Home > Lighting Fixtures Information > Lighting Fixtures Questions > Trouble Wiring Fluorescent Light Fixtures?

Trouble Wiring Fluorescent Light Fixtures?

Need to install 2 fluorescent light fixtures on circuit controlled by wall switch. Each fixture has a separate ballast and 1 30w tube. Tried wiring the 2 fixtures in parallel (not in series) but tripped breaker each attempt; ensured that black wires were wired to black, and white to white; puzzled why this will not work; any electrician who can offer some explanation, solution, etc? Problem seems to defy the principles of basic home wiring??

Public Comments

  1. It is hard to say without seeing what you are doing but lets cover the basics: 1. you said your ballasts are parallel and that would be right. 2. Check your ballasts incoming and output ratings to make sure that is correct. 3. Follow the wires back to the tombstones (where the prongs go) make sure you didn't get any wires switched. 4. If all else fails, rip out the wiring in the fixture and wire it exactly as pictured on the ballast. 5. Don't let it beat you, it's only a lighting circuit.
  2. Mollie is correct but if you still can't get it send a simple drawing of what you are doing and maybe we can help. Are the fixtures new? or did someone give you some used ones. Double check also that theres no threads of bare wire peeking out somewhere inside where the ballist is. Can also try installing them one at a time to see if you are doing it correctly and that one of them is not defective and thatnothing else is wrong with your wiring .
  3. DO YOU KNOW WHAT A SWITCH LOOP IS? IF SO THAT ISNT THE PROBLEM. IF NOT, IT MAY BE THE PROBLEM. DOUBLE CHECK THE WIRING IN THE SWITCH. YOU MAY BE DOUBLE FEEDING THE CIRCUIT OR CROSSING THE NEUTRAL AND HOT EVEN THOUGH THE WIRES MATCH COLORS.