mitchilin
Member
Hi
I'm hoping there is somebody who can help me with what I think is a very interesting problem. I'll start off by saying I've done an apprenticeship in mechatronics and 1st year of E/E eng. at uni, therefore I know basics of circuit theory.
I no longer live with my parents but I'm staying here for four weeks and I need both a project and to "sort these damn lights out" that keep turning off when we are sat at the kitchen table eating and solving crosswords etc.
There are 10 halogen 12V 50W GU5.5(?) bulbs in the kitchen on two circuits. 6 of them cover the cooking area and work perfectly. The other 4 are a pain to say the least. When we turn them on they will stay on for a random period of time anywhere between 30 seconds to 5 minutes. After which they flicker slightly and then turn off. After which we will turn them back on again, and the process repeats. The more we turn them back on the longer they last until eventually they stay on permanently, but this can take a while and many repeated efforts! (And swearing).
There's an added twist to this as we have what seems like a PLC (Square D) in the garage controlling the house. Lights turn on automatically when you enter a room etc. etc. I mention this because the lights are dimmable, but it seems it done through the PLC. If you long press a rocker switch the lights dim. I know dimmable lights are a pain. They also each have their own transformers, but the transformers don't seem to be overheating because they are not near the bulbs and are not covered in insulation. It wouldn't explain why they eventually stay on after turning them on so many times.
So basically, does anyone know what is wrong here and how to fix them so they stay on? This has been happening for years and not only does it annoy me when I visit home but my parents live with it every day and it needs sorting out. Electricians cost too much and is not so high up the list right now. It would be nice to pay them back by fixing something. Any help is really, really appreciated.
Thank you.
I'm hoping there is somebody who can help me with what I think is a very interesting problem. I'll start off by saying I've done an apprenticeship in mechatronics and 1st year of E/E eng. at uni, therefore I know basics of circuit theory.
I no longer live with my parents but I'm staying here for four weeks and I need both a project and to "sort these damn lights out" that keep turning off when we are sat at the kitchen table eating and solving crosswords etc.
There are 10 halogen 12V 50W GU5.5(?) bulbs in the kitchen on two circuits. 6 of them cover the cooking area and work perfectly. The other 4 are a pain to say the least. When we turn them on they will stay on for a random period of time anywhere between 30 seconds to 5 minutes. After which they flicker slightly and then turn off. After which we will turn them back on again, and the process repeats. The more we turn them back on the longer they last until eventually they stay on permanently, but this can take a while and many repeated efforts! (And swearing).
There's an added twist to this as we have what seems like a PLC (Square D) in the garage controlling the house. Lights turn on automatically when you enter a room etc. etc. I mention this because the lights are dimmable, but it seems it done through the PLC. If you long press a rocker switch the lights dim. I know dimmable lights are a pain. They also each have their own transformers, but the transformers don't seem to be overheating because they are not near the bulbs and are not covered in insulation. It wouldn't explain why they eventually stay on after turning them on so many times.
So basically, does anyone know what is wrong here and how to fix them so they stay on? This has been happening for years and not only does it annoy me when I visit home but my parents live with it every day and it needs sorting out. Electricians cost too much and is not so high up the list right now. It would be nice to pay them back by fixing something. Any help is really, really appreciated.
Thank you.
