fixture and bulb cause humming?

[becket]

I don't want any noise from my lights. Can I buy the HD fixtures (2-bulbX4'), then buy the proper upscale bulbs, to eliminate hum; or does the fixture cause hum also? i read here something about HD doesn't carry commercial fixtures, is there a noise factor eliminated with the commercial fixture, or was that referencing the bulbs? Hep-me please!

[Torque1st]

It has been my experience that the humming came from the old-style magnetic ballasts and sometimes resonance from the magnetic field and sheet metal in the fixture. Personally I have never had any hum from the bulbs in normal operation. A burned out bulb or a very cold bulb constantly trying to start or electronic ballasts can hum especially in the cold.

[Aceman]

The old magnetic ballasts hummed, the new electronics don't.

But, they're seem to be quite a few complaints on here, if you search, about radio static with some lights. Personally, I believe it's due to buying lights with lower quality ballasts which appear to be coming from HD, Lowes, etc. When I buy lights I go to an electrical supply house, I don't care if it might cost a little more, if it buys me a better ballast.

[kbs2244]

I haven't had hum problems with the new ballests.

The radio static comes at start up as the bulbs warm up.
It lasts longer a lower temp amd with cheap ballests, but even the best will do it for a little while.
Even in worst cases it is over in a few min.

[fotoflojoe]

In my 20x24 shop, I just replaced two very old 8' T-12 fixtures with 12 of these (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100543144&N=10000003+90039). I used these (http://contractorservices.homedepot.com/StoreProducts/ProductInfo.aspx?cid=851907&pid=7d620767-06ae-4760-89df-a737a8721802) bulbs.

The lights are silent. It is also brighter than the sun in my shop now :thumbup:

Can't speak to the possibility of RF interference yet. Though I will say my cell phone has decent reception in there - no worse than anywhere else on my property.

[bomber]

Foto -- you're links go to no where, sir -- any chance of some data?

[fotoflojoe]

Foto -- you're links go to no where, sir -- any chance of some data?

Really? that's strange, links work for me.

Maybe I'm special. :lol_hitti

Anyway, here's what I used for new overheads:

Fixtures: 12 Lithonia 4' two-lamp T8 fluorescent strips. model C232120 GESB, $26.45 from Home Depot.
Even though they're still on the website, HD may be phasing these out for something else. When I bought them, I cleaned the place out - I actually wanted 16, but they only had 12. That was a couple months ago, and stock still hasn't been replenished.

Bulbs: Philips F32T8 cool white bulbs.
I'll tell you what, after years of dealing with handling 8' bulbs, four-footers sure are convenient!

The difference in brightness between old and new lights is really dramatic. It's now very bright in my shop, and I haven't even painted the walls yet!

[benvila]

The difference in brightness between old and new lights is really dramatic. It's now very bright in my shop, and I haven't even painted the walls yet!

lumen depreciation is a problem once lamps (light bulbs) reach their rated life. some lamps will continue to burn, but produce maybe 30% of their initial output. most large retailers relamp a store every 18 months to two years, 1 - because it's cheaper than have a guy run around changing lamps all day, every day and 2 - the light levels stay consistent.

Ben

[chrisrozz]

thanks for the question Becket, I was gonna ask that soon.