How to Eliminate the Buzz From a Fluorescent Light
An annoying buzz from a light fixture may be a sign that part of the fixture is getting ready to fail -- or that you bought a cheap light fixture, if the buzzing is in a new fixture. New buzzing, from an old fixture can be repaired, in the second case, you may need to take a second trip to the lighting store. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Replace the bulb. Some fluorescent bulbs can develop a hum as they age. Replacing the bulb may be a quick fix.
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Replace the starter in the light fixture. Older fluorescent light fixtures, especially those with 4-foot bulbs, have starters. The starter is a small, cylindrical aluminum device about 2 to 3 inches long. These are usually located behind the bulb and fit into the fixture with a round plug. These can get hot, so leave the light off for quite some time before removing the bulb and turn counterclockwise to ensure it is seated well in the fixture. Remove and replace if it is firmly in place. Take the piece with you to the hardware store as different size bulbs/fixtures require different starters. Smaller, newer fixtures do not have starters. They also do not tend to buzz, so if you have a buzz, you probably have a starter.
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Try both the new starter and the new bulb together, or you may be only solving half the problem at a time. If that doesn't work, you may have to replace the ballast in the fixture. The ballast is the most likely cause of the buzz. It occurs as the electric current moves through the device's metal plates. They may begin to buzz as they fail, because of poor construction, or because you chose a less-expensive magnetic model, rated "B" or "C." Ballasts are rated as "A" for "extremely quiet," "B" for "somewhat noisy," or "C" for "outdoor noisy," according to "Fluorescent Lamps, Ballasts, and Fixtures: Principles of Operation, Circuits, Troubleshooting, Repair." An electronic ballast, rather than a cheaper, magnet version may be the solution.
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Ensure it is not simply vibration, rather than equipment failure, before replacing the ballast. Sometimes just tightening the screws that hold the fixture in place stops it from vibrating. In other cases, you may have to put something between the fixture and the wall. Rubber isolation washers are effective, as are squares of rubber from a tire patch kit or rubber gloves, according to "Popular Mechanics."
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Tips & Warnings
Sometimes it can be cheaper to just buy an entire new fixture, rather than replace the ballast.
Dispose of ballasts and fluorescent bulbs properly. Older ballasts contain PCBs and should be treated as household hazardous waste. Fluorescent lightbulbs contain trace amounts of mercury and many municipalities have special recycling programs for the bulbs.
Always unplug or cut the power to any electrical fixture before working on it.
Don't be fooled by the coolness of the bulb. Some parts of a fluorescent light fixture get quite hot and can burn you. Leave the power off for some time before working on one.
References
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