how to tell if a fluorescent bulb is blown

Install a new ballast, if necessary. Place the probes on both pins of the tube light to get an accurate reading. Check the ends of the tube. When light bulbs shatter as the failure mode then there has probably been a power surge. If the breaker has been tripped, push the switch entirely to the off position, and flip the switch back on. If there is no reading on the multimeter, the bulbs should be replaced. If testing tube lights, be sure to test both bulbs even if only one is out. Unlike fluorescent tubes, LEDs don’t require a ballast to regulate current. Note the wattage of the bulb to ensure the correct starter is purchased. Flip the switch and wait a few seconds. Remove the bulb from the fixture if the bulb is still not illuminating. Simply look at the filament to see if it is broken, or give the bulb a gentle shake to listen for the familiar "tinkle tinkle" of the broken filament in the bulb. Before going out to purchase a new bulb, ensure the bulb is the main problem. Bring the bulb vent close to your nose and smell. If they appear darkened this indicates the bulb is burned out. When all else fails, the ballast should be replaced. For retrofit LED tubes, you'll be re-wiring your fixture to bypass the existing ballast, and just how that re- Check your circuit breaker box and confirm that the corresponding breaker is firmly in the "on" position. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Another common … If there is no reading on the multimeter, the bulbs should be replaced. Make sure the lamp is plugged into a functioning electrical outlet, and then check for damage to the bulb itself. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Rotate the tube in the fixture if the bulb is not darkened on either end. Replace the ballast cover on the fluorescent light fixture. I just replaced the ceiling lights in our kitchen -- 65W standard bulbs replaced by 9W LEDs. And just to be thorough, you've also checked the main service panel for a tripped breaker or a blown fuse. When all else fails, the ballast should be replaced. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1988-09-23/entertainment/8802010971_1_tube-fluorescent-sockets, https://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infelectrical/inffluor.html, https://sciencing.com/why-do-fluorescent-lights-flicker-5031263.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Flip the switch and wait a few seconds. Check the ends of the tube. Fluorescent tubes are filled with mercury gas and can shatter into very small pieces. How do you easily tell if a CFL bulb is bad? Last Updated: March 29, 2019 Check if the bulb is working in another lamp; 5. You must test the fluorescent bulb before considering a replacement. Scrub the rust and the dust at the holders; 6. If the darkness only forms on one end of a tube light, flip the tube so the darkened end is on the opposite side of the fixture. Lamp Type. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Luther College and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Idaho, both in stage design and painting. Other Problems That Can Be Identified and Fixed with The Above Checks Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Bulb vs Lamp. If so, replace the bulb. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. When using direct fit LEDs, the ballast is still using energy and eating into your possible energy savings. Bulbs are the most common problem with a bad fluorescent fixture. Look for dark areas at the base of the bulb. When a fluorescent tube burns out, a black spot appears on the inside of the bulb over one of its electrodes near one end of the tube. Set your multimeter to test the resistance between the two pins A dead fluorescent can be caused by lack of electrical power (tripped breaker or blown fuse), a dead or dying ballast, a dead starter or a dead bulb(s). Time will tell. Before removing a broken bulb from a socket, power to the bulb needs to be turned off. All of these lamps use the same technology as linear fluorescent tubes but are wrapped into shapes which make them more suitable for smaller spaces. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. A dead fluorescent can be caused by lack of electrical power (tripped breaker or blown fuse), a dead or dying ballast, a dead starter or a dead bulb(s). Her theatrical designs, puppet design and construction have been featured in "Theatre Design & Technology" magazine and she has written numerous articles for various websites. Checking a common light bulb using a multimeter on the ohm scale. What do you do next? When bulbs age and have been used for a long time, brown spots will appear. You can easily tell if a fluorescent bulb is burned or not. Step 3. Testing to see if it is good or bad. If there is significant yellowed staining of the plastic at the vent where the two glass tubes enter the base then the bulb has blown. A bulb/lamp that blows the filament due to a short (such as caused by moisture) will have much more noticeable black scorch inside the quartz lamp near the blown filament. In some cases, it is possible to "blow" a new bulb/lamp when an older bulb that requires much less energy to fire, does not "blow". In that case it would be more appropriate to say the bulb has blown. Tubes can fall out of a fixture if not properly installed. If the bulb still does not light, the gas may have leaked out and the bulb will need to be replaced. It's generally easy to tell when an incandescent bulb has burned out. With a CFL, is there any way to tell if a bulb is bad without plugging it into a socket and trying it out? You will usually … Inspect the bulb and replace it if you see burned or blackened spots. Regardless of whether you're looking to use retrofit or ballast compatible LED tubes in your existing fluorescent fixtures, you'll need to know what kind of ballast your fixture has. Sometimes bulbs "unscrew" themselves or become rotated enough for the electricity not to flow correctly over the end pins. Be careful handling a fluorescent tube. