how to tell PL light is faulty

[juggler]

Recently I tested the connectivity of some PL tubes (36W, 4 pin type) which has blown.

If the pins are labelled A,B,C,D. I found that, using a multi-tester, either pair A-B or C-D is disconnected. A good PL tube has connectivity in the pairs A-B and C-D.

Just a quick way to test if PL lights are working without connecting them to the light set.

Correct?

[zmzfam]

should be correct Juggler. a PL lamp is basically a U-ed FL lamp. Take the FL lamp for e.g. at each end is basically a heater coil. This coil after some time the metal gets evaporated -> explaining the darkened ends of the tube and the lamp needs to be changed.

Likewise for PL, the theory is the same. If either coil gets open-circuit, the lamp would not light up. This will also explain why over-time, any FL/PL tube the output diminishes due to the evaporation of the coil in the tube itself.

Hope this helps.

[juggler]

Thanks for the good explanation!