk in place while you watch tv for 30 minutes, then elevate your legs for another 30 minutes. Hope it helps =] it's helped me a lot.
QUESTION:
changed out old fluorescent light fixture to new ones? changed out old fluorescent light fixture to new ones old ones had two ballast and the new one has one ballast hooked the new lights the same way as the old ones and the lights wont turn on it's 2 sets of lights on a 2 way switch. what can i do to fix it? the old lights were t12 the new ones are t8, so there is is t8 lights in the new fixture, the lights do work to trouble shoot I hooked up the lights white to white & black to black, when done i turn the power on lights come on and switch does not affect the lights, when hooked up the other way i put black to black and white to red, turn power on lights are off and switch does not affect the lights. Do i need to hook up black to red and white to white?
- ANSWER:
  Did you buy new lamps? If you bought a new fixture, it takes T8 (or T5) lamps. Chances are good that your old fixture took T12 lamps. These do not work well (or not at all) with new electronic ballasts. If I'm wrong, update the question
QUESTION:
Fluorescent Lighting In Kitchen? A couple of years ago, I purchased my first place. But now that means I have to do my own maintenance. No more calling the maintenance man from the apartment complex to fix things. The home improvement stores love to see us single women come there, because they "know" most of us don't know what we are doing. Dang it to the 10th power!!! The fluorescent lights have gone out or more or less flickering and not providing enough light in my kitchen and I'm trying to figure out how to replace them. There are two bulbs in the ceiling. I pulled on them slightly and they wouldn't budge. I'm afraid to tug harder for fear of messing up the ceiling outlet. Am I supposed to be twisting them out of there or doing something else? Dang. I hate to have to call someone and pay for something like this. Can someone help me? I need to replace the bulbs, but I can't seem to pull the old ones out. The bulbs are straight. The bulbs have a black rim around them on one end. I guess they are spent.
- ANSWER:
  There are a couple of types of fluorescent lamps. One has two pins and the other is spring loaded single pin. For the 2 pin style one should twist the lamp 90 degrees and the lamp should pull free. Be careful not to exert too much pull as the lamps will fracture and douse you with glass. Don't stand directly under lamp to avoid and glass or residue. TURN FIXTURE OFF before doing anything. The spring loaded lamps can be removed by pushing one way or the other about half an inch and pulling down. Wearing gloves would be a good idea. Careful examination of lamp holders will tell you which type lamp you have. The double pin holder will have a small gap on the bottom of the holder to allow bulb change. The spring loader single pin holder will be solid on the bottom. If you break a lamp don't panic or jump down quickly. Wait a couple of seconds and avoid crushing glass into your floor or cutting yourself. I used to place a trash can near the bottom of the ladder so I could dispose of the lamp with a minimun of handling. The powder inside the lamp can be harmful if ingested. Not likely to happen.
QUESTION:
How do you stop the annoying buzz from a fluorescent fixture? I have some under-the-cupboard fluorescent fixtures in my kitchen. One fixture is buzzing and it's very annoying. I switched the bulb and it seems to be worse. Should I replace the ballast (is it that little metal cylinder you can unscrew) or what's the fix to this? I can't afford to buy updated lighting, so that's not an answer. Thank you.
- ANSWER:
  use an electronic ballast and bulbs to match the ballast. what kind of fluorescent is it? how long are the bulbs? try amazon for the ballast and bulbs. the home centers usually only have them in standard sizes.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent light flickers while off. How do I fix it? I just replaced a regular candescent fixture in my garage with a double T8 4 foot long flurescent light fixture. One of the bulbs flickers constantly for hours while the switch is off. I actually replaced the switch.. same problem. Replaced the bulb... same problem. Both the light and switch are grounded. There is another new exact fluorescent fixture on the circuit which works fine. Thanks!!! Thanks so far for the great advice. It sounds like I've got a wire switched somewhere. So my new fluorescent fixtures each have a black, red, and green wire. Black gets hot, correct? If the black and red were switched, would it matter? Some fixtures I install only have 2 blacks (and the green). Thanks!!
- ANSWER:
  Somewhere in the electrical system, there's a wire crossed, a neutral hooked to a hot side, or vise versa, that's causing a feedback situation for that one circuit. It wouldn't show up in an incandescent bulb socket, but it will with a florescent in it's place.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent (Swirly type) light bulb - problem w/Motion Sensor? I changed out the regular light bulb w/the swirly kind on the front porch. It's a motion sensing light and has always worked fine. With the new bulb, once the light goes on it stays on all night and I have to turn it off in the morning. I've tried all the switches, changing timing, distance, etc. Anyone have any ideas to fix? Thanks.
- ANSWER:
  fluorescent bulbs are not recommended for motion detector lights. not mine anyway. put the old bulb back in and forget about it.
QUESTION:
How to fix this CENTURY flourescent LIGHTING System CG28? picture!? I have a little problem fixing this Lighting system on several locations! http://twitpic.com/4qybxj Its a CENTURY LIGHTING fluorescent light system with the model number CG28. Since the bulb burnt out I seem to cant get it back up again! The little fuse is still OK like you see on the pic the pilot light is on! The bulb has been exchanged and works! This light has no starter I could exchange, at least not the usual kind! Electricity is on! Still the light is not on! What can I do to fix this? This UK based light is quite a problem because I have several lights with the same problem!
- ANSWER:
  You have a 2D emergency light fitting with combined starter/ballast/emergency change-over unit. As the charging led is on, in your link, then you would have both main and emergency supplies, even if all in one. If you have changed the 2D lamp with a known good lamp, then your emergency unit is defective, probably ran down the batteries, therefore won't light on main or battery power. To replace this emergency unit would probably cost as much as a new fitting complete. I know from experience that these fittings are anything but cheap, probably about £200+, but the emergency unit may cost you £100+. CG28 would indicate to me that it is a 28 watt lamp. If you really require an emergency light go for led, self dimming with pir detector about £230. Try ASD lighting Rotherham who use Phillips technology, not chinese. I've actually fitted one and it's great, but can't off hand remember the model No.
QUESTION:
Noisy office lights - what can I do? My office has two fluorescent light fittings which buzz very loudly. Occasionally they make so much noise they have to be turned off. Management don't appreciate the lights being off as it makes the building look unoccupied. Repeated requests to fix this problem are being ignored. The only answer I get now is "well I asked so-and-so to do it". So-and-so acknowledges the problem, but hasn't done anything about it. The noise is very difficult to work with. The problem is that they don't buzz as loudly all the time - I think the lights know when a manager walks in and shut up! Any suggestions as to what I can do with regard to making a formal complaint? Web searches have thus far turned up no answers I would be very grateful for any suggestions that don't involve hitting the damn things with a stick!
- ANSWER:
  i feel sympathy for you - it's like suffering from bad toothache, which stops the minute you enter the dentist's office. if i walked in your shoes, i would have a serious word with so-and-so, before filing a formal complaint. make that person realize that the formal complaint will be your next step. in friendly words, please, do not threaten. another idea - is there a possiblitiy to engage so-an-so in your office with some sort of problem or question, which will keep him in your office for a longer amount of time?
QUESTION:
HELP!!!!!!!!I was trying to connect wires of a fluorescent light to a connector and something blew up? And now theres no electricity!!! what did I do?:S:S how can i fix it!!!
- ANSWER:
  Based on your sparse info: 1) Disconnect the light and any other "connections" you made. 2) Reset the line's circuit breaker or replace the fuse, whichever is applicable..
QUESTION:
I need some help with my Fluorescent light fixture.? I have a Fluorescent light fixture that is in a cage that I fixed up for my tegu. The fixture was for a 33" tube. In order to make it useful for me I modified it so that it is 36" long so it could fix the standard size bulb. Then I found out that the starter used for the original tube wouldn't work because it was a F-2 and for a 36" tube I need a F-4. But when I got the F-4 no light come on at all. (with the f-2 and the tube in the light just flickers but doesn't come on) Is this because the ballast is of a different size or something, and if so can I just change that? Any help would be appreciated I really want to get this light working tegus need the uvb light. Thanks
- ANSWER:
  The answer is probably the lamp type, T8 instant start lamps are not compatible with preheat starters/ballasts. Using Sylvania numbers a F30T8/CW and a FO25T8/741 are going to look the same, same number of pins, same length, but the cathode at the end of the lamp is different, you need the F30T8 for preheat fixture (lamps labeled preheat or rapid start), but good luck, these are 1950's technology. Changing to T12 rapid start will increase the lamp wattage beyond the ballast capability.
QUESTION:
Is there a way to overcome being extremely light sensitive? My optometrist said that I am the most light sensitive patient she has seen in all her twenty-two years of experience. No optometrist has been able to finish the flashlight test for a few years now. I starting going to public school almost three years ago and fluorescent lighting seems to really bother my eyes, but it's like everywhere! Even Walmart and church! I just want to know if there is a natural way or an easy way to fix that without tinted glasses.
- ANSWER:
  The treatment for light sensitivity depends on the cause. Usually, if the light sensitivity is a symptom of an underlying eye problem such as cataract, then treatment for the cataract can solve the glare problem. Treating eye diseases, like uveitis, often means that the eye becomes less light sensitive. Unfortunately not all light sensitivity caused by eye problems can be treated. For example the light sensitivity caused by macular degeneration. If this is the case then other methods may be needed to help people cope with bright light. Other methods are there for coping with light sensitivity The most obvious way to cope with glare is to limit the amount of light that is entering the eye. Some people find shading their eyes with their hand or wearing a hat with a wide brim can help cut down on glare with little expense. Tinted lenses help to minimise the light entering the eye and so cut down on the amount of glare someone experiences. Sunglasses should have an UV filter so they also protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun. The best lens will have protection against UVA and UVB light. Some people prefer to have light activated sunglasses, which get darker in brighter conditions, though this is a personal choice. Polarized lenses can cut down on reflected glare from flat surfaces, for example, light reflected off water or off the bonnet of a car. There are sunglasses, sometimes called solar or UV shields or wrap-around shades, which are larger than normal. They have built in sides which stop the light entering that way and they are also made to stop the light entering from above the eyes. They can also be worn over regular spectacles and come in a variety of tints. These can be very helpful but the fit of them is important. Everyone has a different shaped head and several pairs of wrap-around sunglasses should be tried to find the ones which fit closest and stop the most light from coming in around the edge of the frame. If you visit a low vision specialist they may be able to give you advice on coping with glare. They can talk to you about the best way to use lighting to avoid glare. This is especially important since it can be difficult to balance the amount of light someone with a sight problem needs for tasks such as reading and the fact that they may have a problem with glare. Some eye conditions can cause people to have great difficulty when moving between areas with different lighting levels. For example, when moving from sunlight into a dim room, or vice versa. It may be necessary to pause to put sunglasses on or to take them off and give the eyes time to adjust, and it is very important that the person does not feel rushed. Often, these changes in light levels occur at the entrance of buildings, this is particularly dangerous as there are often steps in these places. Many people with a sight problem need to use a task light for activities such as reading. The best lights for this type of task are adjustable lamps. The best position for an adjustable lamp, when you need more light for a task such as reading, is between you and what you want to look at, directed at the task, and below your eye level.
QUESTION:
can lighting and camera settings affect skintone? i forgot to ask how to fix this problem, if the lighting and camera settings are the one messing it around. (i take most of photos indoors under fluorescent light..?) i'm trying to photograph people and sometimes they turn out redder or darker than they actually are.
- ANSWER:
  Yes they can. Different type of lights have different colour temperatures. Some will be cool some warm etc. for instance normal tungsten bulbs will give an orange cast. Fluorescent will give a green cast when using daylight film. If you are shooting digital then that can be corrected by using the correct white balance settings. here are a couple of sites which explain it http://www.mediacollege.com/lighting/colour/colour-temperature.html http://www.aeimages.com/learn/color-correction.html
QUESTION:
I need a foundation that looks decent in fluorescent lighting? my school has fluorescent lighting, and you can see foundation gathered up in the pores and everything.. ive tried wearing almost none, mixing it with a little moisturizer to thin it out, and nothing worked to fix it.. as of now, i use maybelline mineral power in "light ivory" i have really white skin, and it was the lightest color i could find. i just want a foundation that works well on people with REALLY white skin and freckles, and is a reasonable price.. preferably, from walmart, target, or walgreens.
- ANSWER:
  Revlon PhotoReady foundation. Revlon's PhotoReady collection is meant to make your skin look good under ANY lighting, and the color of the foundation is made so that it erases the look of all flaws. You can get it at any drugstore for -. They come in powder or original (they just call it makeup so I don't know what it's called. I think it's a liquid). The lightest colors they come in are Ivory and Vanilla. Get Ivory if you have cool undertones, and Vanilla if you have warm undertones. I've had Revlon's ColorStay powder foundation before, and the colors are lighter than they look. So just in case, you may want to get Shell (just one shade darker than Ivory). Here's the link: http://www.revlon.com/Revlon-Home/Products/Face/Foundation/NEW-Revlon-PhotoReady-Makeup.aspx Hope I helped! Ciao! ♥, MiMi XOXO
QUESTION:
Why does my fluorescent light stop working after an hour or so? I bought two 4 foot shop light, lights of america model 8055 SS, and four T12 florecent lights to go with it. The lights worked for a few weeks, but then we couldn't get the lights to turn on. I thought that maybe it was the bulbs so i bought new ones. The lights would turn on, but then they would quit after a time. Now they don't even turn on when we pull the chain. I emailed the company customer service, but surprise, they have yet to respond. The lights were kept on for roughly 12 hours, at a temperature of about 65-70. Money is tight right now so i reeaaallly dont want to go out and buy a new system. If there is any way to fix it myself, i would love to know. Thanks so much for the help!
- ANSWER:
  First make sure its turned off. Better yet turn the circuit breaker or pull the fuse for that circuit. Then carefully look at the plastic ends where the prongs for the lights slip into. Make sure they are seated in the fixture tight. Check to make sure they are not cracked. Also check the brass parts in the ends to see if they are making good contact. Not sure if this model uses a starter or just the ballast. A starter usually looks like a silver enclosed tube with two little prongs on it. Make sure this is seated in its place tightly too. Usually a little twist will release it. Finally check to make sure all the wires are all connected tight at any wire nuts and at the ends where the bulbs insertand where the house wiring connects. Finally make sure you are using the correct light for the fixture. If it came with bulbs always match the type of bulb with the replacement. There should also be a sticker on it someplace telling you what type to use and max wattage. If by any chance the ballast (big black box inside the fixture) went bad for some reason. Its just as cheap to buy a whole new light as to buy a new ballast. But if this is a brand new light it shouldn't be a bad ballast. If you still have the receipt take it back to where you bought it and get a replacement.
QUESTION:
new fluorescent fixture seen to reduce brightness of light for long periods? Ok ...I installed a new 4 ft Simkar fluorescent ceiling that uses 3 8 4 ft bulbs.I have bought a good brand which is skybright daylight output lumens/light color.The effect is very whitish and crisp but there is a slight problem.It seem to dim at certain long periods of time during just after sunset or at night.I know it is not my vision because these are not heap.It is bright and makes what is white look clean white in the daytime and when evening starts to dawn in around 5 or 6'ish it seem to slightly dull off some and I am wondering where all the brightness went? The old fixture used 2 40 watt fluorescent.I need to mention that I think the wire coming from the ceiling was short in reaching one side of lighting hook-up wire and I think it could be touching the top frame plus I had very little electrical tape..I was going to fix this been about 2 months. Could the hot and neutral be crossed or is it wiring touching frame or fixture itself? please help paid 0 thanx It uses 3 T8 bulbs.Other people have commented it look a little dim.when I remove the cover full brightness,funny... thanx
- ANSWER:
  Relax, nothing is crossed. If your wires were crossed the breaker would have tripped as soon as you flipped the switch. Actually it sounds like an optical illusion, Flourescent bulbs put out their rated lumens, that's it. They do'nt sense light & change their brightness, it's an illusion, flourescent bulbs are known to play tricks on the eyes. Hope this helped, good luck!!
QUESTION:
Can a person fix a "throw-away" (non-ballast/dual transformer) fluorescent light fixture? My 48" garage fixture doesn't work on side. It does not have a ballast/silver little canisters. It is run off of 2 small transformers with a little breadboard containing a ceramic capacitor and some resistors. When I took the thing apart, I wasn't sure if the transformer on one side ran bulb 1 or bulb 2. Or if one transformer was in charge of both bulb sockets on either end. To me the wiring looks as if I would not be able to take 2 "one-bulb working" fixtures and make a "2 bulber" without having to throw both the onesies away and spending $ for a new one. Ive done the bulb swaps and even took out my multimeter to check voltage on each of the four contact pairs. I found that only one of the four had about 22-24v while the other 3 had something around 1-2v. Funny thing is one would think to expect both the contact ends for a single bulb to be reading the ~22v...and yet the bulb lights up. This is what is puzzling me and made me question the wiring of the fixture. As for the fixing of said fixture(s), I found 3 others in my garage which were the predecessors to the current one. They all have the same problem, making me think that I can frankenstein all four into 2 working fixtures. I will next test out the capacitors since the "trannys" don't seem burnt out. BTW the caps look like a totinos pizza roll. I would assume resistors are not faulty or burnt out.
- ANSWER:
  have you tried new lamps or swapping over the lamps to see if the fault is in the ballast, i think you call that the transformer, sometimes the capacitor goes faulty and one side stops working, all fluros have ballasts to boost the voltage and a starter that gives it he initial stricking current, except for the newer electronic fluro fittings that dont need a starter and strike instantly. if your fitting has two"transformers" it has one for each tube,so if its really old and has two large "transformers"in it one of them is probably had it causing one side not to work. if you have a spare transformer that still works in the other fitting you should be able to take the working one out and replace it for the faulty one ,. sounds like a lot of hassle you should treat yourself to a new fitting that will last for years and be done with it.

