Fluorescent light fixture with removable ballast

In a fluorescent light fixture comprising:

• a housing having a top plate for mounting on a structural surface and side plates extending downwardly from side edges of said top plate, wherein fluorescent lights are located beneath said top plate and proximate said side plates;
• an opening in one of said side plates by which a ballast is replaceably inserted into an enclosure, said enclosure including a wall having a plurality of electrical contact tabs;
• said ballast having a wall with a plurality of electrical contact tabs corresponding to each of said enclosure wall tabs for forming an electrical contact therewith and completing an electrical circuit through the ballast.