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How to Fix Fluorescent Light Humming  
HOW TO 

Tags: Fluorescent Lights, Fluorescent Light Probelms, Flouorescent Light Repairs

hmmmm, what's that sound above my head? Here is how to fix the annoying fluorescent light hum:

1.	Buy a new electronic ballast suitable for the wattage of your lamp.
2.	Unplug the unit. If it is permanently connected to power, shut off the breaker. Do not disassemble the unit without disconnecting power.
3.	Remove fluorescent tube. Don't break it!
4.	Remove cover plate. There are usually 2 or 4 screws. Don't lose the screws! Sometimes the cover can be squeezed to release it from the tabs holding it in.
5.	Remove ballast. It is a heavy metal thing about 10 inches by 3 inches by 2 inches with several wires coming out of it. It is usually held in by 2 or 4 screws or 1 or 2 nuts. Newer ones only have one. Disconnect wires from power connection and from the contacts at the ends of the unit. Some units you cannot unwire, you'll have to cut the wires and use wire nuts for re-assembly. Throw away the ballast. Keep the screws and wire nuts, if any. (Caution: If the power has been on the light, the ballast could be very hot.)
6.	If there is a starter (a small aluminum can with contacts on the bottom), remove it and the socket that holds it. Throw away starter & socket.
7.	Screw new electronic (not electromagnetic) ballast to holes inside the unit.
8.	Using screws and/or wire nuts, connect wires as shown on the diagram that comes with new ballast. Be sure you've connected the color-coded wires to the proper terminals and to the power connection. Check it again. You really want to get this right the first time.
9.	Replace cover.
10.	Replace tube.
11.	Plug in or switch breaker on.

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