- Tube Light Connection Definition: A tube light connection involves wiring various components like chokes, starters, and switches to ensure proper operation.
- Electromagnetic Ballast Setup: The electromagnetic ballast requires precise wiring of neutral and live wires, choke, and starter to operate the tube light.
- Electronic Ballast Setup: The electronic ballast simplifies the wiring process by eliminating the starter and using distinct input and output ports.
- Wiring Diagram Importance: Wiring diagrams use symbols to show the connections needed for installing tube lights, helping in proper setup and troubleshooting.
- Voltage Characteristics in Electronic Ballast: Electronic ballasts start with a high voltage to ignite the tube light, then stabilize to a lower operational voltage.
Required Wiring Components
A tube light must not be connected directly to the mains supply. A fluorescent lamp needs control gear that matches the lamp rating, supply voltage and frequency. For the 230 V, 50 Hz single-lamp examples on this page, the required parts are:
- A correctly rated choke and starter, or a compatible electronic ballast
- A glow starter for the conventional choke-ballast circuit
- A suitably rated switch
- Suitable insulated wire, terminals, lampholders and an earthed fitting where required
Mains wiring can cause fatal electric shock or fire. A qualified person should isolate and secure the supply, verify that the circuit is de-energised with suitable test equipment, follow local wiring rules and use the diagram supplied with the exact ballast. Also follow the applicable electrical safety precautions.
Wiring Diagram of Single Tube Light Installation with Electromagnetic Ballast
This example uses standard electrical symbols to show a single preheat fluorescent lamp with a choke ballast and glow starter:
How to Install a Single Tube Light with Electromagnetic Ballast
- For the diagram shown, the neutral conductor from the junction box goes directly to port 2 of the fitting. A conductor then links port 2 to pin 1 of terminal 2.
- The live conductor goes to one side of the switch. The switched live returns from the other side of the switch to port 1 of the fitting.
- The choke ballast is connected in series between port 1 and pin 1 of terminal 1. Use a ballast rated for the lamp, mains voltage and frequency.
- The glow starter connects between pin 2 of terminal 1 and pin 2 of terminal 2. This completes the preheat and ignition path shown in the diagram.
Wiring Diagram of Single Tube Light Installation with Electronic Ballast
How to Install a Single Tube Light with an Electronic Ballast
- The electronic-ballast example does not use a separate glow starter. Starting and lamp-current control occur inside the ballast.
- The ballast shown has two mains-input terminals and four lamp-output terminals. Terminal numbering is not universal, so use these steps only with the matching diagram and ballast.
- For this diagram, the neutral conductor connects to input port 2 of the electronic ballast.
- The live conductor goes to one side of the switch. The switched live connects to input port 1 of the electronic ballast.
- Wire colours are examples only. Identify every conductor by the terminal marking and the ballast manufacturer’s diagram.
- For the ballast shown, output ports 3 and 4 connect to the two pins of terminal 1.
- Output ports 5 and 6 connect to the two pins of terminal 2. Do not energise the fitting until all covers, earthing connections and strain restraints are in place.
[NB: An electronic ballast accepts its rated mains voltage at the input and supplies the starting and running conditions required by the lamp. Electronic fluorescent ballasts commonly operate the lamp above 20 kHz and can produce a hazardous starting voltage. Use the exact ballast label or data sheet for terminal connections and ratings.]