fixing fluorescent lights

Benefits Of Fluorescent Lighting

2012-10-11T13:23:00.000+08:00

benefits of fluorescent lighting

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
Which is better for goldfish aquarium lighting: fluorescent or incandescent? I have 2 different kinds of lights and while I prefer the softer incandescent, I was wondering if there was any benefit from switching to the brighter fluorescent?
- ANSWER:
  i would go with compcact flouresant or regualur flouresent lighting. 1. save money on elcectricity 2. brings out the clearity of the water and fish colors 3. if you have real plants it will be good for them 4. do not add much heat. you might also want to try to combine different colors depending on the effect you want. flourents are cheap and cost effective.
QUESTION:
fluorescent light bulb!!!!? I would like to find the answers of the following questions: - Is there any states enforced a law or bill about the fluorescent light bulb? - How much dollars could we saved on the fluorescent light bulb (compare with the regular light bulb)? - What are the enviromental benefit of the fluorescent light bulb? Thank you very much!!! I need the primary resources....so please give me some sort of resources(like website) of where did you get it...thank you!!!
- ANSWER:
  westignhouse.com They make neato mercury florescents that save 75% of energy over the same watt incandescent bulb. Enviroment.,I dunno, 85% of power plants use Coal, so if 75% of that in lighting was reduced, would be a good thing.
QUESTION:
Internet resources for replacing a fluorescent light with an incandescent light? We have a very ugly fluorescent light in our kitchen and we would like to replace it with an incandescent light. However, when I've been searching online for how-to information, it's very hard to come by. Most information is just about the benefits of having a fluorescent light over incandescent, which brings me to my first portion of the question: even if I put in an incandescent light, couldn't I still put in the compact fluorescent bulbs and save on the energy consumption/cost? Secondly, I need to find a good resource that can explain the process for doing the switch. A video would be ideal, but anything with good step by step instructions and accompanying photos would work. Thanks!
- ANSWER:
  I think all you have to do is change the fixture, which is relatively easy as home projects go. With older fixtures(which is what I suspect you have) there won't be any incandescent bulbs to fit that. Thats why the whole fixture has to go. Just make sure the electricity is off to the room you are working in. Look for information on changing the fixture and you will find what you are looking for. http://www.ehow.com/how_2296169_change-light-fixtures.html http://www.squidoo.com/lightfixture I included a couple of links but there are many. A good investment is a how to fix thing around the house book. Many of these are at the library for free or at book stores to buy.
QUESTION:
What are the main differences between a GU24 and a regular twist fluorescent light bulb? Besides the steep price of a GU24 compares to the other bulbs out there currently. ~ per GU24 is just too much. So what are the benefits of using a GU24 overall, if any? Thanks, all.
- ANSWER:
  A regular twist will fit most any standard socket. The GU24 is energy Star rated. The difference is the base of the bulb. It was two prongs on the in that push into its base and then slightly twist. The benefits? Well if you have a new energy star rated fixture( chandelier, Wall sconce, Bath Bar, some newer table and floor lamps), it will probably only take a GU24. The come in different color temps like most all other flourescents. This is the direction that the lighting industry is headed and you will start noticing more and more products with a GU24 based lamp requirement. Don't worry, I'm sure Wal-Mart and other cheap marts will have cheap ones for you soon.
QUESTION:
Is yellow fluorescent light bulbs as good as white ones for reading/ working indoors? Is there any benefits to either of them? I'm talking about Ott-lite lamps.
- ANSWER:
  As far as I can find, the ott lights are supposed to be brighter, and show color more naturally. See the link below.
QUESTION:
which lighting is best, im confused? i have ordinary fluorescent double strip lighting in my 200 litre tank i was in lfs and seen all the lighting available and woooah its mind boggling so which do you use and why what are the benefits of different lighting uv lighting does it cost more to run etc............ so i guess im after pros and cons of uv lighting ant others i dont know the names of thanx for all answers x x x x its a freshwater community planted tank although my plants are doing great with flourescent
- ANSWER:
  First, UV lighting is entirely useless for a fish tank. Useless. UV sterilizers are an entirely different matter, as they use UV light for sterilization, not illumination. In fact, UV light is entirely invisible and will do very little to light your tank. So, that leaves visible light, like that from compact fluorescents (CFL), T-5, metal halide, standard fluorescent tubes (what you have), and LEDs. Unless your tank has live plants or corals, or anything else photosynthetic, you don't really need to worry-- whatever looks best to you is fine with your fish. If you've got live plants, CFL or T-5 would be nice, though you can usually get away with standard tubes; metal halides are usually overkill unless your tank is upwards of a thousand liters. For corals, some can get by with minimal lighting from standard tubes, but most should be kept under CFL, T-5, or metal halide, depending on the more specific type. LEDs are rather new and not terribly great choices at this point, due to their cost and lack of refinement as of yet. EDIT: Again, plants do NOT use UV light to grow-- in fact, it is just as harmful to them as it is to us; remember, UV light causes sunburn, not to mention mutations that lead to skin cancer. The only expressed sentiment I agree with is that there's no sense playing with it if it seems to be working okay. EDIT 2: I've never heard of reefs with blacklights... maybe actinics, but not blacklights. Regardless, plants can use neither, and as already established, UV is harmful.
QUESTION:
What size aquarium light should I get for my planted tank? I read that a good rule of thumb is watts for every gallon? I have a 29gallon aquarium, so 29-58 watts of light? I find that a huge difference. I also find it especially difficult to find a light with this wattage to be the correct size for my tank. It seems the higher the wattage, the longer the light. But if I go any smaller in size, the wattage is reduced. I also read that 2 fluorescent lights may be used, but my hood will only house one light. My plants require low-medium light, and low-medium growth rate, ph of 6.0-8.0, so they're generally easy plants to look after. I am experienced keeping Angels, but I can't seem to keep a plant alive! I am trying! There are HUGE benefits with plants and my Angels are happier. Every article I read about lighting for plants contradicts another article I read. One article says that the K rating means nothing, and another article's author swears by using 5000-10000K lights. WHAT do I get? Help! I mean 1-2 watts for every gallon!
- ANSWER:
  I've grown plants for years and currently own a 29 gallon low tech planted tank with plants considered hard like cambomba growing well. Pretty much lighting wise, the K spectrum does not matter. I've grown plants under cool white bulbs (though these make the fish look bleached out so I don't reccommend it) to more specialize "planted tank bulbs". The plants don't care. My substrate is plain old gravel and I use the Estimative Index for fertilization. I've done everything from pressurized CO2 to natural lighting only but currently prefer the the non CO2 low light method since it involves a lot less pruning. My current tank (29 gallon) has 3 24" fluorescent bulbs and is densely planted (over 75% of the substrate is planted). It has an assortment of Valisneria giganthea Ludwigia repens Cambomba carolina Red Cambomba (forgot the scientific name) Elodea Anternatheria Crypt Wentii I do a 50% water change every 2 weeks followed by a dose of 1/4 teaspoon of Potassium Phosphate (Yes I am adding phosphates to the tank) 1/4 teaspoon of Potassium Nitrate 1 Teaspoon of Potassium Sulfate 1 tablespoon of Magnesium Sulfate (My water has almost no magnesium so this might not be necessary for you) I also dose 5 mL of Seachem Flourish the following day. My tank has virtually no algae and the plants are doing excellent. Go to www.barrreport.com for some more information.
QUESTION:
What benifit would the global scientific community gain from "lying" about climate change? ? The diminishing community of climate change deniers still cling to the idea that science is biased or some how politically motivated. I would like to hear from them what benefit they think is motivating the propagation of untruths? A vast, left-wing conspiracy? Who benefits from that? GE who makes compact Fluorescent light bulbs? Toyota, who makes more fuel efficient vehicles? Just curious to the thought process.
- ANSWER:
  Face it - Money is the motivation. Just look at Dr. Jim Hansen. He sold his political endorsement to John Kerry in 2004 for a cool 0,000.00! Do you think his reward would be the same if he wrote a paper saying the Sun causes climate change? Plus you are right. Corporate welfare thrives from "global warming". Politicians receive millions from corporations to write bills that demand the public buy new and expensive products. Money is the motivation behind "global warming". Those who say that it's natural, not caused by man have pure motives, as they don't receive any money by their position.
QUESTION:
Fluorescent Light Correction Filter? I an looking art a set of 3 filters on Ebay, and I am aware of the benefits of the UV and Polarizer filters, but it also comes with the filter mentioned above. I can't see me using this one as I do not expect to shoot indoors too often( but who knows the future), so I am wondering if I can use it in other situations? Thanks folks, you are really helpful!
- ANSWER:
  I suggest not buying the set of 3 filters you are looking at on eBay. Notice how cheap they are? Plus, including a Fluorescent filter is a waste since digital cameras have something called White Balance and you use it under fluorescent light. Lets look at some prices for real quality filters such as Heliopan, B+W, Hoya and Tiffen. Since 55mm is a common filter size we'll price a Circular Polarizer at B&H. Heliopan: .99 to 5.99 Hoya: .85 to 74.85 B+W: .00 to .50 Tiffen: .95 to 4.95 The quality of the materials used in the filter and additional coatings to reduce flare are why there is such a price difference. However, even the lowest-priced name brand filters will be far superior to the ones in the 3 pack you saw on eBay. I still use a Tiffen polarizer I bought in 1972. Always remember: "Good filters are not cheap and cheap filters are not good." B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com
QUESTION:
Read this? Public school better than homeschool ? 10 reasons why public school is better than homeschool. -- 1. Most parents were educated in the under funded-public school system, and so are not smart enough to homeschool their own children. 2. Children who receive one-on-one homeschooling will learn more than others, giving them an unfair advantage in the marketplace. This is undemocratic. 3. How can children learn to defend themselves unless they have to fight off bullies on a daily basis? 4. Ridicule from other children is important to the socialization process. 5. Children in public schools can get more practice “Just Saying No” to drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. 6. Fluorescent lighting may have significant health benefits. 7. Publicly asking permission to go to the bathroom teaches young people their place in society. 8. The fashion industry depends upon the peer pressure that only public schools can generate. 9. Public schools foster cultural literacy, passing on important traditions like the singing of “Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg…” 10. Homeschooled children may not learn important office career skills, like how to sit still for six hours straight. Your thoughts?
- ANSWER:
  For those of you who thought this was a post bashing home school students, you need to go look up the word "satire," seriously... I was home schooled from the seventh grade until I went to college. I would say for me it was better. I felt the pressure of other kids and their judgment in public school and the teachers did nothing to stop it. As a result of my home schooling I make friends with everyone no matter what "click" they are part of, and treat everyone with respect until they basically spit on me. I have my own desire to study hard in college because I can now appreciate the benefit of having a teacher to question when I need help. I realize that some kids need public school so they can have friends and all that, but it was better for me personally that I home schooled, and I never needed school to make friends. I made more friends more easily after I left the public school system, and I think home school made it easier for me to look inside a person for friendship unlike the superficial morons, fresh out of high school, that I get setting behind me in at least one class every semester, disrupting the class by whispering insults about the adults sitting in front of them and making fun of those who actually had to work to get into college and are there for an education. P.S. I'm going to college to be and English teacher now.
QUESTION:
