Kitchen Light keeps tripping fuse, is it safe to force it to work?

[Jake Weldon]

Hey,

Our kitchen light has been faulty for about 2 years, they have attempted repairs on the wiring around the kitchen, but it doesnt seem to have helped.

It's a fairly old, ran down house, which is affected by the ground shifting down the ravine and sea mist.

Whenever we try use the kitchen light, which is a fluroscent tube bulb, it flickers and then trips the fuse box.

However, if you keep it turned on, switch the fuse back on, after doing this a few times, it will eventually work.

I was wondering if this is dangerous though, and somehow bypassing the safety check on the fuse?

Or is there something wrong with the bulb "heating" up, while it flickers, and constantly doing it, is reducing this time to the point where it not longer thinks there is an issue?

Note: There were multiple issues with the wiring, and others around the house which they haven't even bothered to check, but we have to replace bulbs upstairs a few times each month, unless we use LED bulbs, which are expensive, but so far, have been fine.

Thanks in advance,

Currently the kitchen light is on. Just a little worried if its safe or not.

Jake.

 

[Jake Weldon]

bump

 

[Murdoch]

Sounds to me as if you need a spark to investigate....where are you based?

 

[Blue Duck]

are you a Tennant? complain to the landlord or letting agent?

 

[ProDave]

Have you actually tried the not very expensive and logical thing, replace it for a new light fitting.  If it's a run down house, that will help to brighten it up with a shiny new light fitting.

 

[Doc Hudson]

they have attempted repairs on the wiring around the kitchen, but it doesnt seem to have helped.

Who are they, and what has actually been done. A proper logical sequence of tests and investigations should easily identify if there is a wiring or accessory issue.

Doc H.

 

[Blue Duck]

Have you actually tried the not very expensive and logical thing, replace it for a new light fitting.  If it's a run down house, that will help to brighten it up with a shiny new light fitting.

mmmm Illuminating...

Sounds to me like the wiring needs checked before any alterations are made.

@Jake Weldon No bypassing of any electrical safety device.  :red card

 

[Jake Weldon]

The housing association have been and checked the wiring, ripped the entire kitchen up the other year, said it was fixed, but the issue returned within weeks..

They already replaced the tube fitting, and the tube light, themselves.

Jake

 

[ProDave]

The housing association have been and checked the wiring, ripped the entire kitchen up the other year, said it was fixed, but the issue returned within weeks..

They already replaced the tube fitting, and the tube light, themselves.

Jake

Was that HA staff or did they send an electrician?

I am afraid it is not up to you to fix it, so all you can do is keep on and on and on reporting the fault to the HA.  Eventually they might get the message and send someone competent to find the fault.

Unfortunately Housing Associations seem to be exempt from most of the rules that Private Landlords have to abide by. A private landlord has to have the electrical installation checked and tested, and if it goes wrong send someone to fix it. It costs a private landlord money every time they send eomeone round, so it is their interests to send someone competent so they only have to pay once.

 

[Jake Weldon]

Was that HA staff or did they send an electrician?

I am afraid it is not up to you to fix it, so all you can do is keep on and on and on reporting the fault to the HA.  Eventually they might get the message and send someone competent to find the fault.

Unfortunately Housing Associations seem to be exempt from most of the rules that Private Landlords have to abide by. A private landlord has to have the electrical installation checked and tested, and if it goes wrong send someone to fix it. It costs a private landlord money every time they send eomeone round, so it is their interests to send someone competent so they only have to pay once.

It was an electrician, he did a few wire changes and said there were a lot of issues with water damage under the house, and along the western wall.

This is kinda the issue we have, with it being up to them, because there is structural faults along the entire house, and other houses on the street, but they refuse to fix them, and say eventually they will relocate everyone, but i cant help feel that the subsidy is stretching / snagging wiring and if some wiring is exposed, etc.

Just keep trying with them then I guess, I definitely haven't the expertise to isolate and repair an electrical problem.

Thanks a lot

Jake.

 

[binky]

Hmm, if they have done that much already, and it's still playing up, it could be a dodgy circuit breaker, but it does sound more like a faulty cable to me. Testing doesn't always reveal a fault. Complain again and keep complaining until it is fixed. You certainly shouldn't be forcing the light to stay on, and shouldn't have to. That  risks causing a fire

 

[Murdoch]

If its intermittent, the best course of action is to keep a "log" of when it trips - times, dates, weather conditions etc. At least this way you might spot some form of pattern.

Where are you based?

 

[Jake Weldon]

If its intermittent, the best course of action is to keep a "log" of when it trips - times, dates, weather conditions etc. At least this way you might spot some form of pattern.

Where are you based?

I originally noticed it would happen when the sea mist was around or during wet weather.

but it would have to dry for over a week before it would work, without any issues.

However, i can get it to work just by sitting at the fuse box and just keep switching the fuse back on, after about 5 - 7 tries it usually works, regardless.

North Yorkshire on the coast.

 

[ProDave]

What exactly is tripping?

Is it an MCB (single module wide thing with just a switch) or is it an RCD (double module wide with a switch and a "test" button)

 

[Bruspark]

Tell them the last time it tripped you nearly had an accident in the kitchen . . . 

 

[Jake Weldon]

The entire downstairs light circuit when using kitchen light switch.

RCD.

 

[Badger]

sounds to me like something is wet or damp pos outside light getting wet or maybe a j box?

 

[ProDave]

That fault should be easy for an electrician to find by doing insulation resistance tests. And of course test the RCD.

 

[Murdoch]

That fault should be easy for a competent electrician to find by doing insulation resistance tests. And of course test the RCD.

edited that for you!

 

[Blue Duck]

I find dealing with housing associations very frustrating, worse than the DNO. They have probably found some other defect with the building and to rectify it and the wiring fault will cost money they don't want to spend.