How do you bypass a T12 ballast?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: First disconnect the hot neutral. And ground wires that are connected to the ballast. Then cut all the wires leading from the ballast to the lamp sockets. Be sure to cut them close to the ballast.

Can you bypass ballast for LED lights?

Since LED lights work on low DC voltage, they need a driver. Most T8 LED tubes do not need a ballast. So, if you are going to install a T8 LED tube light, it will require a ballast bypass unless you choose a ballast compatible T8 LED tube.

What happens if you bypass a ballast?

The most significant negative to a ballast-bypass linear LED is the risk of electric shock since the sockets carry line voltage. It’s a common practice to place a finger on the lamp pins while you are trying to install it, and this becomes a risky endeavor when using single-ended ballast-bypass lamps .

How do you bypass a ballast to install LED tubes in a fluorescent light?

How to Bypass A Ballast

  1. Step 1: Disconnect All Power So There is No Electrical Current. …
  2. Step 2: Find the Ballast. …
  3. Step 3: Locate and Cut Only the Hot and Neutral Wires. …
  4. Step 4: Cut the Socket Lead Wires. …
  5. Step 5: Remove the Ballast (if you wish) …
  6. Step 6: Connect the Wires. …
  7. Step 7: Reattach Any Coverings and Turn On.


How do you bypass a ballast on a light fixture?

How to Bypass a Ballast

  1. Turn off the power. Flipping the light switch to the “off” position does not necessarily end the flow of electricity. …
  2. Locate your ballast. …
  3. Cut the hot and neutral wires. …
  4. Cut the socket lead wires. …
  5. Remove the ballast. …
  6. Connect the input wires to the output wires.


What are ballast bypass LED tubes?

2. Ballast-bypass, line voltage, or direct wire linear LED (UL type B) Bypass the ballast linear LEDs – also known as line voltage or direct-wire linear LEDs – work straight off the line voltage flowing directly to the sockets, requiring you to remove the original fluorescent ballast. Jump ahead to pros and cons.

Will ballast compatible LED tubes work without a ballast?

The T8 LED tube won’t work without the ballast, so you are forced to continue buying and replacing ballasts as long as you have an LED tube that is ONLY ballast dependent.

Will LED tubes work in fluorescent fixtures?

Retrofit LED Tubes



“Retrofit” tubes work with all fluorescent fixtures as well as ballast-free LED fixtures. To use them with your existing fluorescent fixtures, you’ll need to take just a few minutes to rewire the fixture to bypass the balast.

How do I wire a ballast free LED bulb?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You'll need a multimeter to test continuity a beep indicates continuity shunted sockets have continuity 40 led ballast bypass lamps we need non shunted sockets with no continuity.

Can a fluorescent light work without a ballast?

In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw.

Can a Type A LED tube be used without a ballast?

The short answer is you need to rewire your fixture.



Hybrid LED tubes will work with or without a ballast. Hybrids are commonly installed in fixtures with ballasts, operating as plug and play LEDs until the ballast’s lifespan has ended.

What are the yellow wires on a ballast?

The common yellow wires connect from the ballast to push-in connectors on one of the right holders of lamp 1 or 2. Two yellow wires connect the common lampholders together.

What are the black and white wires on a ballast?

Black wire is for line voltage and white wire for neutral. An instant start ballast uses a single wire which connects from the ballast to each of the lamp terminals.

What are the red and blue wires on a ballast?

The ballast has a hot and neutral wire at one end to receive power, and two blue wires a red one at the other end to supply power to the lights.

What are the blue wires on a ballast?

The ballast has a hot and neutral wire at one end to receive power, and two blue wires a red one at the other end to supply power to the lights.

How many wires are in a ballast?

Wires on the Replacement Ballast / Transformer



The replacement ballast provides 5 wires: black, white, blue, blue (equivalent) and red. Incoming electrical power at the fixture connects to the line BLACK and WHITE wires shown on the diagram.

How do you wire a ballast with two blue wires?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Because you've got two Reds you know blue red whatever. But you're going to take these two reds. And just wire nut it into the other. Blue. So just to recap you can take the two yellow.

How do I test a ballast with a multimeter?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Your other test lead to the wires. And see if your meter still reads open line it should read open line open line if you have an analog meter it should not move.

How do I know if my T12 ballast is bad?

If your fluorescent lighting is displaying any of the signs below, it could be a symptom of a bad ballast:

  1. Flickering. …
  2. Buzzing. …
  3. Delayed start. …
  4. Low output. …
  5. Inconsistent lighting levels. …
  6. Switch to an electronic ballast, keep lamp. …
  7. Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to a T8 fluorescent.

What is the output voltage of a T12 ballast?

It can be used for many 1 and 2 tube T12 fluorescent tubes. This ballast takes a line voltage of 120 volts and converts it to the proper operating voltage for the lamps.