Are you GREEN - or are you going to boycott those screwy little bulbs? David Henderson - Let There Be (Incandescent) Light By David Henderson Friday, October 2, 2009 What would Thomas Edison say? Last month, stores in Europe stopped acquiring new stocks of Edison's brilliant invention. In truth, the traditional incandescent light bulb is terribly inefficient: Only about 10 percent of its energy output is in the form of visible light; the rest is emitted as heat. Switching everyone to alternatives such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) will result in fairly significant reductions in energy consumption, which will help Europe meet its targets for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. A similar ban, written into energy legislation a few years ago, is to take effect in the United States in 2012. Though it has distinct improvements over the European legislation, this ban is still a bad idea. While the European Union outlawed a particular technology, Congress set minimum efficiency requirements for lighting. Old-fashioned (regular) incandescent bulbs do not meet this standard, but by 2012 there may very well be some improved incandescents on the market that will. That this change is manifest in our daily lives makes it a meaningful and encouraging option, but it should be just that: a voluntary option. Light bulbs are a poor choice for regulation. Is there an overriding reason to regulate how Americans light their homes? It's true that compact fluorescent lights are widely appreciated among those with heightened "green" sensibilities. They are a welcome option for those who are trying to reduce their environmental impact. Replacing bulbs may be a small measure, but it is also something that can be done by people who may feel powerless or frustrated before the larger problems besetting our planet. But many people also have a decided dislike of CFLs and will greatly resent the ban. While they may last longer than incandescent bulbs, the upfront cost is high; the light produced is not as bright as that of incandescent bulbs; they are slow to achieve full brightness; the bulbs don't fit in many old lamps; they can't be dimmed; and their lifespan is greatly shortened by using them for less than 15 minutes at a time. The manufacturers of compact fluorescent lights have made improvements on some of these issues, but their reputation is not yet vindicated. The environmental benefits of using only compact fluorescent bulbs are indirect -- and less than what could be realized by changing standards governing, for example, coal use. Consider: The benefit of "reducing inefficiency" depends on where the energy is coming from. Improving efficiency without eliminating a harmful source may just free energy that is then used elsewhere. If there is no net reduction in energy use, where is the benefit? Direct regulation of harmful activities, such as putting firm limits on carbon emissions, is more likely to achieve the desired environmental result. (And this would only indirectly influence my bedroom decor.) A great deal of the wasted energy in lighting comes from excessive nighttime lighting in public spaces, which is an excellent issue for government to address. Banning traditional light bulbs as used in private homes seems an effort in the name of environmental protection that has very little payoff. There is more political will behind environmental reform than is generally appreciated, but it is not unlimited. We should invest our political capital where it will be most effective, not burn it in compact fluorescents. Congress should regulate matters that require the force of law, such as banning mountaintop removal in coal mining and new coal-burning power plants. Leave people to change their own light bulbs. The writer teaches environmental ethics in the philosophy and religion department at Western Carolina University. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/01/AR2009100104254.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter
- ANSWER:
  those screwy little bulbs sometimes only last a week in this house. we have yet to get 6 months out of one, and they are very temperamental. if struck by sudden cold from an opened door, they will crack into very tiny pieces. in our rural area they are very costly 1 @ .99 where as a regular bulb is 3 for a .00. the light is nice and white, very slow to illuminate, but the cost does not yet offset. even if left on continuously we have yet to see the green savings. the Mercury is a whole other concern. especially with autism. so until the technology is improved we are against them. we can punch wholes in our atmosphere but we can't yet light the dark effectively.
QUESTION:
Help! Exam review question, I can't seem to figure this one out...? A local utility company, PEPCO, charges for electricity by the kilowatt hour (kWh). They currently charge approximately 10 cents per kWh. a. In your bathroom are 5 light bulbs that typically run for 2 hours a day. You recently swapped out 60 watt incandescent bulbs for 5 watt fluorescent blubs. How much money are you now saving per month by making this change? b. LED light bulbs are now coming onto the market. LEDs have a number of benefits compared to fluorescent bulbs: they use less energy, they don’t contain mercury, they don’t flicker or buzz, they turn on instantly at full brightness, they produce less heat, and they last longer. However, LED light bulbs produce more directional light (so they are less effective as ambient light sources), a slightly bluish color of light, and they are also much more expensive than fluorescent bulbs. You can buy a 10 watt LED bulb to replace a typical 75 watt incandescent bulb for about . Such a bulb could run continuously for ~40,000 hrs before “burning out.” A 20 watt fluorescent bulb with similar brightness might cost .50 and could run continuously for ~10,000 hrs. Compare the total cost of running each light bulb for 10 hours a day for a year – include both the yearly cost of the bulb and the cost of the energy consumed in that year. Note that you don’t have to buy a new bulb each year, so the yearly cost is less than the purchase cost. c. Based on ‘part b’ would you recommend a friend buy LED light bulbs or fluorescent light bulbs? There is no “right” or “wrong” answer, but you must defend your recommendation.
- ANSWER:
  Hi LED Light technology is going to revolutionize lighting technology.LED Light are definitely worth it and a lot brighter.i just suggest you go for the Led Lights
QUESTION:
Economics. Which is the correct answer? A study found that the incidence of skin cancer increases along with the amount of time people work under fluorescent light, leading some people to conclude that fluorescent lighting is a cause of skin cancer. But further analysis found that people who work in offices, where fluorescent light is common, suffer more sunburn on their vacations than other workers. The sunburns, not the fluorescent light, were the cause of the higher incidence of skin cancer. The original conclusion illustrates: a) the fallacy of composition. b) confusion of correlation and causation. c) identifying marginal costs and marginal benefits. d) biases and loaded terminology.
- ANSWER:
  B) Confusion of Correlation and Causation ~ ~ ~
QUESTION:
What makes LEDs safer?（OKLEDLISHTS COM）? OKLEDLIGHTS COM Said that Since they are based on solid state electronics the risk of snapping a filament or cracking a glass due to vibrations are miniscule. A large portion of the electricity is converted to light – this means lower heat production, cool operation, low risk of accidental fires or scalding. A less appreciated benefit stemming from cutting edge LED based lighting devices is that they do not contain mercury. Mercury was a major drawback for energy efficient lighting until LEDs came into the picture. You either had 5 milligrams of mercury from coal burning power plants or 5 milligrams of mercury from a fluorescent light – the choice between the fire and the frying pan was hardly appealing. Safe disposal facilities for mercury sequestering and recycling are the only solution to this toxic element from fluorescent lights. But reverse logistics and operation of safe recycling facilities add to the carbon footprint of fluorescent lights. Added to this is the fact that not all these lights will be safely disposed and a neuro-toxicant will continue to accumulate unabated in land and water. Why not substitute that fluorescent light with an LED tube? With LEDs, disposal date itself is a decade from now! And there isn’t any mercury to contend with.
- ANSWER:
  ok im jus gonna answer the question at the top lol..... leds last lik 10 times longer then a filament bulb
QUESTION:
When is the right time to go on temp disabilty? How does one approach their employer with...? ...that? My dry eye symptoms have worsened lately to the point where I can't work in the office with the fluorescent lighting and AC blowing on my eyes. Also the extensive computer work is causing excessive strain. I am seeing eye dr's and tried all the eye drops & gels and now am being advised to get my tear ducts plugged up. I have Graves disease which is the main cause. I also have blepharitis. I can't even drive in the sunlight at this point without tearing burning and blurring to the point of not being able to see the road. Evening driving is ok. My question is whether I should go on temp disability now or not. I will get full pay benefits up to 26 weeks if need be. Will this hurt my job security and my career? I feel this would be best for me to get away from the computer (10-15 hours a day) and give my eyes a break while a seek out and resolve what I need for my eyes to get healed.
- ANSWER:
  Going on state disability will not hurt your job security. By law your employer has to take you back. However they don't have to give you your same location back to you. Your health is more important then your job my friend. I put off going on disability for 3 years and now I have permanent damage to my legs. My advice to you , is take the time you need to be off and take care of your health problems before it gets to serious and you can't work anymore at all. You can always get another job my friend ' it might not be the same job but you will get back on your feet if you want to bad enough.
QUESTION:
After solving a problem, new problems are often created. A classic example was the use of DDT to control malar? After solving a problem, new problems are often created. A classic example was the use of DDT to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Malaria cases declined, but the consequences on the environment, to osprey eggs in particular, lasted for decades. In public health, we constantly weigh the risks and benefits of our decisions. The following scenarios are contemporary decisions with the potential to impact the health of human populations and/or environment. Choose one of the situations and formulate a risk/benefit analysis for the decision. You may want to consult sources beyond your textbook. Scenario1: With the escalating costs of energy, the demand for petroleum, and fears concerning greenhouse gases, efforts have been undertaken to provide more energy efficient devices. The most basic of these is the incandescent light bulb. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are now readily available. Australia became the first nation to ban incandescent bulbs beginning in 2010. The US will gradually phase out of the bulbs in favor of CFLs between 2012 and 2014. Discuss the controversy surrounding this transition in formulating your risk/benefit analysis. Scenario 2: Pest management can be challenging. Society has long sought alternatives to chemical pesticides with potential human/environmental toxicity. A recent trend, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), seeks the least toxic means to combat a given pest including pheromones, predacious species and other methods. Weigh the risks associated with each methodology to formulate your risk/benefit analysis and determine which of these are the most viable.
- ANSWER:
  The Law of Unintended Consequences. The problem is you can't do a cost benefit analysis with concequences that you didn't know were coming. It simply wasn't known that DDT would have that kind of impact on the environment. I'll give you another great example. CFCs were a huge benefit to mankind in refrigeration. They provided vastly more efficient ways to keep food and medicin viable with modern refrigeration. When investigation of the ozone hole started scientists were SHOCKED to find that molecules that heavy were able to make it that high into the atmosphere and interact with the ozone layer.
QUESTION:
Can someone on disability open a business? I have a chronic condition that causes a myriad of problems. I try to work, but I cant really sit all day, or in front of a computer because of the migraines (which is amplified in an office full of noise and fluorescent lights) not to mention the constant stress and fact that my job is a soul sucking pit of despair (which doesnt help the vitamin deficiency induced depression) I like working customer service, but around here the jobs simply do not pay enough. A manager here gets paid less than 30k to manage an entire hotel (gm gets more I think) but I live in a place with only 20 hotels total, so once someone gets a job they don't leave it. So I was thinking of discussing disability benefits with my doctor since I end up missing a lot of work (like a 4 days every month at the minimum, other times I can barely manage 2 shifts per week) and it really hurts my income since I dont get paid if I am not at work (no sick leave or pro) But I wondered if I did go on disability if I could eventually open my own business. I have been attending classes and almost have my degree and would like to open a small b&b with the help of some friends who would staff it. I am just worried they will be like "if you cant work then you cant work" but really its that I cant work here. In a corporate disgusting stressful fluorescent lamp filled suck hole.
- ANSWER:
  Even when you are on disability you can go to school, and get yourself back in the workforce. Once you are working you lose the disability. That simple.
QUESTION:
Should I replace R20 incandescent recessed lights on dimmers with LED or compact fluorescent? I have recessed lighting in my kitchen and also in my basement bar/rec room. All are R20 bulbs and all are on dimmers. I want to keep the dimmers but am considering making a switch to either LED or compact fluorescent. I want to keep a "warm" light color in both. I feel like I'm changing a bulb once a week and am looking for something with longer life. I don't care that much about the energy efficiency benefits (although it would be nice) but I'm more interested in getting more bang for my buck in terms of the bulb itself (while still keeping that warm light). I know I need to look for "dimmable" CFL's and LED's. Which one(s) should I get and why?
- ANSWER:
  You'll have better luck finding dimmable LED lamps than you will CF. LEDs aren't more energy efficient than CFs, not yet. The potential is there but nobody's making an LED that delivers more light per watt than a CF. But they do run as cool as CFs and unlike the CFs aren't as difficult to make or find as a dimmable variety. You can get dimmable R20 LED lamps right now. Unscrew the ones you have, install the LEDs, job's done. LEDs have a huge advantage over CFs in that they run longer. A good CF will go up to 12,000hrs if you're lucky; a good LED is just settling in at the 12,000hr mark. If you don't run them at full brightness all the time, LEDs can go way longer than you ever thought possible in a residential light bulb. I have in front of me right now a Philips "AmbientLED" R20 bulb, 7w cool white (you can choose warm white); it's rated at 40,000hrs. This one isn't for dimmers but dimmable ones are out there. 40,000hrs is over four years. Turn it on now, it dies (maybe) sometime in 2016. Often that hour rating is to an arbitrary reduced output cutoff - when it's only delivering 50% of its original brightness, they call it "dead." Here's a comparable dimmable model at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/PHILIPS-EnduraLED-Dimmable-Light-Bulb/dp/B003NA118O Good luck with it.
