Fluorescent Lighting

[Spearmint]

So I was wiring my first set of fluorescent lights today (Ansell, 49W per strip, double units so 98W per fixture) and wired in parallel (switch wire to the first set of doubles then to the next fixture, four strips in total) so the lines/neutrals/CPCs were connected in the first fixture then to the next one. Turned them on on and the first fixture came on fine but the second only lit on the ends of the strips. Wiggled the strips but nothing changed and the annoying thing was I didn't have time to try and figure out what was wrong.

Circuit is wired (temporarily) into a plug for testing so running from an existing ring main with five amp fuse. Have I missed something obvious here? It's a shame that I won't be back there for a few days to check for any loose connections etc. despite the strips "trying" to turn on.

 

[Simonslimline]

starters?

 

[Spearmint]

starters?

It's a possibility, thinking back they did flick on every so often and straight off again - back to just the ends lit. These are brand new fixtures and strips though, not that means anything I suppose.

 

[Simonslimline]

So you are saying 1 out of 4 lights doesn't work ?

 

[Spearmint]

So you are saying 1 out of 4 lights doesn't work ?

Nope, one fixture doesn't work which contains two strips. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

 

[Simonslimline]

Could be a dodgy fitting/starter/ etc.

Maybe try putting the tubes and starter/s of the one that doesn't work in the working 1 to make sure its not down to that.

 

[Spearmint]

Could be a dodgy fitting/starter/ etc.

Maybe try putting the tubes and starter/s of the one that doesn't work in the working 1 to make sure its not down to that.

Will do. Like I said it'll be a couple of days before I'm back there so the troubleshooting will have to wait until then. There's definitely power there as they "try" to light so didn't think it would be a wiring issue. Thought it'd be worth putting it out there to see if I've missed something obvious.

Thanks for the help!

 

[pennychew]

Does sound like a starter doesnt it, I have one flourescent in the shed which sometimes just flickers til you remove the starter. Not sure what causes that but take the starter out and it lights up ok?

 

[Spearmint]

Does sound like a starter doesnt it, I have one flourescent in the shed which sometimes just flickers til you remove the starter. Not sure what causes that but take the starter out and it lights up ok?

I was there earlier today and fitted the remaining two fixtures (two bulbs each) which are running from the same circuit but separate switches and neither came on, just lit up faintly on the ends and flickered every now and then. This is so strange, that means that out of four fixtures only one works... surely out of four brand new fixtures three are faulty?! I'm stubbed.

I'll try removing the starters next time and see how it goes.

 

[preppar]

Capacitors ?