Flickering and buzzing ceiling lights?
I bought a new house and one ceiling light blinks and buzzes and sounds almost dangerous so I don’t use it. Another flickers and takes a few seconds to come on but otherwise is OK. Are these potentially dangerous? Is it most likely wiring or the fixture itself?
If it is a ballast problem, should I and can I easily replace it? It’s in my daughter’s room and sounds awful.
Tagged with: ballast • ceiling light • flickers
Filed under: ceiling lights
If it blinks, try changing the flouresent bulb first; look to see if one or both of the ends of the bulb are black, also. If it is buzzing, it is most likely a bad ballast, but if it smells terrible, or is dripping dark "goo", it is the ballast. It can easily be replaced, but TURN OFF ANY AND ALL POWER SOURCES!!!!! CHECK TO BE SURE THERE IS NO VOLTAGE AT THE WIRES. Install it in reverse of how you took it out. If you are not comfotable doing this, get someone who knows how to do it.
First off, they sound like florescent lights. Depending on the type, some have a "starter" type fuse that starts the light, these will buzz, after a bit, when they are starting to fail they may well start buzzing a a lot. Have you tried changing the bulbs? If that doesn’t help a new fixture may be in order.
First put new bulbs in them. If it continues it is probably the wiring.
That sounds like fluorescent in which case what you have is probably normal. Some flourscents use a ballast that often humms and some have a delay before they come on.
If it is flor. lights then it might br starter and you can replace it easily.
If it is bulb then I may be overload.