# Fluorescent fixture not working right

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluorescent-fixture-not-working-right/312695>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [July 15, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluorescent-fixture-not-working-right/312695 "2005-07-15T19:27:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Joe\_Mahma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@Joe\_Mahma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Mahma)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluorescent-fixture-not-working-right/312695/1 "2005-07-15T19:27:05Z")

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The fluorescent fixture (2 42" bulbs) has begun to light at about 205 of normal brightness (maybe less- it’s hard to estimate). Is ther any easy way to tell if the problem is bulbs or ballast?

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**Author:** ![Joe\_Mahma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@Joe\_Mahma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Mahma)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluorescent-fixture-not-working-right/312695/2 "2005-07-15T19:28:42Z")

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Sorry, that should’ve said 20%, not 205.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joe\_Mahma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@Joe\_Mahma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Mahma)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluorescent-fixture-not-working-right/312695/3 "2005-07-15T19:31:46Z")

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Yeesh. Wrong forum. Mods, please delete this thread - I’ll repost in GQ.