QUESTION:
Some questions related to environmental health...? 1, Why Should Global Environmental Issues such as Population Growth, Thinning of the Ozone Layer, and Biodiversity of Species Matter to People? 2. List three things that the natural environment provides that benefit health status. 3. A result of a negative visual environment might be: a. better social health c. increased stress b. fewer distractions d. improved concentration 4. According to the World Bank Group, population is increasing by about how many people per day? a. 50,000 c. 200,000 b. 100,00 d. 20,00 5. As of the end of the year 2003, there were about how many people living on Earth? a. 3.1 billion c. 986 million b. 245 million d. 6.3 billion 6. If you are not going to use a fluorescent light bulb for _____, it pays to turn it off a. 30sec c. 30min b. 5min d. 1hr 7. The increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming is due primarily to a. an increase in tree planting in many areas of the world b. an increase in the Sun's radiation c. geothermal energy sources d. burning of fossil fuels for energy 8. One condition associated with poverty is a. homelessness c. education b. childlessness d. affordable housing THANKS
- ANSWER:
  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100612140038AAUfua4
QUESTION:
Have you ever noticed that 1st-world societies are established by, and in the best interest of, intellectuals? This is how the world is currently run: People who slave away miserably in classrooms and offices, sedentary and physically unhealthy...are busying themselves in those classrooms & offices to make the world function to benefit themselves. They use their intellectual, sitting-around, directive-giving powers to make the healthy, active people do all of their grunt work for them. If you don't graduate from a university and slave away in an office building, you can hardly afford to feed and shelter your family. What if the tables were turned? Imagine if all of the healthy, able-bodied people were running the world, and the sedentary people who like to sit still under fluorescent lights all day were at the mercy of the healthy people. Imagine if society was organized and functioned in the best interest of healthy, active, able-bodied people. Do you think people would be more motivated to be healthy so that they could keep up with the status quo? As things are now...people are sacrificing their health and well-being and true happiness in order to do all of the tedious things that are expected of them: expensive and useless college educations, agonizing careers. True, the most financially well-off people are self-made, and they "get ahead" in life. But why do they get to define what it means to "get ahead?" I think that healthy people should rule the world!!!
- ANSWER:
  most of the billionaire and millionaire are self made...work hard and get ahead in life
QUESTION:
Bearded dragon advice regarding lighting and supplements.? Hello, I currently use a 5.0 reptiglo for my baby beardie.Is that good? Or not? If not please specify which one is. How about Exo Terra 160 Watt Solar Glo Bulb? It's description is below: * Optimal levels of UVB, UVA, visual light and heat in one bulb * Self-ballasted mercury vapor bulb * Provides the benefits of natural sunlight * Helps prevent metabolic bone disease * Increased UVB penetration distance Or another bulb which is Fluker Sun Spot 160 Watt Mercury Vapor Bulb. OR Zoo Med Repti Sun 10.0 Fluorescent Bulb? What's better, Bulbs or flourecent tubes? Which one would you pick and why? As for the supplements... I heard of a supplement that has all in one, and is the best there is as it is especially made for beardies. It is T Rex Bearded Dragon Calcium Plus. What are your thoughts? Thank you.
- ANSWER:
  Exo sounds like a good product. I have always used the fluorescent lights and think they are good. As far as the mercury vapor...... IDK. Your best bet would be to contact a herpetological society that is near you and ask the experts there who have tried all of the bulbs you are considering. I know that with the fluorescent bulb, it can't be any further than 18" from the reptile and over time, they loose some of the UV efficiency. Like I said, I've used them for YEARS and think they are fine.
QUESTION:
What is the cost benefit of using LED's ? I am looking for some tables that compare LED Lm/W out put to other light sources. Anyone know where or have any links to tables that break down cost benefits of halogen or fluorescent to LED. For instance the cost of installing LED's are more expensive up front but compared to equal Lm/W output how long would it take to get back the investment in overall utility and maintenance savings.
- ANSWER:
  There some really good charts on Wikipedia as well as some engineering journals. I have seen comparison between LED's and fluorescent as well incandescent and halogen as well. Seems that with our current technology that LED's are about as efficient as fluorescent and they tend to last longer. The down side is they cost a lot more.
QUESTION:
Please help about the history? 1. Thomas Edison's contribution to the search for cheap and efficient indoor lighting was the a. incandescent bulb b. gaseous-discharge bulb c. fluorescent lamp d. arc light. 2.which of the following was true of wage earners during the late nineteenth century? a. they usually worked in occupations that were relatively safe. b. they generally benefited from the shortage of workers that kept wages high. c, they heard employers justify low wages under the guise of individual freedom. d. the only thing that saved them from destitution was the "iron law of wages." 3.for which of the following reasons was the early twentieth century a transitional point with regard to women's fashions? a. designers began to use less fabric and place more emphasis on comfort. b. the abandonment of the corset caused women to become less concerned with waist size. c. american women began to show their preference for more restrictive Victorian styles. d. high- boned collars became standard on almost all dresses 4.Advocates of Social Darwinism believed that a. wealth carried no responsibilities except to get more of it b. the government should use its power to tax to bring about a more equitable distribution of wealth. c. wealth is mark of well-deserved power and responsibility. d. the government should protect the weak in society by regulating industry. 5.George Westinghouse made it feasible to transmit electricity over long distances by using a. complex circuits and semiconductors. b. direct current and rectifiers. c. alternating current and transformers. d. conductors and insulators. 6.which of the following statements is most consistent with the beliefs of writers who criticized the trusts? a. trusts are unnatural because they were created by greed. b. trusts keep prices artificially low. c, trusts create disorder in the marketplace by increasing competition. d.. trusts disrupt the natural economic order by encouraging government regulation. 7. in practice the principle known as the "iron law of wages" meant that a. employers recognized the right of workers to bargain collectively. b.employers increased workers' wages as the cost of living increased. c. wages automatically increased a s profits increased. d. employers did not have to raise wages as long as there were people who would accept low pay. 8. the assumption of leadership position within the women's trade union league by agnes nestar, rose schneiderman, and mary anderson was an indication that control of the union had shifted to a. anarchists who advocated a violent war agianst the capitalist system. b. nonmilitant middle-class women. c. forceful working-class women. d. recently arrived immigrants 9.the development of the southern textile industry was aided by which of the following? a cheap immigrant labor b. the use of electric motors to power automatic looms c. an abundance of water to power the drive shafts for machines d. the use of profit sharing to encourage worker productivity 10. the main problem with pools was that a .the interstate commerce act made them illegal precisely when they were most important. b .they did not increase profits c. too often members used each other for violation of the agreement creating the pool d. there was no legal way to enforce the " gentlemen's agreement" that created the pool. 11. tariffs in the late nineteenth century a. almost destroyed the american manufacturing system b. were bitterly criticized by social darwinists c. kept prices for many products at artificially high levels d. did little to aid american businessmen.
- ANSWER:
  Try homework help if you are stuck or ask an actual question. We won't do your homework for you.
QUESTION:
Hey,native english speakers, I need some advise from yours.? one of my friend's company is going to make an advertisement in english,So i have translated all chinese into english for her . Could you do me a favor,As you know,i am not a native english speaker,so please kindly let me know if i made some mistakes on grammar or somewhere.or you can write to me in a different way but with the same idea. Any good suggestions are greatly appreaciated. Thanks a lot. Pls see the following as i translated for her. 20 years ago, an enterprise with condensed dream and hope, began her bright journey in Shunde,Foshan, which is full of energy; Over the past 20 years, she ceaselessly strived, pursued excellence and was creating agreeable and comfortable life for numerous people through high-quality lighting products; 20 years later, she has become an large enterprise, specialized in developping, producing and managing of architecture electric appliance fittings and lighting products, with the production base of a total area of more than 40, 000 m2 and a professional team of over 2,000 people and an annual growth rate of more than 45% for nearly 3 years; The former unknown XXX company, has become famous in lighting industry of China now. During the process of development of over 20 years,XXX Company had adhered to continual revolution and management innovation and made efforts to push forward construction of enterprise system and carried out the responsibility mechanism of enterprise management and incentive mechanism of benefit; Moreover, the enterprise had always taken the talents construction as the core of increasing enterprise’s competitive strength and built up a professional team of high quality gradually through long-term and effective talents cultivation and introduction. Following the idea of “pursuit of excellent quality and creation of permanent brand”, XXX company spares no effort to improve production capacity: the Company had paid a lot of money to build the large production base and logistics center integrating design with research&development, manufacturing, assembly and marketing, introduced the industrial leading powder coating machines, automatic wire stretching machine,, automatic bridging machine, automatic powder coating production line, full automatic punch, plastic injection machine, light source optical spectrum analyser, photospheric analyzer and other advanced production and testing equipments, which promoted innovation in production technology continuously and took a leading position in the field of science and technology of lighting products research and development for the past many years XXX company has been insisted on the principle of customer-based and market-oriented as for product development and launched new products continually, and up to now, XXX has 9 types of products of switch, socket, energy-saving lamp, ceiling lamp, electronic ballast, electronic transformer, magnetic ballast, fluorescent fixture,office and commercial lights, with more than 2,000 varieties of products. While increasing the varieties of products, XXX strictly controls the product quality, which is the basis for enterprises to establish credibility, and it carries out strict quality control in each links from purchase of raw materials to product design, development as well as production. The Company has the import and export right and has obtained ISO9001：2000 quality management system certificate, China Compulsory Certification(CCC), UL, CUL, CE ,ROHS,United Nations Supplier and energy efficiency certificate. The Company was awarded the laurel of contract abiding & trustworthy enterprise, China credit brand for superior quality and reliable service, civilized enterprise,China quality credit enterprise and other honorable titles; Moreover, it acquired the product appearance design and letter of patent of utility-type. Products of XXX are popular at home and abroad with their excellent performance and good decoration effect and have become the first choice of various large building and engineering lighting system. During long-term practice, XXX company had always recognized and cultivated the market actively with advanced concepts and motions, carried out “planed market extension”, “service marketing” as well as “development strategy of regional market” and other market expansion idea and adhered to the strategy of brand construction and banged the market with such 3 advantageous brands as “XXX”, “XXX” and “XXX”; At present, the marketing network has covered 32 domestic Provinces and over 1,000 Counties and Cities and the enterprise is developing international market actively and the products were sold far to Europe, Canada, the United States, South America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East etc., and the enterprise will become one of the most competitive enterprises in switch and lighting products manufacturing. XXX Company bases itself upon today and cherishes the future and will move forward with everlasting first-class management, first gra
- ANSWER:
  too long ques
QUESTION:
!!!!!!!!!!!Planted 29 Gallon!!!!!!!!!!!!!? I'm starting a 29 gallon fish tank. I would like to use as many live plants as possible, for their look and for the benefit of the fish. I already have flourite substrate. After the plants I will be adding a school of zebra danios, maybe eventually dwarf gouramis or swordtails. My concern is the lighting. I have a hood for the aquarium that will take a 24" fluorescent bulb. Right now there is a 17 watt, 8000 k fluorescent bulb in it. Is this enough light for plants? Do I need more light? Where can i find higher watt fluorescent bulbs that will fit, if they exist? And another concern of mine is the expense of said bulbs. Also, how do i figure out how many lumens a bulb is giving off, cuz i know that a 17 watt fluorescent gives off a different amount than say a 17 watt incandescent.
- ANSWER:
