Richard D
Well-known member
I'm guessing bulbs should be replaced as soon as the ends get dark to avoid damage to the balasts?
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When to Replace Flourescent Bulbs?
- Thread starter Richard D
- Start date
As bulbs get older the lumen output drops. Just because the ends darken, is no reason to change them. In the simplest of terms, there is an electrode at either end of the bulb. When you turn them on, an arc jumps between the two electrodes and the gas in the lamp glows. That's why they get dark at the ends. They may still have half of their rated life left. If you change them, do it because the lumen output has dropped off or because they don't work anymore. Less for the landfill.
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I have never heard of a bad lamp damaging a ballast. The old magnetic ballasts lasted for up to 40 years in many cases. Electronic ballasts will not last as long. When was the last time you had an electronic device that gets used daily last even 20 years. It's the price we pay for energy efficiency.