Repairing a magnetic ballast

[farmerjohn]

Hi all,

I’ve just opened up this magnetic ballast to see why it wasn’t working and I’ve noticed that where the wires are joined together it appears to be burnt out. I’ve attached a photo to this post

Does this mean one of the components has failed or can I just rewire it here? Anything I should be aware of?

Thanks for your help

 

[Don Farrell]

Those wires look seriously burnt. That generally means they were forced to carry a very high amperage for a long enough time to start melting and charring.

I would not rewire the unit. I would replace the unit, especially since one of the effected wires is tied to the capacitor. I would not like to see that capacitor explode on you.

How old is the unit? I see that it is a 50Hz unit, are you in a European country?

 

[Dirtmechanic]

We have been snatching ballasts completely out as we convert to LED lighting. I would not bother replacing it.

 

[piglet11]

Have to agree with all the above.
If you are dead set on keeping the tube, you might find an electronic starter that would give it a lease of life.
Without testing all the components, ballast, capacitor, glow? start you couldn't pin it down.
Personally, I would go over to LED, or you can get T8's or whatever in LED form and just get rid of the unused components.

 

[WyrTwister]

I have replaced hundreds of ballast , down through the years . No one attempts to repair them .

Wyr
God bless