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Installing Fluorescent Lights

Fluorescent lights have enjoyed an increase in popularity recently with good reason -- they use less power and provide the same amount of light as incandescents. Fluorescent lights provide light without the creation of heat, and are thus more energy efficient. They generally last longer as well, but over time, they will need to be replaced. Although they may not look as familiar as standard light bulbs, they can be even easier to install. How many people does it take to change a light bulb? Just you.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Ladder
  • Fluorescent light bulb tube
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the length between the two contact points on the fluorescent light fixture. If an expired bulb remains in the socket, put it aside carefully and replace with a new bulb of the same dimensions. Fluorescent bulbs are measured by diameter and length. Diameter is measured in eighths of an inch, such as a 1-inch-wide bulb would be called a T8. Widths range from T2 to T17. If you removed a bulb from the socket, look for a code on one end of the tubular bulb. For example: F32T8, where F stands for Fluorescent, 32 is the Wattage, and T8 is the diameter in eighths of an inch.

    • 2

      Find the label on the light fixture, near the ballast, which will explain the wattage and size of bulb to be used in it. The ballast can be identified as a small box or round transformer unit which is often attached to the fixture by either a screw-in mechanism, or push/pulled into position. This label will tell you the code of the bulb which should be used in this fixture.

    • 3

      Purchase the required bulb at your local home supply store, taking care to handle the bulb carefully as they are quite fragile.

    • 4

      Align the two pins on either end of the bulb with a slot on either end of the light fixture sockets. Slide the bulb upward into these slots.

    • 5

      Turn the bulb to lock it into place and align the contact points on the bulb with the contacts in the sockets. The orientation of the two pins does not matter.

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Lighting
  1. Cost of Operating a Fluorescent Light Fixture
  2. The Fluorescent Lights Required for Room Sizes
  3. Why Do My New Fluorescent Lights Seem to Flicker?
  4. How to Solve Fluorescent Light Glare
  5. Output Watts of Compact Fluorescent Vs. Incandescent Lights
  6. How to Make Fluorescent Light More Attractive
  7. How to Dispose of Four-Foot Fluorescent Lights
  8. Two Elements Used in Fluorescent Lights
  9. What Effects Do Fluorescent Lights Have on Color?
  10. Fluorescent Light Components
  11. How to Fix Fluorescent Lights
  12. Why Compact Fluorescent Lights Won't Stop Flickering

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