How to Wire Instant Start Fluorescent Fixtures

Instant-start fluorescent fixtures use what is called an "instant start ballast" to cause fluorescent light bulbs to light immediately upon flipping the light switch without the delay experienced when using traditional fluorescent fixtures. Instant start ballasts work by sending an initial current to the bulb that is much higher (almost eight times higher) than the bulb's normal operating voltage of 120 volts. As long as you take proper electrical safety precautions, wiring an instant start fluorescent light fixture shouldn't be too difficult.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Ladder
• Wire strippers or wire cutting pliers
• 3 Wire nuts

1. Turn off the electricity to the fixture.

2. Remove the old light fixture were the fluorescent fixture is to be installed.

3. Remove the cover from the inside of your instant start fluorescent fixture. This will expose the ballast and wiring.

4. Mount the housing (base) of the instant start fluorescent fixture to your ceiling or wall. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for guidance on mounting the fixture. Instant start fluorescent fixtures come in all shapes and sizes, and each style will mount differently.

5. Make sure that the wires from the electrical box in your wall or ceiling are running into your instant start fluorescent fixture through one of the holes in the fixture. You may have to knock out one of the pre-cut holes in the fixture to insert your wires.

6. Connect the wiring in your instant start fluorescent fixture by matching the colored wires from your fixture to the colored wires coming from your home's electrical box. There should be a black, white, and a green wire coming from your home's electrical box and from your fluorescent fixture. Connect the black with the black, the white with the white, and the green with the green. You will need to use wire nuts to connect each pair of wires. Make sure that the wire nuts you use are the right size for the gauge and number of wires that you are using. Sometimes there is no green (ground) wire coming from light fixtures. When there is no green wire present you will need to connect the green (ground) wire from your home to the metal housing of the light fixture using the ground screw provided on the fixture itself.

7. Replace the ballast cover.

8. Install the proper instant start fluorescent light bulbs for your instant start fluorescent fixture.

9. Install any covers that may have been included with your fixture.

10. Turn on the electricity and test your instant start fluorescent fixture.

Tips & Warnings

• Always make sure that the electricity is turned off before working with electrical wiring.

Resources

• HomeTips.com
• Nemesis.lonestar.org