What you are looking at is an
electronic ballast on fire in a fluorescent
fixture.
An automobile dealership on the west
coast of Florida avoided a potential disaster when they
discovered smoke coming from a fluorescent lighting fixture. They called the
lighting distributor who opened the fixture up to find the electronic ballast on
fire. The fixture was repaired with a new electronic ballast and new lamps. Had
this not been caught in time it could have resulted in a multimillion dollar
loss.
What we
know.
1. Two (2) of the four (4) F32T8
fluorescent lamps in the fixture had burned out, but no one paid it much
attention. They did not realize the importance of replacing old fluorescent
lamps.
2. The lamps had been operating for three
(3) years. They had black ends and most likely the ballast over heated trying to
start the dead lamps.
3. The electronic ballast was three (3)
years old. The brand was a well known manufacture and UL rated.
4. Normally when an electronic ballast
overheats trying to start bad lamps it will blow the internal fuse (non replaceable). The owner is then
stuck with the added expense of replacing the ballast.
This is a common occurrence with fires
starting from lighting fixtures being reported every week. Poor lighting
maintenance is sighted as the culprit.
Everyone should be aware that
fluorescent lamps should be changed for the same reason you change the oil in
your car. Prevent serious damage and expense.
