Fluorescent light problems..

[B4T]

I have a customer who has a 1/20 watt. strip light in a clothes closet controlled by a door jam switch.

Fixture and jam switch was changed about a year ago.

Things were fine for about (6) months and then when door was opened, light comes on to half brightness.

Now if you touch the lamp, it goes to full brightness.

I changed the ballast, worked fine for a few months, then same problem came back.

So I put in a new fixture and lamp, worked fine, then same problem..

I'm out of ideas why the lamp only works when you touch it..

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Is this an old 2 wire circuit- no ground.

 

[B4T]

Is this an old 2 wire circuit- no ground.

Close.. really old BX that is corroded.. house was build in 1919 and has all the wiring systems except K&T

 

[sparky59]

it sounds like the problem has been solved.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Some fluorescents req. a ground to function properly. I had one years ago that had the same problem. I added a grounded cir. and that took care of it. I didn't think the newer fixtures needed a ground but who knows.

 

[B4T]

Some fluorescents req. a ground to function properly. I had one years ago that had the same problem. I added a grounded cir. and that took care of it. I didn't think the newer fixtures needed a ground but who knows.

Thanks Dennis.. at least I have something to look for other than ghosts looking to make my life interesting..