Shocking light fixture

Dave in MS · Aug 20, 2012

I flipped on the shop lights, and one of the 8', 2 tube, flourescent fixtures failed to light up. I tapped one of the tubes, and both of them lit up. An hour or so later I was back in the shop, and same deal. This time I decided to replace the tubes, but when I grabbed one of them, I also touched the fixture and got zapped. Not bad, but enough to get my attention. I turned off the lights and replaced the tubes, but it made no difference. Still didn't light up when the switch is on. I ain't going to tap or otherwise monkey with it again with the power on.
I checked the wiring, and all looks good. Do I have a bad ballast?

DaveK(IN) · Aug 20, 2012

Most likely a bad or absent ground. the metal frame should
be grounded and in fact this assists in the initial firing of the
tube.
Check the entire grounding system back to the source of
supply. it is possible that all the metal tools that are where
you store your tractors (covered you) will give you a tingle
too.
Grounding is just about the most important aspect of any
electrical installation.
If you are not sure of your skills in this area call a qualified
electrician

Stephen Newell · Aug 20, 2012

I don't think it is the ballast. More often than not the ballast makes an awful burning plastic smell before they go. I think its probably a short somewhere on the internal wiring of the fixture itself. Since you wiggle the bulb to get it to light, perhaps one of the tombstones where the bulbs fit has gone bad. If you discover this is the problem you may be able buy the individual parts to repair the fixture. While you are in there I would look and see if the fault ground wire is attached to the fixture.

old_bc · Aug 20, 2012

Bad or no ground and possibly a bad ballast. If the ballast shorts and you don't have a good ground you can get a bad shock. Don't ask me how I know.

buickanddeere · Aug 21, 2012

This illustrates why an intact and working ground system that
is not carrying neutral current is important.
For those out there who still think ground and neutral is the
"same" they are not the "same".

barnE · Aug 21, 2012

Get electrician right away. I have in my 54 years of electricity seen at least 4 ballasts that shorted internally. Two of them killed people. One was my partner, both of us master electricians. The one that killed him was putting out 550 volts to ground. Every sparky in plant was told work on these lights hot, never turn them off, theyh will never hurt you, not enough current. WRONG. Be safe and get help from someone who knows. This incident was in 1990. Dave

36 Coupe · Aug 22, 2012

A neon test light can tell you if anything is hot above ground.When I started in electronics 35 cents would buy one.The AC/DC table radios and many TV sets had hot chassis.I got into appliance work and found many power tools and water heaters hot above ground.Fluorescent ballasts are autoformers that produce over 250 volts to fire the gas in the lamps.Ballasts can start fires.Ive seen a few outdoor signs burn up.I still use neon test lights in the shop to check any thing I work on.I got interested in radio in 1950 ,still work in my shop.Ive seen many power tools and extention cords with the ground pin cut off,bits of wire and drill rod in fuse holders.

Shocking light fixture

Dave in MS

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DaveK(IN)

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Stephen Newell

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old_bc

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buickanddeere

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barnE

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36 Coupe

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