Replacing Transformers For Bathroom Spots

[Crispin77]

Hi

I'm an electrical novice so hope I'm ok posting here. The spots in my bathroom have been going one by one. Changing the halogen bulbs does nothing so thought I wojld try changing one of the transformers to see if this was the problem. In removing the old one found that the junctions on the wires from the transformer were burnt out. Replaced the old transformer with a new one that seems to be pretty much the same, wired it up and when tried it it tripped the bathroom circuit.

Both transformers are SELV, old one is 20VA-60VA 230 v 50 hz cos=0.99 sec 11.6v eff max.4.9A

New one is 20-60w 230-240v 50 hz 0.26A cos=0.99 sec 11.5v rms max.5A 10-60W

Any help much appreciated.

 

[Blue Duck]

bin the transformers and fit good quality 240v gu10 LED's! you may need to also purchase some gu10 lampholders but then you will not have to worry about changing lamps for some time!

didn't read post properly! Doh!

maybe you have wired it wrong or there is another loose conNecton somewhere???

 

[Andy™]

the MR16 connector is usually the problem, not the transformer. if it now trips and not before, you have probably wired the transformer the wrong way

 

[ProDave]

+1 to the above.

If you have wired the transformer the wrong way (input and output reversed) it's probably goosed the new transformer.

MR 16's are the work of the devil. Tiny little pins carrying much more current than a mains lamp, and they burn out. Some lamp holders are better than others, but it's just varying degrees of rubbish.

I would bit the bullet and upgrade the whole lot to mains voltage GU10 LED lamps.

 

[Crispin77]

Many thanks for your help all. Looks like an upgrade to gu10s is in the offing. Much appreciated.

 

[Crispin77]

Just thinking, the transformers are wired into junction boxes. Can I wire gu10s straight into those? Or should I get a pro in? Done a little bit or wiring stuff in before but want to be safe. Thanks again.

 

[Hefferl]

+1 to the above.

If you have wired the transformer the wrong way (input and output reversed) it's probably goosed the new transformer.

MR 16's are the work of the devil. Tiny little pins carrying much more current than a mains lamp, and they burn out. Some lamp holders are better than others, but it's just varying degrees of rubbish.

I would bit the bullet and upgrade the whole lot to mains voltage GU10 LED lamps.

Is it ok to just replace MR16 lamp holders with GU10 lamp holders though?

I'm thinking that the fitting may need earthing as a result of the change?

 

[Andy™]

only class 1 downlights ive ever seen are fire rated, almost every other type (including some fire rated) are class 2

 

[ProDave]

I installed some fire rated GU10's last week. They were class 2 in spite of the 2 core flex passing through a hole in the metal can of the fitting.  Well the manufacturer says class 2 and no earth needed so who am I to argue that I can see a possible fault condition that could cause the body to become live?

 

[Bruspark]

Isn't that why they introduced the high temperature braided sleeve the lamp sockets now come with - to provide the second / safety insulation layer?

 

[Essex1]

Are you kidding?

 

[Sidewinder]

Product standards will take care of products, so unless you are modifying them in the field to convert them, or otherwise alter them from the OEM design then any of the details of the manufacture is irrelevant as long as the OEM provides a DoC for the product in compliance with the LVD & the CEMD.

If the OEM does not provide the correct paperwork then the product is illegal for sale anyway!

 

[Andy™]

most downlights are identical anyway, only difference between voltages is a different connector in the box. some even come with both anyway