Fluorescent Tubes

It might not have a starter switch. It could be a quick start that doesn't use them.

Also, many fittings aimed at domestic use don't have the starter so easily accessible, as it doesn't normally die in domestic use (what really kills them is being left trying to start a dead tube for weeks on end, as is more likely in commercial premises). You might have to take the cover off.

How long and what power rating are the tubes? How old is the fitting? When it was working, did the tubes flash a few times when switched on before staying on?

In older fittings particularly the Thorn ones the starters are inside the casing so you have to switch off the light first, or pull the fuse to be safe, then remove the tube either by twisting through 90=BA or pushing it gently towards one end and releasing the contact pins at one end first. You should then see either two plastic rotary knobs or two metal screw heads, these hold the cover on. Plastic knobs will need rotating 45-90=BA to release the cover, screws will need rotating anticlockwise to do the same.

I have lived here for 5 years and I do not know how long before this it was installed but I would guess quite a long time.

One tube stopped altogether and the second was flickering at half power. Both tubes were blackening at one end.

Thanks for your reply.

Regards, Swan

Thanks very much for your help. I removed the cover but there were no starters inside. I noticed that the make was Thorn. It would seem that I have no alternative but to replace the unit.

Regards, Swan

The 58W tubes won't work with some types of 65W starter-less control gear.

Tubes do that as they die.

Is there a part number on the control gear? Thorn did a number of types of quite sophisticated (and hence expensive) starter-less control gear. Actually, they invented two types of fluorescent control gear.