  The only way you'll survive this is to use low light plants only.... Java's----Crypts-----Amazon swords--Anubis--Val's Buy an all purpose liquid fert like seachem flourish and use it very very sparingly. Add no CO2 and do 20% water changes weekly. Plants can photosynthesize between 5000k-10000k light. 6700k is perfect. You should be Okay. Hagen life glo2's and Zoo med ultrasuns are good cheap plant bulbs. The only way to increase the wattage is to replace the canopy. Keeping plants is big money if you don;t go low light, there great plants they just grow slower that's all. get a light timer aswell from the hardware store and set it for 8-9 hours a day. there 3 bucks, just make sure its 3 pronged if your canopy is. Don't worry about lumens unless your willing to spend about 150 bucks for a T5 or a T5HO ballast set up. just go low light, that's a deep tank, hard for light to penetrate so get plants that don;t need much to thrive. DOn't and you will hate the results. good luck and enjoy
QUESTION:
Poorly Cared for Uromastyx Maliensis? I've been searching the internet like mad for accurate information about uromastyx, and have had very little luck. No one seems to agree with anyone else - and I really need some correct and useful info. I'm currently taking care of my friend's boyfriend's Uromastyx maliensis, Spike, and have so far learned that he has been cared for incorrectly for most of his life. He's about 7 years old. This is the way he is kept: In a 40 gallon fish tank with two Western Fence Lizards (wild caught around here in northern California). He has a heat lamp that isn't nearly hot enough, no thermometer, and his light source is the heat lamp and a fluorescent bulb in a desk lamp. He is regularly fed superwoms and crickets, and a salad mix heavy on the spinach. He's not being supplemented in calcium, nor is he receiving any UVB. There were two hotrocks in the tank, which I have since turned off (now they're just odd decorations). His owner takes him out on walks. That said, we do live in California so temperature is not the issue, but I seriously doubt there are any benefits to doing so. I'm looking for any inexpensive ways that I can improve his quality of life, as his owner is broke and I have my own expenses. I feel terrible that he's been treated this way and wouldn't feel right continuing to do so. I have read all those care sheets - I was just looking for someone with personal, DIY, experience. Everyone says no hot rocks, btw, as the uromastyx don't have heat sensors on their underside and can be badly burned.
- ANSWER:
  hey :) I have one uromastyx maliensis, and I bought him when he wasn't in a great state, but he's all good now. He needs an 100w infrared bulb, I live in england so heat is probably more of a necessity for me, but they're only about £6 from amazon (not sure what that is in dollars :S ) This is what's in my mali uro's tank-thing... Sand - play sand is fine, they like lots of it. Two caves - anything round an hollow that they won't eat? Rock is good, just make sure that your lizard won't dig under them and get squashed. A branch - Just a dry branch for them to climb, scratch etc A flurescant light tube - has UVB,although sounds as if your bulb is giving him this. Thats about it food..... I wouldnt feed them superworms or crickets, mali uromastyxs arent meat eaters (If they qualify as meat) growing uros sometimes need a meal worm once a month, but otherwise they could do some serious damage to your lizard. I would stick to peas, alfalfa, and lots and lots of dandelions, also millet seed. All of this needs spraying with a little water, except the millet seed. I wouldnt feed them spinach if I were you. No hot rocks is good, the do serious damage! Hope I helped :)
QUESTION:
Does this light bulb help my plants? I bought this light bulb: http://www.amazon.com/Repti-Glo-Compact-Fluorescent-Tropical-Terrarium/dp/B00101JI2Y/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_1 ..for my reptiles, but I no longer need it for them, so now I use it at night when the sun goes down I give my indoor plants an extra few hours of light under this bulb.. is it too weak to give them any benefit? Am I wasting my time giving them supplemental light with this? It provides 200 UVB, it's luminous flux is 850 (whatever that means)
- ANSWER:
  It can't hurt your plants, certainly. If you have only a few plants it will provide them more benefit than if you have several plants. I say this because it is a small bulb. Since it is small if you have many plants not all will get the light.
QUESTION:
Advice for first chapter of story? Here it is..what do people think? (I know it's a lot...sorry) [insert sheepish grin] Today is rather… different. You see, there are several unique perks to being a national hero. Appearing as an idiot solely for the morbid amusement of our nation’s toddlers, woefully, does not fall within those additional benefits. It started in a reasonable fashion- with an official type of letter. You know the sort; the engravings about the sides, giving the thick, creamy sheet a somewhat lacquered appearance. Miniscule scoring marks could be detected in the paper’s pattern. It was plastered with gaudy gold ink, not a single word without a fantastic flourish embellishing it. One is not immediately suspicious of a wedding invitation- in fact, I enjoy such occasions greatly. I ripped the rich beige envelope, smiling expectantly. Lo and behold, no wedding invitation is encased within. Instead, the demonic, soulless eyes of a blindingly scarlet fiend leer mockingly up at me, proclaiming crassly from a speech bubble floating unassumingly beside its shaggy mass of a skull that “I’m Invited!” My fingers cramped; I clutched the abomination and twisted until the fine paper crumpled beneath my whitened fingers. Scornfully, I dropped the invitation, watching the mangled Elmo drift to the floor. Long have I entertained a secret horror for Sesame Street- there lurk the monsters of my childhood- the gleaming sockets of the looming, neon yellow form of Big Bird; the wicked cackle of a filth encrusted green thing skulking in a garbage can; the deceivingly friendly, amphibian face of a grotesquely grinning frog… Of course, I also felt a certain obligation. The press would leap at me like rabid dogs if they discovered my rejection of America’s youth. I would be made out as a cruel, cold, child-hater. I shivered involuntarily as I bent to pick up the paper again. *** The set was a nightmare; an absolute nightmare. Gallingly cheerful, but all the same, shrouded in a perpetual cloud of malevolence. Or so I felt. I was on edge, senses on overhaul. This would surely be the death of me; I was not known to be paranoid, nor was I fond of inflicting dread unto myself. It’s for the media, my fevered mind whimpered beguilingly. Tempting me to enjoy the pleasant wit of the director or the gentle sun caressing my skin through an open skylight on the location. No, my primal instincts fairly screamed. Are you mad? You must be to let your guard down in a place like this. A place like this- a cold finger stroked my spine alluringly. No. I would not fall under the thrall that this god-forsaken pit of despair held so many desperate souls captive. Finally, the casting; the lights dimmed. To my utmost dismay, my scene was one in which I would be locked in a sterile white box, lit only by flickering fluorescent bulbs, reminiscent to an interrogation room. And, oh, the awfulness of it all- this was Elmo’s element. The little beast would be allowed to torment me in whichever way he wanted. The gentle gleam of a red recording light flicked on. I started. The director rolled his eyes, raising his lip in a faint snarl. I gulped. A high, coldly, hysterical laugh suddenly tore through my ears. My apologetic grin froze oddly, and then trickled away. “HELLO, KIDS! Are you ready to have some fun with Miss Laney now?” The freakish animal giggled again as I gazed at it, eyes filming over in panic. The words had an unmistakably ominous ring to them. It was as I had imagined- menacingly bulky, the whites of its eyes rolling manically. The shrill, heavily engineered voice grated out again. “So, Miss Laney, can you tell all the kiddies what you do?” “I-I…” I had no wish to be regarded as incompetent as well as a dim-wit, so I choked the rest out. “I’m a recording artist,” I finished, voice strangled. The face’s beam widened considerably, teeth glinting peculiarly. “Would you sing us a songy-wongy?” the abysmal animal pleaded falsely, simpering grossly. I glanced sharply at the director- he bit his lip and shrugged, then mimicked taking the microphone the beast had produced from somewhere within the depths of its appalling costume. This hadn’t been part of the contract. The thing advanced ominously, steps tight and measured, but with a quiet feline grace. Its eyes glistened in its sockets. My voice cracked as I screamed, voice piercing with a sinking dread. Out of the corner of my eyes, I caught a glance of the director, nose wrinkled in disgust, pull out a walkie-talkie. His voice was heavy with fatigue as he spoke into it, voice crackling forebodingly as it crossed the reception line. “Security, please,” he growled.
- ANSWER:
  I like it, though it is a lot of description packed into each sentence. So it is a lot to handle. But nice.
QUESTION:
Biology Help (pGLO Transformation) Can you answer any of these questions? 1. if growth appeared on the LB/amp +DNA plate, would these bacteria... be transformed? Explain. fluoresce under UV light? Why or why not? 2. Why is the gene splicing product called recombinant DNA? 3. Why is it important to use the same restriction enzyme for making the cuts in both the plasmid and the human DNA? 4.Although transformed cells appear white, with the same phenotypic expression of the wild-type bacteria when the growth media lacks arabinose, they will fluoresce green with a long-wave UV lamp when arabinose is present. Explain why this color change occurs. 5. Provide a rational or benefit of adding DNA sequences coding for fluorescent proteins such as GFP, to tag genes o interest in plasmids used for transformation.
- ANSWER:
  1. Yes, they are transformed because only bacteria with the gene for ampicillian resistance can grow on the amp plates. The bacteria that fluoresce are also transformed, because they are expressing the pGLO gene. 2. The splicing product contains DNA from both the host and the insert, recombined into one molecule. 3. each restriction enzyme leaves a different sequence on the sticky ends, so if you used different kinds your host DNA and the insert would not recombine. 4. I can't answer this one 5. So that, even if the gene of interest was not expressed, you could tell if the cloning was successful.
QUESTION:
When is the right time to go on temp disabilty? How does one approach their employer with...? ...that? My dry eye symptoms have worsened lately to the point where I can't work in the office with the fluorescent lighting and AC blowing on my eyes. Also the extensive computer work is causing excessive strain. I am seeing eye dr's and tried all the eye drops & gels and now am being advised to get my tear ducts plugged up. I have Graves disease which is the main cause. I also have blepharitis. I can't even drive in the sunlight at this point without tearing burning and blurring to the point of not being able to see the road. Evening driving is ok. My question is whether I should go on temp disability now or not. I will get full pay benefits up to 26 weeks if need be. Will this hurt my job security and my career? I feel this would be best for me to get away from the computer (10-15 hours a day) and give my eyes a break while a seek out and resolve what I need for my eyes to get healed.
- ANSWER:
  Going on state disability will not hurt your job security. By law your employer has to take you back. However they don't have to give you your same location back to you. Your health is more important then your job my friend. I put off going on disability for 3 years and now I have permanent damage to my legs. My advice to you , is take the time you need to be off and take care of your health problems before it gets to serious and you can't work anymore at all. You can always get another job my friend ' it might not be the same job but you will get back on your feet if you want to bad enough.
QUESTION:
Some questions related to environmental health...? 1, Why Should Global Environmental Issues such as Population Growth, Thinning of the Ozone Layer, and Biodiversity of Species Matter to People? 2. List three things that the natural environment provides that benefit health status. 3. A result of a negative visual environment might be: a. better social health c. increased stress b. fewer distractions d. improved concentration 4. According to the World Bank Group, population is increasing by about how many people per day? a. 50,000 c. 200,000 b. 100,00 d. 20,00 5. As of the end of the year 2003, there were about how many people living on Earth? a. 3.1 billion c. 986 million b. 245 million d. 6.3 billion 6. If you are not going to use a fluorescent light bulb for _____, it pays to turn it off a. 30sec c. 30min b. 5min d. 1hr 7. The increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming is due primarily to a. an increase in tree planting in many areas of the world b. an increase in the Sun's radiation c. geothermal energy sources d. burning of fossil fuels for energy 8. One condition associated with poverty is a. homelessness c. education b. childlessness d. affordable housing
- ANSWER:
  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqUSonZGKepG56NKcCCKB34jzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20100612140008AAEOF0Z #1, talk about how People depend on their environment to survive. #2, probably water, oxygen, food, and freedom from pests / carnivores. #3, c #4, you'll have to read the text. #5, probably d #6, guessing 5 min. Turning them on and off makes them fail sooner. This moves mercury releases to the landfill... #7, d #8, a
QUESTION:
Bearded dragon advice regarding lighting and supplements.? Hello, I currently use a 5.0 reptiglo for my baby beardie.Is that good? Or not? If not please specify which one is. How about Exo Terra 160 Watt Solar Glo Bulb? It's description is below: * Optimal levels of UVB, UVA, visual light and heat in one bulb * Self-ballasted mercury vapor bulb * Provides the benefits of natural sunlight * Helps prevent metabolic bone disease * Increased UVB penetration distance Or another bulb which is Fluker Sun Spot 160 Watt Mercury Vapor Bulb. OR Zoo Med Repti Sun 10.0 Fluorescent Bulb? What's better, Bulbs or flourecent tubes? Which one would you pick and why? As for the supplements... I heard of a supplement that has all in one, and is the best there is as it is especially made for beardies. It is T Rex Bearded Dragon Calcium Plus. What are your thoughts? Thank you.
- ANSWER:
  Sorry, but I don't know the names of the different UVB/UVA lights. I use a 150 watt basking light for my dragon. The wattage could be different for you depending on how big your dragon's cage is. The temperature should be over 100 in the basking zone. As for supplements, use 2 different ones. I use RepCal calcium and vitamins. Dust your dragon's crickets with calcium everyday and vitamins every other day. I hope this helps.

