23 lamps in a month BLOWN! carrier bags full of lamps blown over the past six months

[ianbrookes]

I have been asked to look at a problem for a customer.

they have had 23 lamps blow in the last month - they haven't replaced them as they say some blow almost immediately.

I plan to do a visual inspection of the lamps holders, wiring, switches etc and then some testing on the circuits and supply.

It looks like the house has been extended several years ago and the new lights (GU10's) are not blowing.

has anyone ever seen anything on this scale before ? apart from crappy lamps, loose connections, bad lamps holders etc what should I be testing for.

I had a quick look at the supply and I was a bit confused as it looks like PME, but there is also an earth stake(s) outside connected to an earth bar along with the PME.

THX.

 

[telectrix]

Re: 23 lamps in a month BLOWN! carrier bags full of lamps blown over the past six mo

think you've covered it. let us know what you find. voltage spikes on supply might be the answer.

 

[needasparks]

Re: 23 lamps in a month BLOWN! carrier bags full of lamps blown over the past six mo

Didn't someone on here mention the use of dimmers on gu10's limit the life or such, something about lamp not getting to temp and self cleaning. but my money is on tesco's own brand lamps lol

 

[alarm man]

Re: 23 lamps in a month BLOWN! carrier bags full of lamps blown over the past six mo

could be a poltergeist...

 

[Marvo]

Re: 23 lamps in a month BLOWN! carrier bags full of lamps blown over the past six mo

If it's only happening on one circuit then my money would be on a bad connection somewhere.

 

[needasparks]

Re: 23 lamps in a month BLOWN! carrier bags full of lamps blown over the past six mo

Thinking about Marvo's comment is Checking the lamps really have blown an idea.

 

[swparksey]

Re: 23 lamps in a month BLOWN! carrier bags full of lamps blown over the past six mo

Wow that is a lot of lamps, don't forget to let us know what you find
I had a problem with a extension blowing GU10's once, turned out to be a heat problem, with the builder installing the electrics, and covering them in thermal. They would just go after a week or so

 

[Knobhead]

Re: 23 lamps in a month BLOWN! carrier bags full of lamps blown over the past six mo

my money is on tesco's own brand lamps lol

Cheapskate customer's, all ways a good suspect!

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Re: 23 lamps in a month BLOWN! carrier bags full of lamps blown over the past six mo

The main suspects are:
1) Poor quality lamps.
2) Over-voltage, +5% over-voltage will more than halve the life expectancy of the lamp.
3) Loose connections.
4) Poor quality lamp holders, particularly batten fittings.
5) Power quality, surges, noise and harmonics can all shorten the life expectancy of the lamp.

 

[aiden251181]

Re: 23 lamps in a month BLOWN! carrier bags full of lamps blown over the past six mo

ive had same problem where i work, gu10's blowing constantly, they were installed by a contractor and were on dimmers, there were 2 loose connections i found this didnt solve the problem although they lasted slightly longer afterwards, so took the dimmers out, also didnt solve the problem so i replaced the lamps with LED lamps and hey presto they've not blown since.