Thanks for this video. I think you should have pointed out that older (pre-1979) ballasts could contain a highly toxic substance called PCB's. I just had a ballast fail on me in my apartment and this video showed me what to do. I noticed it leaking a black tar-like substance and with further investigation I discovered that my ballast was manufactured in 1974! So i may have been exposed to PCB's. Usually the EPA over states things and I hope this is indeed the case as well. Thanks again!
@EightCounts PCBs havent been in ballasts for a lot longer than that.
You need to worry more about being killed by not having a "Means of disconnect" according to NEC code. He fails to provide one. They cost a dollar each in 3-packs, a few cents in 500-packs. Little orange quick-disconnects.
@jayynecobb I was referencing the fact that in 1979 the EPA banned the use of PCB's. Before that, ballasts were manufactured with them. I am not sure what you are trying to clarify?
Imagine an unqualified person tries this at his/her shop on a 347 or 277 volt system. If the pen tester was to be defective, they could find themselves convulsing on the ground because they took your advice.
You out of all people know how hard it can be to identify and turn off the correct breaker, you think a home/small business owner knows any better??? Pen testers are a first line of defense at best. ALWAYS use proper test equipment, I've seen lives lost over tick testers.
@dirtydogF350EFI I agree, more electricians get killed this way than by any other work-related injury, even arc-flash.
Even worse: Turning off the breaker, then having someone else see the lights off, then turning it back on while you're working on it. Get a padlock and destroy all the keys but one, put that in your pocket & lock your breaker lid closed with a big damned note on it.
rapid start is magnetic ballast while new electronic is instant start that fluke is more than 20 bucks more like 25 best way not to get zapped whn changin a ballast is cut off the hot and cap it if anyone has any questions of how to change a ballast any kind or which one to use for a particular lamp send me a message i change any ballast from emergency ballast to magnetic hid ballast
@suzukir122 The ground wire is there to save your life.
If the fixture is ungrounded, and a wirenut comes off and touches the fixture, it cant blow the breaker. It will just energize the fixture. Next time you touch it to replace what you think is a burned out lamp or ballast...you visit the graveyard. Forever.
I been considering changing the ballasts on my lights in the garage, I will for now that I've seen it done by you. Another great informative video......keep em' coming.
Thanks for this video. I think you should have pointed out that older (pre-1979) ballasts could contain a highly toxic substance called PCB's. I just had a ballast fail on me in my apartment and this video showed me what to do. I noticed it leaking a black tar-like substance and with further investigation I discovered that my ballast was manufactured in 1974! So i may have been exposed to PCB's. Usually the EPA over states things and I hope this is indeed the case as well. Thanks again!
EightCounts 2 months ago
@EightCounts PCBs havent been in ballasts for a lot longer than that.
You need to worry more about being killed by not having a "Means of disconnect" according to NEC code. He fails to provide one. They cost a dollar each in 3-packs, a few cents in 500-packs. Little orange quick-disconnects.
jayynecobb 4 weeks ago
@jayynecobb I was referencing the fact that in 1979 the EPA banned the use of PCB's. Before that, ballasts were manufactured with them. I am not sure what you are trying to clarify?
EightCounts 4 weeks ago
Good job! One question, how do you remove the ballast and insert an LED driver?
juliuscesar2465 4 months ago
Imagine an unqualified person tries this at his/her shop on a 347 or 277 volt system. If the pen tester was to be defective, they could find themselves convulsing on the ground because they took your advice.
You out of all people know how hard it can be to identify and turn off the correct breaker, you think a home/small business owner knows any better??? Pen testers are a first line of defense at best. ALWAYS use proper test equipment, I've seen lives lost over tick testers.
dirtydogF350EFI 1 year ago
@dirtydogF350EFI I agree, more electricians get killed this way than by any other work-related injury, even arc-flash.
Even worse: Turning off the breaker, then having someone else see the lights off, then turning it back on while you're working on it. Get a padlock and destroy all the keys but one, put that in your pocket & lock your breaker lid closed with a big damned note on it.
jayynecobb 4 weeks ago
The Fluke is $21.89 through Amazon with free shipping if you are a Prime subscriber. It has a 4.5 out of 5 rating.
flspy 1 year ago
rapid start is magnetic ballast while new electronic is instant start that fluke is more than 20 bucks more like 25 best way not to get zapped whn changin a ballast is cut off the hot and cap it if anyone has any questions of how to change a ballast any kind or which one to use for a particular lamp send me a message i change any ballast from emergency ballast to magnetic hid ballast
elmasbuscado909 2 years ago
@elmasbuscado909 Most ballasts say right on the sticker how many lamps it will support, what wattage, and how many.
jayynecobb 4 weeks ago
Hmm... I've been told that the ground wire doesn't need to be there for rapid start fluorescent. I am replacing the electronic with rapid start.
suzukir122 2 years ago
@suzukir122 The ground wire is there to save your life.
If the fixture is ungrounded, and a wirenut comes off and touches the fixture, it cant blow the breaker. It will just energize the fixture. Next time you touch it to replace what you think is a burned out lamp or ballast...you visit the graveyard. Forever.
jayynecobb 4 weeks ago
lol one more thing, should I just disconnect the ground wire and leave
the ground screw in the fixture?
suzukir122 2 years ago
you should leave the ground wire connected. If you disconnected it yes you should leave the ground screw there.
ryanb788 2 years ago
cool man 10.10.10
lGaming 2 years ago
I been considering changing the ballasts on my lights in the garage, I will for now that I've seen it done by you. Another great informative video......keep em' coming.
iamtwisted1 2 years ago