Two wires attach to each socket on a fluorescent fixture to provide the electricity necessary to cause the gas inside of a fluorescent tube to glow. The sockets on fluorescent fixtures are shaped eerily like tombstones, so they are often referred to as such. When a tombstone becomes damaged, it can no longer provide the proper electrical connection to light the tube. In some cases, one damaged tombstone could cause the entire fixture to fail. Replace the tombstone in the fluorescent light fixture so your fluorescent tubes glow once again.
Turn off the circuit breaker to the fluorescent light fixture. Turn off the wall switch that operates the fluorescent fixture.
Remove the lens cover from the fixture to access the fluorescent tubes. Some models have a plastic cover that wraps around the fixture. Grasp the wrap-around lens cover close to the ceiling and unhook it from one side of the fixture, releasing it. Flat acrylic lens covers can attach to the fixture with screws, slide into a groove in the fixture or require pushing up on the cover to tilt it out of the fixture.
Twist the fluorescent tubes to release them from the tombstones. Carefully set the tubes aside. Fluorescent tubes are filled with gas and a small amount of mercury. If one should accidentally hit against another object, it could shatter into several pieces.
Hold a noncontact voltage detector next to the tombstones. If an electrical current is still present in the fluorescent fixture, the detector will flash and sound an audible alarm.
Remove the metal ballast cover from the center of the fixture. This metal cover is held by one or two screws, or it slides into slots cut into the fixture. Removing the ballast cover allows you to access the tombstones and the wiring.
Look at how the damaged tombstone attaches to the end of the fixture. Some tombstones attach to the fixture with a screw, while others snap into notches cut into the metal on the fixture. Remove the screw or pull the damaged tombstone from the end of the fixture.
Straighten a large, heavy-duty paper clip. Insert the paper clip into the damaged tombstone next to one of the two tombstone wires. The paper clip opens the tension spring connector inside the tombstone and allows you to pull out the wire. Repeat this for the remaining wire attached to the tombstone.
Insert the paper clip into the wire hole on the replacement tombstone. Push the fluorescent fixture wire into the tombstone next to the paper clip. When you remove the paper clip, it allows the tension spring connector to clamp onto the fixture wire. Repeat this for the remaining fluorescent fixture wire.
Connect the tombstone to the end of the fluorescent fixture by reversing the steps you used in removing it. Replace the ballast cover. Reinstall the fluorescent tubes and replace the fluorescent fixture lens cover.
Turn on the fluorescent fixture wall switch. Turn on the circuit breaker to supply electricity to the fluorescent fixture.
Things You Will Need
- Noncontact voltage detector
- Large, heavy-duty paper clip
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