Are fluorescent lights temperature sensitive?

Are fluorescent lights temperature sensitive?

The starting and light output of fluorescent T12 lamps is very sensitive to ambient temperature. The colder the ambient temperature, the lower the light output (at 20°F the lamp will be at approximately 60% light/UV output).

Why do fluorescent lights not work in damp weather?

Fluorescent bulbs use a hermetic seal, which means no humidity will penetrate the bulb itself. This seal is necessary to keep the toxic mercury vapor from leaking out into the environment. Humidity can cause corrosion of the metal fixtures on the ends of a fluorescent bulb, impeding its ability to transmit electricity.

Do fluorescent tube lights need to warm up?

All compact fluorescent lamps require a slight warm-up time for the electrical current to fully heat the cathodes and reach their full lumen output. Covered CFLs typically have longer warm-up times – up to three minutes – because they have amalgam.

What causes fluorescent lights to not come on?

The fluorescent tube won’t turn on No electrical power due to a tripped breaker or blown fuse. A dead or dying ballast. A dead starter. A dead bulb.

Why do fluorescent lights flicker when cold?

Flickering fluorescent lights can also be a result of temperature. If the air around the bulb is cold and circulating, the bulb won’t be able to generate enough heat to work properly. If the air around the bulb is too cold, you can use an enclosed light fixture to help insulate the bulb.

Do LED fluorescent lights work in cold?

In comparison to fluorescent bulbs, we already know that LED lights are energy and cost-efficient contributing to its popularity. They do not emit heat like other electric bulbs do and hence able to easily withstand harsh transitions between cold and hot.

How do I know if my fluorescent starter is bad?

Return fluorescent bulbs to the socket if they were removed to reach the starter. Turn on the switch. If the light comes on and doesn’t flicker continuously, the starter was the problem. If the fixture doesn’t light or continues to flicker, the problem lies elsewhere.

How do you make fluorescent lights warmer?

Simply insert gel media sheets inside the fixture cover lens. Gel media is a paper-thin plastic product impregnated with color, available in hundreds of colors and textures. An amber or sunny yellow color can create the warmth you want.

Does cold affect fluorescent lights?

Temperature Range Many fluorescent lights can’t operate if the air temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not always due to the lights themselves but instead often has to do with the type of ballast used in the light fixture. Magnetic ballasts don’t work in cold temperatures.

Can a fluorescent light work in cold weather?

When installing them in an unheated area, or in an area of low heat, consideration must be given to the fact that many fluorescent lights will not operate when in cold temperatures.

Can a magnetic light bulb work in cold weather?

Magnetic ballasts don’t work in cold temperatures. Electronic ballasts, however, can operate when the air is quite cold and are often rated to work at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Some will even work below 0 degrees.

Can you use fluorescent lights in a cold garage?

If the fixture label doesn’t read that the ballast is suitable for cold temperatures, it most likely is not and should be avoided for use in a cold garage. Two of the most common sizes of fluorescent lighting tubes available for home use are T8 and T12.

Why does my light ballast not turn on?

One clue that your ballast is the reason for a non-working fluorescent light is the light bulbs struggle to turn on. As I said in the intro, we noticed this happening over a 3-4 week period. A good way to check that your ballast is the culprit is to turn on a voltage detector and hold it next to the wires supplying power to the ballast.