Wiring fluorescents with multiple switches.

F

fr8

Member
I have a fixture that Im close to having done. And im ready to do some test wiring. I have one fulham workhorse 5 ballast and wish to wire it with two bulbs. Ive been to the fulham website and I have a nice wiring diagram on how to wire the two bulbs. Its real simple and straight forward. But I wondering how I would wire in some switches. One for the actual power and one to turn off one of the bulbs. Any help is appreciated.

edit:

I also have a ballast coming that will allow me to wire 4 bulbs. Once I know how to wire the above how I want it, will it translate well to a 4 bulb configuration.
 
fr8 said:
I have a fixture that Im close to having done. And im ready to do some test wiring. I have one fulham workhorse 5 ballast and wish to wire it with two bulbs. Ive been to the fulham website and I have a nice wiring diagram on how to wire the two bulbs. Its real simple and straight forward. But I wondering how I would wire in some switches. One for the actual power and one to turn off one of the bulbs. Any help is appreciated.

edit:

I also have a ballast coming that will allow me to wire 4 bulbs. Once I know how to wire the above how I want it, will it translate well to a 4 bulb configuration.
Click to expand...

You can't wire switches to that side of the ballast. Its too dangerous. Please don't even try that. The only safe way to wire ballasts for switches is at the power side. The standard is usually the black (neutral) lead is the one switched by the way. Power cord black to one side of a SPST switch and another black wire leading to the neutral (black) input of the ballast.

That's why most all pro fixtures switch bulbs on / off two at a time. One switch per ballast. If you get a 4 bulb ballast then you can only switch 4 bulbs at a time on/off. It's another reason why 4 bulb ballasts are not favored for fluorescent video lighting. Most prefer the control 2 at a time. The 2 bulb ballasts are also usually of better quality too.

Fulham Workhorse 5 is a fine choice for a ballast and should work well for you.
 
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