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, The Natural Handyman: Repairing and Troubleshooting Fluorescent Fixtures and Tubes, United Nations Environment Programme: Reducintg RIsk From Mercury. Knowing the type of fluorescent light you will use with your ballast is a good start to your search. By using our site, you agree to our. If there are black rings in the glass nearest the plastic body then the bulb has blown. Step 2. Currents travel between both tubes and either could be causing the problem. For tips on replacing the starter bulb, read on! Using a digital multimeter to test the bulb; 1. Step 1. Change out the fluorescent bulb with a new one. Replace it with a fresh one. Check to see if the bulb is tight in the socket. In incandescent bulbs, you can shake the bulb or look at the filament to tell if a bulb is dead without having to put it in a socket. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 52,369 times. On this site, we will refer to the fluorescent lights as lamps. For tips on replacing the starter bulb, read on! Sometimes light bulbs do shatter when they fail. Check the light bulb first to see if it has burned out. If you’re armed with a tape measure, here’s a table to show you how to interoperate the length and diameter of your … Step 2. Turn the fluorescent bulb clockwise to see if it's firmly seated in the socket. How to Tell If Fluorescent Bulbs Are Blown? % of people told us that this article helped them. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. If that happens, the Environment Protection Agency recommends airing out the location of the breakage, then picking up the pieces with a damp paper cloth. If it does not illuminate, the bulb is burned out. If darkness forms on one side of the tube, rotate the tube by 180 degrees from how it used to sit. Let’s show you how to tell if a fluorescent bulb is bad. If your fluorescent tubes have recently fizzled out – don’t panic. Many of us don’t pay attention to our light bulbs until they burn out and when they do, it can be difficult to know exactly which size, shape or style you need to replace the bulb in your fitting exactly. Fluorescent light bulbs typically last many years, but when one flickers on and off, or the end turns light gray to black in color, you'll just need replacement light bulbs. Old starters look no different than new starters, so throw away any starters that have gone bad. If darkness begins to form at the ends of the tube, the bulb may be near its end. Turn the fluorescent bulb clockwise to see if it's firmly seated in the socket. Confirm that its not the circuit breaker that has tripped; 2. The pieces must be sealed in a plastic bag then thrown away. If you are installing a tube-style fluorescent bulb, be sure the pins on each end are in contact with the ballast's socket. Install … This article has been viewed 52,369 times. When working with electronics, make sure the power source is off to avoid electric shock. If it has a distinct odour of burnt electronics, then the bulb has blown. A dead fluorescent can be caused by lack of electrical power (tripped breaker or blown fuse), a dead or dying ballast, a dead starter or a dead bulb (s). Check for power first then the starter (if applicable) and then the bulbs. LEDS in and of themselves are much more efficient than fluorescent bulbs. The constant on-off flow of electricity can sometimes loosen a light bulb in the socket. Gabrielle Black has been a professional writer, artist and designer since 2002. I don't have a lot of faith in the $10-tier LED replacement "tubes", and their CRI is not up to where real fluorescent tubes are. It’s light's out, and you've already determined that a burned-out bulb isn't the culprit. References. Only use lightbulbs that are the proper style and voltage rating for your ballast. There are some usual reasons a bulb can go bad, and we can do some quick checks to find out if it’s fixable or a replacement is necessary. You can also use a multimeter to determine if the electrodes still hold conductivity. And they're just as bright, if not brighter. Make sure the power is turned off to avoid any electrical damage. Light bulb manufacturers use the term “lamp” when referring to fluorescent lights. Always buy quality brands if you value your time. Electricians usually refer to a light bulb as a lamp. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. According to our privacy policy for your ballast that are the proper style voltage. Applicable ) and then the starter ( if applicable ) and then check for damage to the bulb the... Energy savings a fluorescent bulb can be Identified and Fixed with the suspect ballast, starter, fixture! Properly installed Above Checks you can also use a multimeter to determine if the bulb needs to be turned.. Wearing out and will die soon power is actually getting to the light manufacturers! 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