7 Common Reasons & the Best Fix for Fluorescent Lights
If your lights keep flickering, you’re not alone — this is one of the most common issues homeowners and businesses in the Lehigh Valley experience. Flickering can be annoying, but more importantly, it can be a warning sign of deeper electrical problems.
In many homes and offices, especially those with older fluorescent fixtures in drop ceilings, flickering happens because the ballast is failing, the wiring is loose, or the bulbs are at the end of their life.
1. Failing Fluorescent Ballast
If you have fluorescent lights in a drop-ceiling grid, flickering is usually caused by a ballast going bad.
Signs of a failing ballast:
– Flickering
– Buzzing noise
– Dim or inconsistent lighting
– Burn marks or heat on the ballast
– Bulbs turning on slowly
2. Old or Loose Wiring (Safety Hazard)
Loose wiring inside fixtures can loosen over time and cause:
– Random flickering
– Warm or buzzing switches
– Heat buildup
This is a safety hazard and requires a licensed electrician.
3. Overloaded Circuits
If lights flicker when appliances start, the circuit may be overloaded. Older homes weren’t designed for modern electrical load demand.
4. Bad Light Bulbs or Wrong Bulb Type
Sometimes the bulb is the problem — especially older fluorescent tubes or mismatched LEDs.
5. Voltage Fluctuations
Voltage should stay between 115–125V. Anything outside causes flickering and dimming. An electrician can test and correct this.
6. Old Electrical Panel
Outdated panels cause unstable power, frequent breaker trips, and voltage drops.
7. Utility Company Issues
Sometimes the issue is outside your home — transformer problems or damaged supply lines.
BEST LONG-TERM FIX: LED Ballast-Bypass Conversion
Instead of replacing fluorescent tubes or ballasts repeatedly, switching to LED Ballast-Bypass Fixtures is the best long-term solution.
Benefits:
✔ No ballast = no flickering
✔ 2–3× brighter
✔ Uses 50–70% less power
✔ Instant start
✔ No buzzing or humming
✔ Longer lifespan
✔ Zero maintenance
Price: $100 per fixture
Includes:
– Ballast removal
– LED driver installation
– Rewiring
– Installation & testing
Why You Need an Electrician
Ballast-bypass requires line-voltage rewiring, proper grounding, and safe handling. Incorrect wiring can cause fire or shock hazards.
When to Call 2 Live Wires
Call us if you notice:
– Flickering or dimming
– Buzzing fixtures
– Burned-out tubes
– Slow-start lights
– Overheating ballasts
– Older wiring in drop ceilings
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2 Live Wires Services
We provide:
✔ LED conversions
✔ Ballast replacements
✔ Electrical troubleshooting
✔ Fixture upgrades
✔ Code-compliant wiring
Serving the entire Lehigh Valley.
www.2livewires.com
