5 Way Light Fitting With 'energy Bulbs'

[big_al72]

Hi all,

This has me stumped.

In my kitchen is a 5 way light fitting with GU10's.  I have fitted energy bulbs.  Every time i turn on the light, I get a different number of bulbs lighting at any one time.  Sometimes all will be on, sometimes 3, sometimes 4, sometimes 2.....I'm sure you get the picture.....

The bulbs are working....I have tested them individually by removing all bar one, then trying that bulb in all the 5 fittings, then onto the next bulb etc.....

The light fitting is only a few yrs old (5 at the most)...there are no loose wires from the rose fitting down into the body of the fitting, all the bulb fittings have been checked, no signs of heat issues either.

Different makes of bulbs tried, from 'BnQ' own make, sylvania, ring etc....pretty much the same results

Any suggestions as a cause?...all thats left for me to think at the mo is something to do with lead/lag of current to voltage.

Cheers guys,

Al.

 

[ProDave]

Firstly "energy bulbs" means nothing.  All bulbs use a certain amount of energy.

So I assume you mean "low energy" then don't you? but you could equally mean "high energy"

Are they LED or CCFL?

I assume you have fitted 5 all of the SAME make and same power?

 

[Steve3948]

But do they all come on at the end ??

Could be soft start.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Is the light bulb touching the body of the fitting and stopping it from being seated properly ?

 

[Evans Electric]

Exactly what bulbs have you fitted , Big Al  ,  I'm guessing if you're replacing GU10s they are LEDs ?   

Are you mistaking low volt lamps for GU10s  by the way  and fitting 12V  LEDS  ?

Do they have two spikes to connect or two mushroom shaped pegs?

 

[batty]

My thoughts are with Slips that the lamps are not fitting in the holders properly. Maybe the lamp shape is not right for the fitting. 

 

[big_al72]

Sorry guys, to clarify:

There are no fitting issues, the glass shades are a good half inch wider than the GU10 bulbs so nothing is touching.

They are low energy flourescent type bulbs, not LED's.

They do not eventually all come on, they stay off if they do not light up and switch on.

This is a random thing that happens.  At any one time, the same bulbs can be lit or stay off so no common bad socket connections on a particular bulb.

Thanks

Al.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

You dont have it on a dimmer switch do you ?, it wont work.

 

[big_al72]

Guys,

No, I'm not using a dimmer, just an ordinary switch. They are definitely gu10, low energy fluorescent. I have tried a mixture of all the same make, and different makes. All 7watt. Everything is as it should be. I am qualified and know not to use dimmers, and that the fitting is good, the bulbs correct and have checked all I can think of.

Al.

 

[Evans Electric]

This is most strange !

What happens if you fit just one lamp ?  Does it light up every time ?   Then what happens if you fit two , do they light  every time ?   At what point do some not light up ?

 

[Blue Duck]

can you upload a video to you tube? 

Wiring sounds dodge any flickring?

Fauna?

 

[Marvo]

I can't think of a reason for the problem off hand but if you switch the light on and you remove one of the lamps that doesn't light whilst the power is still on and then reinsert it, does it light then or not?

 

[big_al72]

In response to the last couple of posts......If I remove bulbs that havent lit then re-insert whilst supply is on, then they still dont light up.

If I only fit 3, then 3 will light all the time.

No evidence of any flickering, switch cabling and fitting cabling checked for loose/heat evidence.

I did speak to the maintenance electrician in work today who said he did have a similar issue with a 5 arm chandelier in his living room.  His Mrs bought 5 new CFL bulbs and he had the random number lighting up.  The only 'work around' he ended up doing was reducing the wattage of each bulb from 11watt to 7 or lower.  After this, he said most of the time they would all strike.

I'm still leaning towards current/voltage lead/lag (power factor).  Trouble is, I got the Mrs on my back to either fit a new light fitting entirely or I'm thinking LED.  problem is with LED, most have narrow beams dont they?...This is the main ceiling light in a kitchen.

Al.

 

[Steve3948]

You can get 40 degree on decent LED lamps.

Check with new forum sponsor.

 

[mikel]

Some of the LED lamps I've used with 'multi SMDs chips' have a beam width of 120 degrees

 

[steptoe]

http://www.ledhut.co.uk/gu10-smd-led-220-lumens-45-watts-equiv-best-internet-price.html

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

SMD  LED, GU10 lamps have wide spread

I can not think of any reason 3 lamps will strike but not more, unless the fitting is wired in series, but unusual if it is.

Ok, getting more obscure, have you bought/stolen  lamps with day/night sensors built in and depending which way they face they will or wont  light up ?

 

[ProDave]

In response to the last couple of posts......If I remove bulbs that havent lit then re-insert whilst supply is on, then they still dont light up.

Try putting ordinary halogen GU10 lamps in the "non working" sockets as an extension to that test and let us know? (while supply is still on)

To be honest I would have given up and changed the light fitting by now.  You do know a nice 58W 5ft flourescent strip light gives off a nice diffused light, perfect for kitchens and work spaces, and they are energy efficient and reliable.

 

[batty]

Try putting ordinary halogen GU10 lamps in the "non working" sockets as an extension to that test and let us know? (while supply is still on)

To be honest I would have given up and changed the light fitting by now.  You do know a nice 58W 5ft flourescent strip light gives off a nice diffused light, perfect for kitchens and work spaces, and they are energy efficient and reliable.

He could use a twin and only one tube would work.

:slap

 

[steptoe]

He could use a twin and only one tube would work.

:slap

:slap