Landing lights not working

[Ramblers]

We have a dual switchplate in the hall -one of the switches controls the spotlights in the hall.

The other one controls the spotlights upstairs on the landing.

There is also a switch upstairs on the landing which controls the landing lights.

We have never had a problem with them until now.

The wiring is about ten years old.

There are no loose wires.

I got new bulbs,making sure they were the same but still no result.

I tested these new bulbs in the hall spotlights and they work ok there.

There are no tripped switches.

Any suggestions will be most welcome please.

 

[Murdoch]

Be VERY careful. The fault could be on the neutral so it may still be live

 

[ProDave]

What type of bulbs?

If they are MR16, the ones with two very thin pins, then they will be fed from a transformer and the upstairs transformer may have failed.

 

[Evans Electric]

As Dave  said ,  what kind of lamps are they ?     Could  be a transformer fault  /  As Murdo said , a neutral fault / a switch wire fault .  Have you got anything to test with ?   

This Lock in must be getting to me !!!  When I read the title I thought it was aircraft landing  lights .   :C

 

[Ramblers]

Thank you all for your replies.

They are MR16 bulbs.

I don't have a testing kit.

I would buy one if they are not too expensive and  are aeasy to use.

I am a a senior citizen.

I went up to the attic to  look for any kind of transformer.Hard to locate as the loft is now fullt insulated with foam material.

What size is the transformer and where would it be likely to be.

 

[kerching]

Possibly size of a toilet roll tube or maybe about 4x2x1"

also,it is possible that these were a DIY kit....quite common a few years ago, where the kit comes with lamp holders on a fixed length of wire either daisy chained together OR each with its own little plug that's plugs into a marshalling adapter box

 

[Murdoch]

Thank you all for your replies.

They are MR16 bulbs.

I don't have a testing kit.

I would buy one if they are not too expensive and  are aeasy to use.

I am a a senior citizen.

I went up to the attic to  look for any kind of transformer.Hard to locate as the loft is now fullt insulated with foam material.

What size is the transformer and where would it be likely to be.

How many bulbs are there?

How many are working?

 

[Ramblers]

Three bulbs and none are working..

House is about 12 years old.

Not sure if they were installed as part of the original build or not.

 

[Murdoch]

My guess is that the single transformer was 105va and the bulbs were 35w each.

Over time the bulbs have gone and at least 1 is now 50w which has over loaded the transformer - and hence why its failed

My guidance is:

1. Replace the transformer with a higher rated unit

or

2. Get a spark to see if the lights could be converted to 230V LED units

 

[ProDave]

The TX has probably failed because it's smothered under all the new loft insulation.

 

[Evans Electric]

Over time the bulbs have gone and at least 1 is now 50w which has over loaded the transformer - and hence why its failed

The TX has probably failed because it's smothered under all the new loft insulation.

Two good points there  Ramblers ,   Those guys who install insulation  do it with no regard to covering electrics , causing them to overheat .

Also , because they LOOK the same ,   people will replace 35watt lamps with 50watt  and melt the transformer .  

Unfortunately you need to look under the fibreglass insulation  for a transformer ( Wear a mask )  .  A possible clue ....if there  used to be a central light before these were fitted , the transformer may be near that position .     

As the other guys have said ,  it would be a good idea to  get the transformer removed and  three   240Volt  LED fittings fitted  which are best NOT covered with insulation .  

The quick fix is find the transformer & replace it with a 150 watt  and leave it clear of the insulation . 

 

[Ramblers]

Thank you all so very much for taking the time and trouble with your help and advice.

The bulbs are 12 v  20 w.

I won't be able to look into this again for a couple of days but will let you know what happens.

 

[revjames]

sorry looked at the title of the thread and thought it was about airports.. feel stupid now

 

[ProDave]

sorry looked at the title of the thread and thought it was about airports.. feel stupid now

 

[revjames]

funnily enough I was listening to music on my usb stick in the van the other day and wheels of steel came up. love it.

 

[ProDave]

That Saxon song was about a real flight that was preparing to land an New York when the power went out at the airport. no lights, no radar, no comms.  They had to divert to another airport and were nearly out of fuel when they eventually landed.  The real incident also pre dated the 747 coming into service And the flight was actually Scandinavian 911

 

[Geoff1946]

That Saxon song was about a real flight that was preparing to land an New York when the power went out at the airport. no lights, no radar, no comms.  They had to divert to another airport and were nearly out of fuel when they eventually landed.  The real incident also pre dated the 747 coming into service And the flight was actually Scandinavian 911

Crikey! A major airport with no power backup?  Or was there a multiple failure?

 

[ProDave]

It was in 1965 and the incident provoked a lot of changes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/747_(Strangers_in_the_Night)

 

[Geoff1946]

Brilliant. Thank you, it's not a story I had heard. Even so 1965 seems late for a major airport to have NO backup of either lighting or radio.

(And the OP is thinking "What the hell are this lot rambling on about?")

 

[Andy™]

heard that song many times but not really looked into its story