Fluorescent light troubleshooting

I have tried searching Google and this and other forums but haven't seen a similar issue, apologies if this has been asked - hopefully I'm missing something so silly it's not a common problem.

I have a kitchen light fixture (like this one) that uses two circline T-9 bulbs.

The bulbs were replaced less than a year ago. The bulbs have not been flickering, stuttering when turning on, nor have they dimmed noticeably or changed color since installed.

Two days ago, the lights did not turn on. I flipped the switch, and nothing happened. Since I knew the bulbs are fairly new, and both are now out, and there is no scorch-marks or discoloration on the tubes, I assumed the ballast was bad.

I purchased and installed a new ballast; lights still do not turn on. I purchased new bulbs and replaced; still no light.

Using a voltage detector (this one), I noticed that the white wire is never showing as hot at the fixture. Opened up the wall plate and pulled out the switch, and both wires are hot at switch when on, but not the white wire feeding the fixture. However, I can hear a slight buzz from the ballast, and I detect voltage on the black wire and the wires connected to the bulbs (though the bulbs never light or flicker).

There is a second switch for the dining-room ceiling-fan/light in the same outlet, and I tried swapping switches. Ceiling fan works fine with kitchen light switch, kitchen light still doesn't work with ceiling-fan switch.

BTW, in case anyone is concerned, I am turning off the breaker and confirming no power with the voltage detector anytime I touch the building wiring.

Any ideas what's the problem? Please let me know if more info/pictures are needed to diagnose.

 

The white wire is the neutral. It's not supposed to be hot. Both wires are supposed to be hot on the switch when it's in the on position. The black wire at the fixture should be hot. It doesn't sound like you checked it.

 

Yes, the black wire is hot at the fixture when on. I also hear the ballast buzzing and can detect voltage on the wires feeding the bulbs when on. No voltage detected anywhere when switch off.

 

Then the only other possibilities are Did you buy the correct ballast & the correct bulbs & did you wire the ballast correctly? Obviously, power is reaching the fixture. Other than that, maybe there is a lost neutral somewhere.

 

Not good for real testing. As likely to give a false positive as ouija board. To check voltage you need a multimeter, preferably analog, or a test light.

Agree with Shorty be sure the ballast is the correct one and you followed the wiring diagram on the new ballast not the old one.

 

It is the wrong ballast.

I need one that supports two circline 32W; the one I got supports one 32W and one 22W.

Thank you both! Will update when I find the right ballast.