Help me not do something dangerous
July 1, 2012 12:15 PM Subscribe
Can you help me read the diagram for the retrofit rewiring of the ballast for my T12 florescent bulbs?
My fluorescent light buzzes like nuts, and it doesn't evenly illuminate the bulbs. I've replaced the bulbs, but that didn't help. I am not trying to replace the ballast. It looks like they have a new type of ballast:
And I have the correct replacement for my T12 system. The wiring is different, and I found the wiring diagram, specifically this one.
Here's my question. In the diagram for the "Electric wiring" on the very last link above, two blue wires go to where the black and white ones were previously. Can I reverse the whole set up and put a red and blue where the black and white ones were? The lengths of wires work out better that way. If I do it the way the diagram is drawn, I have to extend the two blues and the red wire is too long. If I try to reverse it, will something dangerous happen (like an electrical fire, bulb burnout, etc) or will it simply just not turn on?
(Bonus question: should I be calling an electrician?)
My fluorescent light buzzes like nuts, and it doesn't evenly illuminate the bulbs. I've replaced the bulbs, but that didn't help. I am not trying to replace the ballast. It looks like they have a new type of ballast:
And I have the correct replacement for my T12 system. The wiring is different, and I found the wiring diagram, specifically this one.
Here's my question. In the diagram for the "Electric wiring" on the very last link above, two blue wires go to where the black and white ones were previously. Can I reverse the whole set up and put a red and blue where the black and white ones were? The lengths of wires work out better that way. If I do it the way the diagram is drawn, I have to extend the two blues and the red wire is too long. If I try to reverse it, will something dangerous happen (like an electrical fire, bulb burnout, etc) or will it simply just not turn on?
(Bonus question: should I be calling an electrician?)
Best answer: It's not entirely clear what you're proposing. You contradicted yourself as to whether you're trying to replace the ballast, and I can't understand how you'd prefer to wire things up, so I'll just say this:
Here's my question. In the diagram for the "Electric wiring" on the very last link above,
Did you mean, "Electronic (Instant Start) Wiring?"
The lengths of wires work out better that way.
This is a really bad reason to change the way wires are connected.
should I be calling an electrician?
Sure sounds like it.
posted by jon1270 at 12:52 PM on July 1, 2012
Here's my question. In the diagram for the "Electric wiring" on the very last link above,
Did you mean, "Electronic (Instant Start) Wiring?"
The lengths of wires work out better that way.
This is a really bad reason to change the way wires are connected.
should I be calling an electrician?
Sure sounds like it.
posted by jon1270 at 12:52 PM on July 1, 2012
Best answer: I'm not 100% sure what you mean by reversing the whole setup. It is OK to flip the wiring of the bulbs end-for-end— they're symmetrical. It is not OK to attach the black and white wires (in that diagram) to anything but the power line; the ballast has a distinct input and output.
posted by hattifattener at 12:54 PM on July 1, 2012
posted by hattifattener at 12:54 PM on July 1, 2012
Response by poster: Sorry to not be clear. That's my question: can I flip the wiring of the bulbs.
In any case, I bought more wire and I'm going to follow the diagram exactly. thanks for the help.
posted by about_time at 1:28 PM on July 1, 2012
In any case, I bought more wire and I'm going to follow the diagram exactly. thanks for the help.
posted by about_time at 1:28 PM on July 1, 2012
The bulbs are symmetrical and can be switched, as can same-color connections. The ballast is not symmetrical and I have no idea what would happen if you fed power into the other end. I don't know how you would anyway, given that there are different numbers of wires. Maybe nothing at all, maybe something extremely dangerous.
I don't wanna sound harsh and I'm not totally sure I understand what you want to do, but you're dealing with extra dangerous amounts of current with a fluorescent ballast anyway. Like, you could get fried. So, if your understanding of electricity and wiring diagrams leads you to believe that what I think you propose to do is a good idea, then I'm asking you to call an electrician.
posted by cmoj at 1:30 PM on July 1, 2012
I don't wanna sound harsh and I'm not totally sure I understand what you want to do, but you're dealing with extra dangerous amounts of current with a fluorescent ballast anyway. Like, you could get fried. So, if your understanding of electricity and wiring diagrams leads you to believe that what I think you propose to do is a good idea, then I'm asking you to call an electrician.
posted by cmoj at 1:30 PM on July 1, 2012
Response by poster: Yes, thanks for the concern. I'm certainly not asking to change up the line into the ballast, just the bulbs.
posted by about_time at 1:35 PM on July 1, 2012
posted by about_time at 1:35 PM on July 1, 2012
Response by poster: Btw, it all works and I'm still alive. :)
posted by about_time at 2:29 PM on July 1, 2012
posted by about_time at 2:29 PM on July 1, 2012
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posted by about_time at 12:20 PM on July 1, 2012