Fluorescent light not lighting up / turning on

ken.yong

I have a new CFL lamp. I connect all the wires (black and white, the red and blue ones are already connected by default since the housing is new). My tester shows that electricity is going to the ballast via the black and white lines. When I use my tester to test the other end of the ballast (the red and blue lines), nothing is detected and the bulb does not light up.

I changed the bulb and still no light. Ordered a new ballast and changed it and still no light.

This CFL housing has no starter.

I am very puzzled. What went wrong?

frenchelectrican

What the ballast number is ??

Some of the CFL do have a starter inside the lamp base some don't so it depending on wattage and the pin arrangement.

Typically two pin CFL useally have starter in there while four pin base do not have any starter in the base.

Did you double check the wiring diagram to make sure the connection is correct and what the bulb you are using?

Merci,
Marc

__________________
The answer will be based on NEC ( National Electrical code ) or CEC ( Cananda Electrical code ) or ECF ( Electrique Code France )

ken.yong

My ballast is an electronic one. Does it make a difference in terms of having a starter?

Yes I checked my wiring and I got my bulb from a professional lighting shop by giving them the exact base no. The only thing that I did not connect is the bare wire.

Code05

What are you using to check voltage?

ken.yong

I think it is called a "Klein Tools Non-Contact Voltage Tester", Model # NCVT-1SEN.

frenchelectrican

I am on the same page as Code05 and what more that the electronic ballast on secondary side { red et bleu wires } the HZ reading will be way too high for standard DVM to catch it or read it.

And some ballast I know they have burnout bulb protecton so if that do have in there you have to install correct bulb and turn off the power then turn it back on then it should lit up properly.

For the connection on the sq tombstone it should be tight but excat location of connection will varies a bit depending on the type of lamp base pin location is.

Merci,
Marc

__________________
The answer will be based on NEC ( National Electrical code ) or CEC ( Cananda Electrical code ) or ECF ( Electrique Code France )

ken.yong

Thanks a lot guys! The problem is even if I don't use the tester and test it with a light bulb, the bulb does not light up. I got a new bulb from a professional lighting store so I am pretty confident I have the right bulb.

I am not sure what to do now...

frenchelectrican

You will need a real voltmeter not the NCV { Non contact voltage tester } to read to make sure you have good supply on both black and white conductor.

The voltmeter is not very expensive at all probly 15 Euros and up depending on how fancy you want to go. Many big box store will stock this item so you can not miss it.

Merci,
Marc

__________________
The answer will be based on NEC ( National Electrical code ) or CEC ( Cananda Electrical code ) or ECF ( Electrique Code France )

Code05

I am thinking I need to come up with a way to get these NCVTs banned.

ken.yong

I don't mind paying more to get the real voltmeter. The only problem is, I tried connecting the white and black wires of the fixture to an regular electric outlet which is known to be working properly (In fact, I tried several different outlets and the housing still did not work). I am not sure if getting a real voltmeter will help in this case.

Code05

Did you double check the connections, supply and the fixture?

ken.yong

I tried the manufacturer's replacement unit and same result. I am sure there is something wrong, just not sure what it is.

New bulb - checked
New ballast - checked
A new replacement unit - checked
No starter - checked
Electricity going in - checked
Correct wiring - checked

Very frustrated.

frenchelectrican

Avce que ?? voltmeter or NCV tester

some case you may have have a bad switch that can affect or loose connection somewhere.

What the voltage rating on the ballast and as I asked before please post the ballast number we can able tell you and what wattage the bulb as well so we can assit you to make sure you have matched set.

If you have 13 watter you will have to pay attetion if that is "preheat " or " rapid start or instat start there is couple verison of that so therefore that the main reason why I ask for ballast number cuz I will able determeted to see if that is a really matched set there or not.

Merci.
Marc

__________________
The answer will be based on NEC ( National Electrical code ) or CEC ( Cananda Electrical code ) or ECF ( Electrique Code France )

Code05

Ken, until we know there is a 120v at the fixture, we are spinning our wheels. Your NCVT is worthless here if it is giving a false reading or you have a bad neutral.