a non - light emitting insert for a fluorescent lighting fixture is used in place of a fluorescent lamp to complete a plural lamp ballast circuit so that the ballast is effective to illuminate properly any remaining fluorescent lamp coupled therein . the insert appears externally as a conventional fluorescent lamp including end electrical terminations that fit in the sockets of a fluorescent lighting fixture , and to an extent the insert duplicates the electrical effect of a lamp in a two lamp ballast circuit . using the insert a reduction in the light output and a substantially corresponding reduction in consumed electrical power are achieved for a plural lamp fluorescent lighting fixture arrangement while at the same time the components of the ballast circuit are operated at reasonably normal electrical and temperature levels .