Fluorescent lighting is one of the most popular lights installed in new homes and remodeling projects. Fluorescent lights have a longer lifespan, produce less heat than incandescent bulbs, and save on energy consumption making them a popular appliance for today’s homes. But sometimes a fluorescent light bulb holder will wear out and needs to be replaced. You absolutely need to know which type of holder is required for the installed light.
There are many different types of fluorescent lighting. They all fall into one of three categories: preheat, rapid start, and instant start. In all cases, the correct socket or holder must be used when repairing the unit. A lamp using the incorrect fluorescent light bulb holder can cause damage to the lamp housing, the electrical box, and even to the home.
Fluorescent sockets are available in medium and tall profiles. They are also grouped into shunted or non-shunted sockets.
Non-shunted sockets have two separate points of entry for the wires and are used with programmed-start ballasts. This creates two tracks for the electrical current to travel.
Shunted sockets connect two ends on a circuit with a conductor and are used with instant-start ballasts and use a single track for the electrical current. The electrical current to travels from the ballast through the socket to the lamp pins.
Visually inspecting the socket is typically the only way to identify if it is shunted or non-shunted. Some can be identified by the number of wires going into the base of the socket. However, to correctly identify which socket is required, test the socket using a voltage meter.
Knowing which replacement fluorescent light bulb holder to use is important. Before replacing the socket take proper safety precautions. Turn the power off at the breaker box and use a voltage meter to ensure the circuit is terminated.