Abstract: A fluorescent lighting assembly (2) includes a ballast lampholder subassembly (4) located at one end of a troffer (80) and at least one lampholder connector (50) located at the opposite end. The ballast lampholder subassembly (4) includes ballast circuitry connected to fluorescent lamp terminals (17) all positioned within a ballast lampholder housing (6). A molded ballast lampholder cover (8) encloses three sides of the ballast lampholder subassembly and a stamped metal plate forms the ballast lampholder base (10), with the ballast circuitry located on a circuit board (27) positioned on the interior surface of the base. Integrally molded lampholders (15) extend from channels (14) on the cover (8) and are positioned between larger enclosure sections (12) which provide space for larger ballast components. Fluorescent lamp terminals (17) are inserted from the interior of the cover into cavities (16) in lampholders (15), and lead wires connect the terminals to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A fluorescent lampholder connector (50, 150) for use in a fluorescent lighting assembly (2) includes a molded lampholder connector housing having spaced-apart molded lampholders (51, 150) extending upwardly from a lampholder connector base. Each of the lampholders includes a pair of terminal cavities (52, 152) opening on a lower surface of the connector housing. Fluorescent lamp terminals (17) are disposed in respective ones of the terminal cavities. In one embodiment, the connector (50) has two lampholders (51), and lead wires (57) connect the terminals in one lampholder to the terminals in the other lampholder. In another embodiment, the connector (151) has three lampholders, a bus wire (157) extends along the lower surface of the connector housing, and lead wires (161) connect the terminals to the bus wire.

Abstract: A lighting assembly 2 includes a ballast subassembly 4, fluorescent lamps 30 and connectors 50 for connecting the ends of two lamps forming an associated pair. The ballast subassembly 4 is connected to only one base of two lamps and the other ends are connected by commoning socket connectors 50 that are not attached to the ballast subassembly 4. The ballast subassembly 4 includes a power supply circuit 100 and a ballast circuit 102 that can energize two fluorescent lamps 30 with remote lamp bases 34 commoned. The ballast subassembly 4 is mounted on one end of the lighting subassembly, for example on one end of a troffer 80. No wires or other direct electrical connection are necessary with the other end of the lighting assembly 4, the lamps 30, or the troffer 80. The commoning connectors 50 can employ bus contacts 64 having integral cantilever terminals 74 extending from a central bus section 66.