Fluorescent Light - Sparks And Burnt Capacitor

[diyshireboy]

Hi Electrician Experts,
 
I have never fixed a fluorescent light before and was hoping to get some troubleshooting advice. 
 
I have a T8 fluorescent light fixture with a single tube and on numerous occasions in the past, when switching on or off the light, a loud bang and spark will come from the light. However, the light still works afterwards. There isn't any flicker or loud humming noise coming from the light, nor are the ends darkened, so from what I read there shouldn't be any problems with the light tube itself.
 
When opening up the fixture, I see a ballast, capacitor and starter. One end of the capacitor has been burnt with the thin plastic end having been blown off. The fixture where the capacitor is close to also shows some burnt marks.
 
Aside from replacing the capacitor can anyone tell me if there may be another problem (e.g. with ballast) that I should investigate?
 
 
Thanks in advance!
 
 
Martin

 

[ProDave]

The choke is the ballast. The capacitor is for power factor correction. The light will work without the capacitor, but best to replace it.

 

[steptoe]

TBH,

for the price of a 5' flourescent Id just replace it,

save a load of time and messing around,

imho.

 

[diyshireboy]

Thanks for your responses. Just to close off this thread, I ended up replacing the capacitor and everything still working so far.

I thought about replacing the T8 fixture but it meant putting up new structures to hold the new fixture as the mounting holes are in different places.

Cheers