Paint Grade Kitchen Cabinets

2012-07-04T12:12:00.000+08:00

How To Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Believe it or not, you can give your kitchen a whole new look without having to do a complete kitchen renovation. By simply repainting your existing kitchen cabinets you can freshen up the kitchen's decor. And if you take the time and effort to properly prep your cabinetry before you paint, you can get a professional-grade finish.

Step 1: Clean the cabinets. In order for the primer and paint to form a tight bond with the cabinet surface, you will want to make sure that you remove all existing grease and food residue. Even the cleanest kitchen will develop a thin layer of build-up over time, so use TSP, trisodium phosphate, which is a paint prep cleaner and degreaser in one. Wash all surfaces that will be painted over.

Step 2: Remove the cabinet doors, drawers and hardware. To really get that professional look, you will want to take the time to remove all of the hardware. While it's tempting to skip this step to save time, you'll need to do it in order to have hardware that's crips and clean, not paint streaked. If you don't have a screw gun or drill to remove the pulls, a simple screwdriver will do.

Step 3: Lightly sand the flat surfaces. Once the doors are clean and the hardware has been removed, you'll need to lightly sand the flat surfaces. This will help create a porous surface for the primer and paint to stick to. You can use light sand paper, but a better option is a lightly-grained sanding sponge this will better work the nooks and crannies of the doors. Once the sanding is done, use a tack cloth to wipe clean any loose dust.

Step 4: Prime the cabinet doors. Another easy way to ensure a professional look on your cabinets is to use a low pressure paint sprayer. It not only saves time but also minimizes the number of brush and roller strokes you'll have to fix in the final stages. When you're spraying, set the sprayer at high volume. Start on the outside edges of the doors, working your way to the middle.

Step 5: Prep and prime the wall and base units. Unless you want to go through the tedious task of masking off your entire kitchen, the base and wall cabinets will have to be primed and painted by hand. You'll need a 2-inch sash brush and small roller, which will make it easier to create the high-quality finish. Start by taping off any areas where you are concerned about a errant brush stokes, then use the brush and roller to apply an even coat of primer.

Step 6: Apply the topcoat. It's highly recommended that you use a specially-formulated paint that resists oil and dirt from people's fingers. This will help the durability of the paint. Repeat the steps from priming the base and wall cabinets with the topcoat. When you're ready to spray the doors and drawers fronts outside, you might find it necessary to thin the topcoat slightly with a small amount of water to help it spray evenly.

Step 7: Reinstall the hardware and doors. After the paint has had a chance to dry and harden completely (usually about 24 hours) you can screw the hardware back into place.

If you want to take your kitchen "remodel" up a notch, consider replacing your old hardware to complete the look. Or add some new window treatments to accent your like-new cabinets. And there you have it, a new look for your kitchen in just one weekend.

About the author:

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets-3398575.html

Kitchen Cabinet Design Software Free

2012-07-04T09:19:00.000+08:00

Free Kitchen Design Software

When people build their homes they spend so much time and effort, not to mention money, to make it really look good. They would not settle for just an ordinary look but instead opt to have a look that would stand out. Each part of the house is carefully planned out such that they are all presentable to whoever is visiting. But there will be times that you will get tired with the look of one part if not the whole house itself.

For example there will come a time when you will think that you no longer like the way your kitchen looks so you will have to have it renovated. But how do you design it well such that it will not affect the general look of the entire housec Do you employ the services of an architect or an interior designerc Or do you just design it yourself.

The good news nowadays is that you can achieve a professional looking design without spending a lot. You can at anytime find free kitchen design software to help you create your plan.

Using free kitchen design software is generally easy. In just a matter of minutes you will already be comfortable manipulating the software because it is user friendly and it comes with lots of video tutorials. With any available free kitchen design software, you can design either from scratch or use any of the models in its library.

If you are someone who cannot easily visualize a 2D plan, you can choose free kitchen design software that converts 2D designs to 3D images. This is really helpful especially if you intend to do the kitchen renovation yourself. You will not get confused because you will see real looking objects instead of flat figures.

Choosing free kitchen design software to create your kitchen renovation plan is very practical. It will allow you to save money, which you can actually use for the actual renovation process.

About the author: For more great information on Free Kitchen Design Software visit our new website www.dreamhomeimprovementguide.com.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/free-kitchen-design-software-1031048.html

Cost To Reface Kitchen Cabinets

2012-07-03T12:29:00.000+08:00

Cost of Kitchen Cabinet Refacing- Reface or Restore

So your kitchen cabinet is long due for a faceliftc You need to apply the facelift badly if you want the kitchen cabinet to look consistent with the interiors of your home. You have two options before you because you have a shoestring budget: Refacing or Restoration. Given the tight budget you have, cost of kitchen cabinet refacing might not be such a bad idea and will save you a lot of money and will also get the work done for a few days.

However, kitchen restoration is generally believed to be a cheaper and on most occasions, a better option than kitchen cabinet restoration. Also, the cost of kitchen cabinet refacing is higher than that of kitchen cabinet restoration.

The reason kitchen cabinet restoration is considered a cheaper option is that this is easier to find and cheap to buy from your nearby stores and you can mostly do the job yourself without really falling back on the carpenter or the plumber.

The first thing that you need for kitchen cabinet restoration is a wood cleaner. Ideally, you should stick to a wood cleaner which is environment friendly. Some examples of wood cleaners include Net Trol, Trewax Wood oxalic acid, Trisodium, Preserva products and so on. The quality of the stuff is pretty good and they are environment friendly and health friendly too.

You must first decide the type of kitchen cabinet restoration you are looking for and only then can you decide on an appropriate kitchen cabinet restorer. Some kitchen cabinet restoration may be pretty elaborate while some restoration jobs and tasks may be pretty simple and may not require the intervention of the experts or the carpenters.

You must consider the following factors before you actually decide on a kind of restoration.

First, what is your budget that you can affordc As stated earlier, there are various categories of restorations of the kitchen cabinets to choose from. Obviously, the more elaborate the tasks, the higher will be the prices. You would do well to visit the various shops and the carpenters and take an estimate from them to understand your budget too.

Second, what is the kind of job you are exactly looking forc Would you go for something in the short term because of your budgetary constraints or would you go for a long term work that would be more robust and also a tad costlier.

As stated earlier, the cost of kitchen cabinet refacing is higher than that of kitchen cabinet restoration but that does not mean that you should choose inferior services. Decide on the type of work after you have evaluated all kinds of options.

About the author: The cost of kitchen cabinet refacing is high when compared to using a good quality kitchen cabinet restorer that you can apply yourself. Kitchen cabinet restoration cost about fifteen or twenty dollars and you'll be amazed with how good it looks and shines. Visit: http://www.proshotcorporation.com/pro-shot-cabinet-restorer

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/cost-of-kitchen-cabinet-refacing-reface-or-restore-2758917.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
About how much does it cost to reface kitchen cabinets?
My kitchen is 13x13. I am interested in redoing the look of the cabinets. There are about 20 all together. Whats a rough estimate?? I was thinking light oak no fancy crown molding.
- ANSWER:
  One of my friends did his kitchen in light oak. Since you haven't provided a lot of detail on what you have, I am assuming that the framework of the cabinet will have to be done as well. Door and drawer front replacement (assuming the drawers are ok) would also be in order. Looking at 20 doors and fronts (I would estimate about - each not including hardware or finish for a raised panel design. The hinges and knobs will be a personal choice and can be priced at Home Depot or the like. So far as preparation of the cabinet framework, I am assuming that it is not already oak. There are two approaches to using the existing cabinets--you can strip the facings from the cabinet (remove them) or you can apply an oak veneer over the existing facing. This will take a decision to make sure that is the right direction since I do not know the condition of the existing facings. Veneer I am estimating at about 0 for materials (you would do the labor). Labor hired will probably as a rule of thumb be about equal to the material cost (depending on what part of the country you are in). If you replace the facings, you are looking at about double that amount both in material and labor (unfinished). I hope this helps. Good luck with your project.

Kitchen Cabinet Doors Only

2012-07-02T17:39:00.000+08:00

LED Under Cabinet Lighting - Wireless Solution For The Best Looking Kitchen

With the incredible efficiency of LED lights, wireless LED under cabinet lights that are battery powered make sense for the very first time. It is just impossible to imagine any kind of efficient incandescent or even fluorescent battery powered under cabinet lights.

There are some tempting advantages of wireless LED under cabinet lights and some serious drawbacks, let's describe them:

Advantages of wireless LED under cabinet lights

LED lights come as close to fulfilling the lifelong dream of wireless lighting. Because they use so little energy, under cabinet lighting in the kitchen can run for a long time on batteries alone. As such, they sport no wires.

The first advantage of wireless LED under cabinet lights is that there is no wires to install, no wires to guide through the furniture, and no confusion in hot and busy kitchen environment. Installing wireless under cabinet lighting is a breeze. The second advantage is that due to them being so compact, the kitchen under cabinet lighting can be attached to the cabinet by a tape alone, and often, that will be sufficient. The third advantage is the ability to implement motion detection, which can prevent battery draining when you forget to turn the lights off. This can indeed significantly prolong the effective life of batteries. The fourth advantage is that, due to wireless kitchen under cabinet lights being light and using no wires, it is possible to use these lights inside the cabinets and cupboards, and there is no need to drill holes through the cabinet walls to provide access to electricity. This is especially important for expensive cabinets or cabinets that you do not own, in case you are renting your home. The fifth and last advantage of wireless under cabinet LED lights is that they can be very useful in case of power outage.

Disadvantages of wireless LED battery powered under cabinet lighting

The first and foremost disadvantage is that the battery life is necessarily limited, therefore the useful lifetime between battery exchanges will be limited. As mentioned above, this deficiency can be minimized by purchasing wireless LED under cabinet lights that feature motion detection. Second disadvantage.

Because many owners opt for the tape attachment of wireless LED under cabinet lights, the lights are prone to detachment and fall from their position. It is always advisable to affix the lights to the cabinet if at all possible. If this is not possible, it is important to heed manufacturer's advice about affixing the tape to give it the best chance of holding up with the weight of the LED light.

Types of wireless under cabinet LED lights available on the marketplace

Wireless Bar LED undercabinet lights Wireless LED undercabinet lights featuring a motion sensor Wireless LED undercabinet lights featuring a remote

About the author: For more information on manufacturers, models of these and similar types of wireless under cabinet kitchen lights, go to wireless under cabinet lighting. For hard wired counterparts, you can check out low voltage under cabinet lighting.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/led-under-cabinet-lighting-wireless-solution-for-the-best-looking-kitchen-5181520.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
who sells kitchen base cabinet, shell only. No doors.?
I just purchased doors only. My current cabinet bases are in horrible shape. So, I only need the shell.
- ANSWER:
  Most cabinet manufacturers offer a "no door" option. Usually, it is just a deduction from the regular cabinet price. The hard part is making sure that the doors will fit as planned. I'd suggest getting one cabinet, first, as a test.

Stainless Steel Kitchen Cabinet Doors

2012-07-02T12:53:00.000+08:00

Finish Your Kitchen Remodel With Satin Nickel Door Knobs

Have you undertaken a kitchen remodel project and are not sure if it is completec Do you feel like despite the new pots, pans, fancy gadgets and new appliances, something is still missingc You are probably correct! One of the most overlooked aspects to most in-home renovation projects includes removing and replacing door handles. Check out the following tips to finally give your kitchen that finishing touch.

Tip 1: Choose Your Color and Finish

Once you have begun your kitchen remodel, the thought of entirely repainting the walls or tearing down the hand-hung wall paper may seem too daunting to even begin. However, with the proper door hardware accessories, you can change your style-without the added stress, hard work or additional finances.

Typical door hardware materials include: nickel, chrome, brass, stainless steel, iron and copper.

Depending on your kitchen's style, you need to determine what material will work best. For homes with smaller children, generally installing stainless steel hardware parts works best; these pieces are easily cleaned to reduce germs. However, if you like the look of stainless steel but are looking for a more affordable price, choose satin nickel door knobs; they compliment any style and are also easily cleaned.

Tip 2: Create a Unique Style

If you are concerned that your style seems mundane or run of the mill, try to incorporate unusual yet trendy aspects to your kitchen accessories. Door handles are available not only in just round knobs but also in drawer pulls and pull tabs. But, believe it or not, door hardware is also available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Why not try to weave your family's hobbies and extracurricular into your decoration.

By choosing door knobs that match your hobbies, you'll create a truly unique kitchen design. This is a great solution to getting children involved. However, if you do have children, avoid shapes that have sharp angles or edges that can cause accidents.

In addition to fun shapes, why not consider alternating the size of your cabinet door knobsc Depending on your height, certain cabinets - either extremely high or low - can be difficult to reach; by replacing certain levels of knobs with larger handles will enable you to quickly navigate throughout the kitchen and cook meals faster!

Tip 3: Choose the Placement of the Door Knob

Similarly to the size and shape of your door hardware, installing the door handle in a different location may make life easier as well. Especially for those hard to reach areas, reaching for the corner of a cabinet close to the ceiling can be next to impossible. By reinstalling your new knob in the center of your cabinet, you and your family members will access your pots, pans and dishware much more conveniently.

Tip 4: Don't Forget the Extras

While you are installing new kitchen hardware, be sure to keep your themes consistent. Floor registers, hinges and screws should all be purchased in the same or similar material and finish, unless you are aiming to produce an eclectic theme. To accentuate your style, choose the appropriate lighting fixtures that best suite both your style and your needs. If you are a busy home, a single hanging fixture over the center of your room might not be the most practical choice. Similarly, having multiple racks of track lighting may be excessive for single or small family-sized homeowners.

Tip 5: Show it Off

There's no better way to show off your newly renovated kitchen design than by throwing a party! Gather friends, family, neighbors or just your immediate family to come to your home. Whether intentionally or not, congregate in the kitchen. You'll be instantly rewarded with the compliments you receive for your unique, complete kitchen style. You'll probably even be asked to divulge some of the home renovation tips you've employed in your design-it's a sure sign of success!

