To not understand the mysteries of electrics?

[Beachsidesunset]

Explain this clever people - one of the three undercounter fluorescent lights in the kitchen stopped working (they're all interconnected by wires). I bought two replacement bulbs - exact same model, make etc. Tried both bulbs in the not working cradle and no joy. Put one of the working original bulbs in and it's fine. Put one of the new ones in the other cradle and it's working. The mystery of electrics!

Is it the type that has the seperate starter. So its not the tube that has 'gone'.

It's magic.

Don't know what a starter is. Magic is currently the best explanation!

Those tubes need a big voltage ( or current? ) to get the tube going when you switch them on.
the starter does that.

Check that the plug in wires joining them together are fully home. They wiggle about with movement, even opening and closing cupboards. Changing the bulbs might have been enough to wiggle them so they work/don’t work. Ours do this all the time!

So if the central cradle is nearer the starter, would that kick start the tube?

Are they fluorescent or led?
how long have they been there?
could there be a built up of grease or rust on the contacts in the holder?

Google 'floursecent starter'.

Do you have one of those sticking out?

There are now two types and if you have bought one with it's own starter it won't work if you have a seperate starter. If you have bought one that needs a starter and you don't have one it won't work.

Just to clarify - all three are now working, I just don't understand why the new tube didn't work in one cradle but does in another.