A combination for replacing a ballast of a conventional fluorescent fixture without ever having to wire the ballast to the conventional fluorescent fixture, wherein the conventional fluorescent fixture has a conventional hood, a conventional set of power supply wires, and a conventional set of lamp socket wires. The combination includes a socket, a ballast, and apparatus for electrically, mechanically, and interchangeably connecting the ballast to the socket without ever having to wire the ballast to the conventional fluorescent fixture. The socket mounts to the conventional hood of the conventional fluorescent fixture, is electrically spliced to the conventional set of power supply wires of the conventional fluorescent fixture, and is electrically spliced to the conventional set of lamp socket wires of the conventional fluorescent fixture. The ballast is electrically, mechanically, and interchangeably connected to the socket so as to allow the ballast to be replaced without ever having to wire the ballast to the conventional fluorescent fixture.