About the author:

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/finish-your-kitchen-remodel-with-satin-nickel-door-knobs-1383343.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
This is designer question. I want to use the "new" stainless steel cylinder cabinet pulls?
on my kitchen cabinets for a European look. My cabinets doors are a simple slab in a light colored maple, miscellaneaous heights but predominately 27 inches.
How long can my handles be. And can they be micellaneous heights for the different cabinet heigths?
Although I don't have that many cabinets, I have gone for the heavy "pro" look with my range and fridge. So I think I can pull off the look I want on the cabinets by the long stainless handles. Your opinion is appreciated.
- ANSWER:
  I would go with 3" or 4" long handles. I would also put the same length handle on all cabinets to create a uniform look, different lengths would look awkward.

Custom Kitchen Cabinets Prices

2012-07-01T00:15:00.000+08:00

Comparing Rta Cabinets, Stock Cabinets, And Custom Cabinets

If you are shopping for kitchen cabinets, odds are the first place you turned to was Home Depot or Lowes (Menards if you are in the Midwest). Its easy access - you can tell them what you want and they will lay everything out for you. They usually have a wide range of styles to choose from, and the cost is significantly less then your typical custom cabinet company. Custom kitchen cabinets can range anywhere from ,000 - 0,000 for your average size kitchen. What percentage of people remodeling or building a new kitchen has this type of budgetc Not many. When it comes to remodeling a home or constructing a new one, people are always looking for ways save money. You dont want to sacrifice style for quality, but for the average person they have to find a happy medium to keep their renovation project within their budget.

Aside from custom cabinets, most companies today (even the private label brands at the big box stores) are acquiring their materials and products by having them directly imported, which reduces the cost per item, and allows them to pass some of the savings onto their customers. However, the big retail stores still have the high overhead cost associated with brick and mortar stores. Most of these cabinets fall under the category of RTA cabinets or Ready-To-Assemble cabinets. If you can turn a flat head screwdriver then you will be able to construct these cabinets in no time. The assembly is easy and the benefits are even better. But, if you could save even more money by buying direct, and skipping the store, would youc Well now you can. There is a new of distributors that are importing these cabinets and selling them direct to the consumer.

Delivery time or lead time is another big selling point of RTA kitchen cabinets If you compare the delivery time, quality and price of most RTA cabinets to a Lowes or a Home Depot, the RTA kitchen cabinets sell themselves. Since Lowes and Home Depot do not keep the majority of their kitchen cabinets in stock, they have to make them accordingly to each order, which could take several weeks if not months. When purchasing RTA cabinets you are looking at about 8-10 business days for your order to be processed then around 2-4 days for shipping. The quality comparison is even more convincing. Your typical Lowes and Home Depot kitchen cabinets include multiple pieces made of particle board, which does not hold up well if you are not familiar with the material. Good RTA kitchen cabinets are made entirely of real wood. The front of the each cabinet is made of solid wood and the sides are made of or finished plywood. The shelves are also made of finished plywood along with the drawers as well. As mentioned earlier, these are RTA (ready to assemble) cabinets. All that is needed to construct these cabinets is a flat head screwdriver in order to tighten the cam locks, which is a locking mechanism that is engaged with a simple twist of the wrist once two parts are fitted together.

If you still need to be convinced that RTA kitchen cabinets are your best bet for well made affordable cabinets, the price comparison seals the deal. A typical 10x10 kitchen at Lowes and Home Depot easily goes for -k. That same estimate with RTA cabinets can be as little as -k. So by choosing RTA cabinets for your next kitchen remodel not only can you save thousands of dollars that can be well spent on other parts of the house or just simply saved, you are getting solid cabinets that look great.

About the Author:

I have been remodeling house for 15 years, and I have the secret to getting high qualityRTA cabinets at an affordable price. Interested in finding out my secretc Follow these links to find out the secret to getting RTA Kitchen cabinets at 30-40% below retail prices

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Comparing-RTA-Cabinets--Stock-Cabinets--and-Custom-Cabinets/347683

Contemporary Kitchen Cabinet Doors

2012-06-30T12:48:00.000+08:00

For Contemporary Kitchen Designs Choose Satin Nickel Door Knobs

Contemporary kitchen designs are just one of many different designs that homeowners look into when they are remodeling their kitchen. This particular design is popular amongst homeowners that value minimalist design elements and linear features. In addition to minimal design, many contemporary kitchens also have an asymmetrical layout and have more of an industrial feel to them.

When it comes to decorating your kitchen with a contemporary design or feel, there are numerous remodeling ideas that can help you accomplish this. One of the most focal points in any kitchen happens to be the cabinets that go throughout the kitchen. In most contemporary kitchens, homeowners will install frameless cabinets. These particular types of cabinets have minimal design and straight, clean lines to them.

Along with the cabinets that are used to create a contemporary look in the kitchen, the cabinet hardware can also help with the design elements. In contemporary kitchens, homeowners often times use large, yet simple, cabinet handles and knobs in order to round out this particular design. it is important that the cabinet knobs and pulls are simple and do not have very many intricate details in them. For contemporary designs, simple is always better.

There are numerous types of cabinet knobs and pulls that fit in with the contemporary design. in addition to the size and design of the cabinet knobs and pulls, there are also certain finishes and materials that give the hardware a contemporary look to them as well. For instance, satin nickel door knobs for the cabinets create a contemporary look when applied to the frameless cabinets. Other finishes for cabinet accessories such as polished brass and oil rubbed bronze will not have the same affect for the contemporary design as satin nickel will have.

In addition to using cabinets to get a contemporary feel, you can accomplish this design by incorporating the minimalist ideas with other design elements such as the doors, paint colors and lighting. In contemporary kitchens there is always an abundance of lighting, in particular track lighting. It is also best to use white or other bold colors in the kitchen to create a contemporary design. Another contemporary design element that fits with the kitchen is using frosted glass panels in the doors or even in the windows in the kitchen. This particular design elements gives a nice clean contemporary feel to any kitchen.

One of the most important aspects of creating a contemporary kitchen is choosing the type of materials you would like to use to accomplish this design. For many contemporary kitchens, the materials that are used are man-made and create a somewhat industrial feel to the kitchen. For instance, many contemporary kitchens will use steel, plastic, chrome, laminate, concrete, glass and acrylic to get a particular contemporary look in the kitchen. However, there are other materials that can be used to create a contemporary kitchen but not feel as industrial in the end. These materials include granite, slate, stone and wood.

About the author:

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/for-contemporary-kitchen-designs-choose-satin-nickel-door-knobs-1383413.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
How can I dress up my slab cabinet kitchen doors?
I love the simplicity, but just want to add a little something to it., so it's not like every other contemporary kitchen. Any suggestions?
They are MDF board and they are cream in colour.
- ANSWER:
  Try a brown glaze to make them looked aged. Its very easy to use, its stays wet for quite awhile so theres plenty of time to work with it and get the look you want

Laminate Kitchen Cabinet Doors

2012-06-29T23:20:00.000+08:00

Cabinet Resurfacing

It is finally time to do something about those old, worn out cabinets but you do not have the money to cover the cost of an all out replacement of the cabinets. If that is you then what you need is cabinet resurfacing. Cabinet resurfacing is the process of covering up the surfaces of the existing cabinets with wood veneer.

Before you decide to do a cabinet resurfacing, you need to thoroughly examine your existing cabinets to be sure that they are in good condition. If there is no structural fault and you are fine with the current design then by all means, go ahead with the cabinet resurfacing.

Next you need to determine what you want from the cabinet resurfacing. Deciding whether you merely want a different look or if you want to update the cabinets by giving them a more upscale appearance would help you in choosing what form your resurfacing job should take.

Conduct a thorough research either in home improvement magazines or online so that you have a good idea of what you want your cabinets to look like when you are through. Jumping into the project without a clear idea of what you want to be the outcome could cause you confusion and wastage in terms of money and time.

Having a clear idea of what you want for your cabinet resurfacing would also help you to plan your budget which is the next important step. To do this, you could confer with friends and family that have recently done a cabinet resurfacing. Find out how an estimated cost of what they spent. You could also consult a licensed cabinet resurfacing expert for an idea of what your budget should look like.

To further aid your budgeting, contact different cabinet resurfacing companies located near you or cabinet makers and ask them for a cost estimate. If necessary, allow them to get a thorough and detailed look at your cabinet then give you a quotation on what it would take to do a resurfacing. You can then compare pricing and services before you make your decision.

Once your budget is all prepared and you have screened the different cabinet resurfacing companies, you can then pick the company of your choice to work with. Make sure that you are able to communicate clearly with them and that they understand your vision for your cabinet. Preferably, work with them each step of the way, from design to completion. That way there is little room for misunderstandings or unsatisfactory work.

An important part you should not neglect is to research the cabinet resurfacing company before you make any firm commitment to work with them. They should have a stellar reputation for delivering quality work on time.

It is possible to remodel your cabinets and have them looking elegant and upscale without spending a lot of money. Cabinet resurfacing will give you great looking cabinets in less time than it would take to replace the old ones and for less money.

About the author: Shawn Hickman is the Sears Marketing Manager for Sears Home Improvements. If you need more information on Cabinet Resurfacing , visit the Kitchen Remodeling sections of the Sears Home Services website.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/cabinet-resurfacing-4039795.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
How to remove the taping on the edges of laminate kitchen cabinet doors?
Some of it has worn off and there is still sticky adhesive left. I want to remove what is left of the old and put on new.
- ANSWER:
  To remove the remaining molding, us a hot iron and a pair of pliers. Heat and pull.

Maple Kitchen Cabinet Doors

2012-06-29T11:24:00.000+08:00

Cream Maple Kitchen Cabinets

The building blocks of the heart of homes, kitchen cabinets have been an integral part of kitchen remodeling. Among the large contributors to both overall appeal and functionality, it is a must that both factors are satisfied when choosing among your cabinetry options. This article lays out how cream maple kitchen cabinets can be the perfect solution to your unique renovation requirements boosting both appeal and efficiency.

Why Cream Maple Kitchen Cabinets.

This premium line of cabinetry is a great choice whether you are looking for a collection of set-off the fashion in the heart of your home, will effectively stand through the intensive conditions and use of kitchens, or a delightful combination of both.

Stylish. Cream maple kitchen cabinets are made unique by their deliciously smooth and milky finish that makes up for an elegant faade. The whiteness is exquisitely tinged with a hint of buttery goodness that allows your cabinetry to help create a welcoming look and feel to kitchens. This cabinetry choice can fabulously blend in with other types of materials such as other finishes of hardwood, glass, natural stone countertops, tiles, and stainless steel. The raised panels and full overlay door design adds to the stylish appeal of this option that can complement beautifully with a variety of designs and color schemes.

Durable. Manufactured from one of the most durable wood species popular for furniture making, cream maple kitchen cabinets boast not only of exquisite beauty but also of natural strength. This quality of the wood is made more efficient by the use of advanced manufacturing methods and choicest hardware. This ensures that your kitchen cabinets will not fall apart in just months requiring you to buy another set or pay for repair. With proper care, you can help maintain the beauty and durability of the building blocks of your kitchen even through the everyday mess and changes in temperature and humidity. Maple cabinetry can grace your home for years and years of functional use.

Shopping for Cream Maple Kitchen Cabinets

When it comes to cabinetry, it is important that you know not all cream maple kitchen cabinets are equal. Even if they have the same product name, they may not offer the same features or quality. So be careful when shopping for the best fitting cabinetry for your needs and never fall into the pitfall of buying the first set you see on the Internet or in your local home improvement shop. To get the best quality, here are top tips to consider:

- Look into the details. Take the time to compare the features such as all wood cabinet construction, solid wood drawer fronts and doors, soft close glides, back panels, shelves, hinges, etc.

- If you are in doubt, order door samples. When it comes to website pictures, there are certain elements that may cause a difference with the actual product. It would be best if you actually compare the finish against your kitchen lighting, and colors.

- If you do not know any supplier and have not been personally referred to any, be wary of the shop that you buy from. To get the best value for your money, buy only from reputable cream maple kitchen cabinets supplier.

About the author: Realize the kitchen of your dreams with our premium line of RTA cabinets including the luscious Cream Maple Cabinets that boasts of superb quality for an easily affordable price. Planning on a kitchen remodelc Plan your remodeling project right and get FREE estimates from our Remodeling Calculators

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/cream-maple-kitchen-cabinets-3675314.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
What is the best glue & technique for repairing a crack in a wood kitchen cabinet door?
I have a wood (maple) kitchen cabinet door that has developed a crack that is about to split the door lengthwise if I don't do something soon. I want to glue it but I want to use the best glue for that so the door stays together and doesn't make it look messy. If I am unable to repair this crack I am afraid I will have to replace all my kitchen doors (about 20) to make sure they match. I don't want to do that since we are going to move in a year or two.
- ANSWER:
  1. Remove the door.
  2. You will need a few bar clamps that can open wider than the door.
  3. Titebond glue or gorilla glue.
  4. Clamp door so crack is not or hardly visible. This may take some trial and error. Remember how you had the clamps location tightness etc.
  5. Run a line of glue down the crack, with a shop vacuum,put the hose on the underside of the crack. This will suck the glue into the crack.
  6.Put clamps back as they were, wipe excess glue off door and allow glue to dry. Follow glue makers instructions.
  GOOD LUCK!!!!

Replace Kitchen Cabinet Doors

2012-06-28T18:49:00.000+08:00

Replace Cabinet Doors

Renovating a kitchen can rack up a lot of expense which is why most homeowners search for less expensive ways of making their kitchen trendier. A way to change the look of your kitchen and give it a trendier feel is to replace the cabinet doors. This also applies to cabinet doors in the bathroom although the kitchen is without a doubt, the area of the house that usually has the most cabinets.

