Sizing a capacitor for fluorescent light

Thread Starter

Simon Pressure Jet

Joined Oct 28, 2020
13
Hi.

First I hope everyone has had a good Christma.

Now on to my question. My kitchen fluorescent light is taking its time to light up. My initial thought was the capacitor and on testing it it’s capacitance value was reading 0.4 microfarads. This seems incredibly low to me but I have no idea on how to go about calculating the size needed to source a replacement.

The bulb is 58 watts, on a 230 volts supply.

Can someone explain the process of sizing a capacitor to me so I can calculate the required replacement please. There is markings on the current capacitor but it’s so old I can’t make out what it says.

Many thanks Simon
 

Thread Starter

Simon Pressure Jet

Joined Oct 28, 2020
13
Hi and thanks for replying. I’m sorry but I don’t know what you mean by ballast and no it doesn’t flicker, after about ten seconds it springs into life.
 

djsfantasi

Joined Apr 11, 2010
9,156
Only three items involved, the starter, the choke, the tube.

Replace the starter, or replace the tube, if it's the same replace the fitting..
Especially if there is any darkening at the ends of the tube. In that case, your first step is to replace the tube.

I had many fluorescent lights in my workshop. And I had a concrete form tube with spares at all times.
 
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