Why do fluorescent lights not work in cold weather?

Many fluorescent lights can’t operate if the air temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not always due to the lights themselves but instead often has to do with the type of ballast used in the light fixture. Magnetic ballasts don’t work in cold temperatures.

Why do my fluorescent lights only work sometimes?





The starter is responsible for the momentary delay in lighting when some fluorescent tubes are switched on. If it is faulty, it can also be the cause of initial flickering as the tube warms up, or of failure to light at all.
22 сент. 1988

Why do my fluorescent lights not come on sometimes?

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. When all else fails, the ballast should be replaced.

Why don’t my fluorescent lights work when it’s humid?

Fluorescent bulbs use a hermetic seal, which means no humidity will penetrate the bulb itself. This seal is necessary to keep the toxic mercury vapor from leaking out into the environment. Humidity can cause corrosion of the metal fixtures on the ends of a fluorescent bulb, impeding its ability to transmit electricity.

Are fluorescent lights affected by temperature?

Performance characteristics of high-wattage compact fluorescent lamps (HW-CFL) will be affected by lamp base position and by operation in cold or hot environments. Temperature impacts both short-term and long-term performance.

Does weather Affect fluorescent lights?





Temperature: fluorescent lamp starting and light output are affected by surrounding air temperature. Most ballasts will start standard lamps down to 50°F. Special electromagnetic ballasts for standard rapid start lamps will start lamps down to 0°F.

How can you tell if a fluorescent light 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 are the two common possible causes of all common faults in fluorescent lamp fixtures?

Common Faults and Treatment Methods of Fluorescent Lamp

Type of Fault Reasons of Fault
Fluorescent lamp blinking ON and OFF Loose contacts. Wrong circuit connections. Low supply voltage Defective starter. Defective fluorescent tube.

How do you check a ballast?

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.

Does cold affect lights?



Generally speaking, the cooler the environment, the greater an LED’s light output. This quality means that LED lighting actually performs well in cold temperatures. In fact, these lights will turn on instantly in cold temperatures, as the cold does not affect them.

Does cold affect light bulbs?

Cold weather tends to wear on electric and traditional bulbs, especially when they’re directly exposed to cold weather. This includes external fixtures, like streetlights, decorative, and security lighting. Their excess emission of heat causes them to burst due to the drop in temperature.

Why does my fluorescent light take so long to come on?

Some older lights may contain a module called a starter. This unit sends a surge of current to the tube when the light first turns on. Over time, the starter can wear down and ultimately take longer to do its job. Lights that take a long time to come on or flicker on and off without starting are common symptoms.

How long does a ballast typically last?



12 to 15 years

According to the Certified Ballast Manufacturers Association, the average magnetic ballast lasts about 75,000 hours, or 12 to 15 years with normal use.

How much is it to replace a ballast?

A replacement ballast costs about $10-25 depending on capacity and brand. The bite is that an electrician trip charge (which includes 30 or 60 minutes work) is going to be $75-150 probably – for about 5 minutes work on each light fixture.

Do fluorescent light fixtures go bad?

Fluorescent light bulbs have a typical lifespan of 8,000 to 15,000 hours, and ballasts often work for more than 50,000 hours. Fixtures made since at least the year 2000 generally do not have a starter, just a ballast.