The cabinet doors in a kitchen are usually the first to show the signs of age, wear and tear. The usage is usually very heavy and that takes its toll. Unfortunately, the cabinet doors are also one of the most noticeable features in a kitchen. When they begin to show the signs of wear and tear, the first thought might be to buy and install completely new cabinets. But this is an expensive undertaking and if the cabinets themselves are in good condition, it is simpler and far cheaper to just replace cabinet doors.

When you decide to replace cabinet doors in your kitchen there are a few things to take into

consideration. The most obvious fact is that you will have to work with what you've got. This means that you will get to use the existing cabinets as they do not undergo any change. If you have always had a problem with the existing cabinets, that might be a challenge for you and you might not see the need to replace cabinet doors and instead, install fresh cabinets. However, if you do not have any issues with the existing cabinets and have no problem using them as they are, then the option to replace cabinet doors is for you.

There are many options to choose from when it comes to replacing cabinet doors. The good thing is that you do not need to stick to the exact same design of the previous cabinet doors nor do you need to match the design of the cabinet door to the design of the cabinet itself.

To spice up the look of your kitchen a little bit, you could use cabinet doors with designs on them. Plain cabinet doors tend to be merely utilitarian without adding that touch of style and class to the kitchen which raised cabinet doors seem to add.

If you really are on a budget, you could try to replace your cabinet doors with laminate cabinet doors. They are not as expensive as the hand-crafted doors and instantly add an upscale factor to your kitchen.

For those with small kitchens, it is advisable to avoid wooden cabinet doors as they tend to eat up space, making an area look smaller than it actually is. A good alternative would be to replace with glass cabinet doors.

Deciding to replace cabinet doors is a great way to get a smart looking kitchen without spending a whole load of money.

About the author: Shawn Hickman is the Sears Marketing Manager for Sears Home Improvements. If you need more information on how to Replace Cabinet Doors , visit the Kitchen Remodeling sections of the Sears Home Services website.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/replace-cabinet-doors-4039824.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
what material would you use to replace kitchen cabinet doors?
trying to plan a modest kitchen makeover and would like to replace just the kitchen cabinet doors (everything will be painted to match). what material would you use? i was considering mdf, but i dont know how it would hold up.
- ANSWER:
  If you used MDF and you are painting them yourself you are going to have a hard time MDF soaks up like a sponge.If you really want to make your own doors I would use a birch veneer on a mdf core plywood/sheet material. you will need to cover the edges of your doors to hide the MDF material so you can finish the doors
  Here how I would do this, if your going with a white color, I would purchase Therm-o-foil doors and install over on my current boxes, after you have painted to match, will give you the best look, allow you to cover -up imperfections and cut down on your work load.
  If you used a "paint grade" material for doors, they are still going to expand and contact which will over time show up as hair line breaks or cracks in the paint/finish

Fully Assembled Kitchen Cabinets

2012-06-28T14:03:00.000+08:00

The Basics Of Ready To Assemble Kitchen Cabinets

With budget remodeling projects on the rise, more and more homeowners are seeing the potentials of Ready to Assemble Kitchen Cabinets as one of their tickets to a more attractive interior as well as a more functional kitchen. But like other home improvements, it is essential to equip yourself with enough knowledge of any product or supply before letting go of your hard-earned cash. Before you start shopping for new cabinetry to integrate into your New York home, taking the time to know more about RTA cabinet units would surely pay off whether you are in Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island or Queens.

Ready to Assemble Kitchen Cabinets, as the name suggests, are cabinet units that are bought packaged with everything needed from the cut-to-fit pieces that makes up the shelves, frames, doors and drawers ; and all the functional and decorative hardware. Due to the increase in demand, RTA cabinets come in the most popular range of sizes, designs and finishes. The cost is also as varied as that with pre-assembled ones ranging from the low-end spectrum of particleboard to high-end and luxurious hardwood. The factors that will considerably affect how much you pay for specific sets are the complexity in design, materials, craftsmanship, and finish.

Other than coming in the trendiest fashions, there are still a lot of advantageous to opting for Ready to Assemble Kitchen Cabinets:

As you do the assembling yourself, you can cutback on labor costs.

Packed flat, transportation is easier and shipping rates are even less compared with fully assembled cabinet units as they take up lesser space.

Parts are already cut-to-fit and holes are already drilled where they should be. So even those without any handy skills can follow assembly instructions easily. Tools are not even a problem as often the only one you'll need is a screwdriver. Most set of RTA cabinetry need nothing more than screws, glue, and wood dowels, all of which are already supplied within the package that comes together with a comprehensive instruction manual.

RTA cabinet units cost just a fraction of the price of custom made cabinets but can be just as beautiful and durable as any pieces you can see on showrooms.

Remodeling project can be finished much faster. As Ready to Assemble Kitchen Cabinets are easier to store, your local home improvement shop or online store would surely have what you need on hand. But even if the RTA cabinet units you choose are out of stock, it would only take 2 to 3 weeks for them to get delivered compared with custom-made which takes around 8 weeks.

When browsing through the selection of available options, take the current style of your home in mind. This makes the task less overwhelming as you narrow down your choices as well as ensures a well-complementing style for the existing dcor. Before ordering Ready to Assemble Kitchen Cabinets, a crucial thing to ensure is accurate measurements of the available space to get cabinetry that fits perfectly. To maximize organization, features such as light rails, roll-out trays, drawer organizers and Lazy Susans can be added.

About the author: Eugene Makeev uses his skills and expertise to help home owners in Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island avoid the common remodeling New York pitfalls by matching their needs with prescreened RTA cabinets Contractors.
Feel free to use ourkitchen calculator.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/the-basics-of-ready-to-assemble-kitchen-cabinets-1909006.html

Replacement Doors For Kitchen Cabinets

2012-06-27T20:43:00.000+08:00

Cabinet Doors Replacement Made Easy

When your kitchen or bathroom cabinets begin looking old, scratched, nicked and worn, you may start thinking about getting new cabinets. However, it is not necessary to replace the entire cabinets to have a new fresh look in your kitchen or bathroom. The cupboards themselves are probably still in good shape, but the doors seem to take a beating and get banged up. You would be surprised to see what a difference it can make to have custom cabinet doors installed on your existing cabinetry.

If you purchase your new cabinet doors online, you will save both money and time. When you shop online, you will find very reasonable prices for replacement cabinet doors. They can be custom made to suit your taste, and you will find a wide variety of contemporary wood species and colors from which to choose. There are many selections such as walnut, oak, teak, ebony, rosewood, zebrawood and others, so you are sure to find the right wood to compliment your home and achieve the look you desire. There are different finishes available for the cabinetry as well. When you send the measurements of your old doors and choose the type of wood and style that you want, the replacement custom made doors will be shipped directly to you for installation in your home.

You will attain an impressive look for your kitchen or bathroom when you remodel if you reface your cabinets by dressing them up with high quality wood custom replacement doors. You can achieve the look that will compliment the rest of the room perfectly with the wide variety of styles, woods, and colors available. Whether you want a bright cheery look or a warm and cozy appearance, you can express your personality and suit your tastes with attractive new cabinetry.

Even if replacement of the doors on your kitchen or bathroom cabinetry is the only remodeling you do in that room, the results will be amazing, and the appearance of your home will be enhanced because of your beautiful new cabinets.

Custom made kitchen or bathroom replacement doors will add value and beauty to your home. If it becomes necessary for you to relocate for some reason, you will find that your home will have a higher listing price on the market because of the attractive kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Those two rooms seem to attract the most attention from prospective buyers, and the cabinets are the major focus in both rooms. Lovely cabinets add charm and give an impression of quality to the home. You will find that your wise investment in attractive well-made cabinet doors of high quality wood will pay huge benefits if you find you must sell your home.

Your family and friends will be impressed, and you will have a feeling of satisfaction and pleasure when you see the dramatic change in your kitchen and bathroom after your new replacement doors are installed. The added value of your home provided by the beautiful cabinets will be an extra bonus.

About the author: Mike Applebaum has an expertise in kitchen cabinets refacing and is involved in the manufacturing of cabinet doors. His works can be found at http://www.27estore.com

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/cabinet-doors-replacement-made-easy-1881398.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
Need replacement doors for kitchen cabinets in a mobile home!?
I have looked and looked and can't find replacement doors for my kitchen cabinets in my 1998 Fleetwood Festiva home. They are so cheap looking and have been warped by water damage. Anyone have any ideas?
- ANSWER:
  Fleetwood is common I spent my teen years living in one inside a Mobile Home Park {don't know about you but I cant stand somebody telling me what I can and can't do to, with, or around my home........even-though I think the rent was more than the actual home payment lol} ..................but I digress. I still have friends who never left and still work in or at a Mobile Home Community and they are constantly moving around units because of bankruptcy, or abandonment, or rented and shellacked for insurance to total. The point is they go to Mobile Home heaven or somewhere I never bothered to ask until now lo. They go somewhere and if I can find out there might be a common place near your neck of the woods to....to.....to...heck "I don't know what to do, at a place I know exist, but never knew about. Pretty much sums it up. lol I'm sure somewhere in these big long strips of dwelling there is a chance to ask for....bid on.......purchase......or pick and pull from the carcase before the final trip into the light. It may even take place in the park itself after banks or insurances take them. I'll find out and update my answer accordingly before your time is out. I'll put this on clipboard for updates.
  Update 9/23/11 1:08 am pst I spoke with my friend and he suggested to monitor forclosure auctions under mobile homes. They run them in the parks them selves to try to recover losses. After they are registered uninhabitable and scrapped. I asked about the ones they cant sell he suggested contacting local mobilehome communities for listing. Sorry I could not find a more oportunistic opertunities. Good Luck to you.

Kitchen Cabinet Doors And Drawer Fronts

2012-06-27T16:12:00.000+08:00

Kitchen cabinet Drawers Guide

Properly proportioned and well-built drawers are an indispensable part of any kitchen. Like cabinet doors, well styled drawer fronts can contribute handsomely to the overall look of a kitchen. Yet their appealing faces hide the kitchen's most abused elements: the drawers themselves. Their organization and construction are of paramount importance, for a visually striking kitchen can be a frustrating place to work if its drawers are haphazardly located or jam every time they are opened.

Kitchen drawers must be built to last. They are yanked open and slammed shut countless times a day. Worse, drawers in the kitchen are often weighed down with appliances and crammed full of cutlery and utensils, so any shortcut made in their construction will eventually compromise their strength and utility.

This chapter details the techniques involved in building strong, attractive, smoothly functioning drawers. The construction guides on pages 80 and 81 offer an overview ofyour options for drawer faces, joinery, mounting, and materials. Your eventual choice will depend on your experience, shop setup, and timetable. When it comes to joinery, there is little question that the strongest joint is the through dovetail. Other options, like the lock miter, dado, and the double dado are suitable alternatives.

Kitchen drawers place tough demands on the mounting method used to secure them to the casework. Side-mounted firll extension sltdes are designed to withstand very rigorous use, and are the best choice if your budget permits. Bottom-mounted slides are not quite as strong, but are less expensive and easier to install.

When it comes to the appearance of a kitchen, the front is the most important part of a drawer. The design of your drawer fronts will help set the tone for the kitchen's style. Howwell the drawers are installed will also prove to be a lasting testimonial to your craftsmanship. It can be a time-consuming task to hang a drawer so it rests perfectly straight and level, let alone several banks of drawers in a cabinet run. Applytng a false front to the drawer can reduce the time spent fussing with levels and drawer slides. Wth minimal experience, you can quickly and accurately install false fronts on both inset and overlay drawers. Even if the mounted drawers themselves are slightly uneven, they will appear to be hung with the precise eye of a master cabinetmaker.

Visit the Woodworking Plans Website pages for more woodworking articles.

About the author: Woodchuck is an up and coming expert on crafts and hobbies. Do you want complete garden shed plans resourcec You can download fine woodworking plans and designs on 12000 shed plans,or you can learn woodworking by going to Free Shed Plans site.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/crafts-articles/kitchen-cabinet-drawers-guide-3249495.html

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
How can I best plan do it yourself replacement of cabinet doors & drawer fronts?
I live in a very rural and isolated community in southern Arizona and if work on my home is going to get done, its up to me. How can I best plan do-it-yourself replacement of kitchen cabinet doors & drawer fronts? I have browsed the internet and find there are many suppliers of doors and drawer fronts. I am fairly good with my hands. I'm just wanting to plan this well for the best possible results. Anyone know of a good book on the subject? I read extensively before I built a masonry block privacy wall and am glad I did.
Thanks to all, in advance, for your suggestions, ideas, and advice.
- ANSWER:
  For a do it yourselfer, I would suggest doors made of some kind of plywood. You can use 1/2" plywood and edge it in 3/4" solid decorative wood strips. Both are available at most hardware stores or lumber yards. You only need a brad nailer (or brad nails and a hammer), wood glue, a chop saw and a table saw (or good circular handsaw for ply).
  Making the doors 1/2 larger (or more) for overlaying the cabinet sides by a 1/4" on each side (or more). Many options on hinges: Concealed self closing (non-bore) screw in hinges, or surface hinges.
  Finishes can just be a tung oil or danish oil rub. Poly would provide good resilience in a kitchen or you could just paint (recommend an oil paint).
  Good luck