Downlight Issue?

[Lexie1506]

Any advice on this problem...have two mains downlights in a upstairs toilet..but have problems with them working together..when both have 50w bulbs fitted neither work..tryed 25w and the glow really dull..5w led work on one but must have a 50w bulb in the other which does not work at same time?? And if place both 5w led in they just flash like crazy!!! Any ideas thanks

 

[Blue Duck]

Dimmer in the toilet ?

 

[Doc Hudson]

Welcome to the forum, is this existing lighting that has stopped working or is it new or alteration work recently done that you cannot get to work. Is there any extractor fan wired in with these lights, or as duck said dimmer switch. You haven't got a dimming cord pull switch have you? http://www.screwfix.com/p/greenbrook-pull-cord-dimmer-switch-250w/67799?_requestid=36792#product_additional_details_container  Standard dimmers will not work with many energy saving lamps.

Doc H

 

[Lexie1506]

Not to sure on background of lighting as only just moved in..pull cord on outside of toilet..as i say when I first pulled cord both lights work but bulbs glowing dim..so changed for 50w wich do not work together so replace one with a led 5w which only works if i leave the 50w in the other?? Really confusing

 

[kerching]

Are you aure these are mains voltage?

What do the pins on the lamp,look,like?

Are they straight pins or do they have a "blob" onnthe end of the pin? Similar to a starter switch for a fluorescent tube?

At first thought it sounds to me like they may be wired in series not parallell....ie you need both lamps in for one to work, a bit like old style xmas tree lamps

Google GU10. And GX5.3 and see if either of these resemble your lamp pins, then come back to us please

 

[Doc Hudson]

Are you aure these are mains voltage?

What do the pins on the lamp,look,like?

Are they straight pins or do they have a "blob" onnthe end of the pin? Similar to a starter switch for a fluorescent tube?

At first thought it sounds to me like they may be wired in series not parallell....ie you need both lamps in for one to work, a bit like old style xmas tree lamps

Google GU10. And GX5.3 and see if either of these resemble your lamp pins, then come back to us please

As Kerch asks, what type of lamps are they, are your connections listed here; http://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/light-bulbs/cat8350001  or can you see a similar lamp to yours here; https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_Menu_Index/Lamps_and_Tubes_Index/index.html  we need to confirm If yours are actually 12v or 230v. You mention that you recently moved in. Do you know if the previous owner changed or disconnected anything from any other lights in the property. Do all of the other lights in all the other rooms work OK?  

Doc H.

 

[NozSpark]

Unless the previous occupant replaced a light fitting before they left and........

 

[Lexie1506]

Both gu10 says 250v on the downlight where the bulb twist in! All other lighting is fine...both have power definitely as reversed bulbs and same thing one works other doesn't...and iv tested all bulbs to make sure working. As i say when both had 25w bulbs they both did work but very dim..when replaced both with 5w led the flashed non stop

 

[Badger]

series wiring to me sounds like

 

[Evans Electric]

It does sound like wired in series  but he says with 2 X 50w  neither work ......I'd have thought half power on each . 

I wonder if the previous people replaced the fittings before leaving but left transformers connected. ?

 

[NozSpark]

Could be wired in series through another light fitting if they've been replaced.... maybe???

 

[Murdoch]

Poor neutral connection? Fixed a problem like this just yesterday!

 

[Doc Hudson]

Without some continuity testing of the cables and some readings to see exactly what voltage levels are where, there is very little more that can be suggested here. It does sound as though someone has added or disconnected something and either wired it wrong or left connections loose. You will need to call someone with relevant test equipment to come and have a look. It could be a 30 minute fix if all joints are accessible at fittings or switch. But if you have a hidden junction box then it could be a bit longer. You say this is an upstairs toilet, is the loft void above accessible? It may be cables have been disturbed removing or putting stuff into or out of the loft. What part of the country are you in, there may be one of our members local to you?

Doc H.