As I switched the lights on there was a small pop and flash (not sure whether it was the switch, the bulb or the circuit board though) and the lights didn't come on. (it's a modern circuit board, the trip switch is marked B6 Gw 92205 MT60 GEWISS)
The bathroom has 4 downlighter things (240v GU10) one bulb was already died and not yet replaced for the last 2 months 😳 so I figure a second bulb has died and tripped the switch at the same time. Which is what appears to have happened- a second dead bulb.
I've tried resetting the bathroom trip with the recently deceased bulb in situ and removed but it makes no difference the trip switch wont stay down (now theres only 2 of the four downlighters with bulbs in).
Any ideas please - I can't bear to have the landlord round he's a total, total XXXXX, and who hassles me about keeping a bike in the bedroom 🙄
Heeelp Me!! please
take out all the bulbs in the bathroom; then try it again - if it still stays off then the fault is with the wiring, or a different bulb somewhere.
Take the dud GU 10's out There may be debris shorting inside.
Are the gu 10's on a track? Fuses in the track? Corrosion causing a short?
Get the landlord to fix it, thats why you pay them.
Thanks for the replies,
I took out all the bulbs, pretty sure there are no other bulbs on the circuit.
Checked all the fittings for shorts, corrossion and debris but they look fine.
All the lights are those sunk into the ceiling type with no track.
There are two fuse switches outside the bathroom one for the heated towel rail and I guess the other might be for the lights since the shower is not electric. I tried switching the fuses between the switches and no change, though I can't say I've ever used the towel rail so I will find a fuse that I know works to retest this.
Have I missed anything?
Now tested with a fuse I know to be working - still no joy, no windows in the bathroom just an extractor fan (also not working)
I will tell the misses we will be having an open bathroom door policy until the w/e!!
Maybe the switch has failed? This may have caused the flash and tripped the mcb. The switch now wont work and therefore the lights will not switch on.
Another possibility at least but no way to easily check unless you replace the switch, or get your multimeter out, not really something you should do if you have no idea what you're doing.
Just call the landlord, you pay rent and its his responsibility.
right, try turning the fuse on at the fuseboard. If it wont turn on , then go upstairs, and operate the switch you normally use for
turning on the lights. Then try the fuseboards again. It will hopefully turn on. It wont have been the bulbs causing it to trip repeatedly...
The cause is most like ly something to do with a transformer... Either just faulty, or often the bulbs melt the plastc wires, (they get very hot), causing a short circuit... So your options are to look at the transformers, and if one is burnt disconnect it. If not then it gets a bit more tricky. you will have to disconnect them all until it goes back on (hopefully. Oh and look at the connections as well.
id be amazed if it is the switch... they just tend to stop working... unless they are dimmers. I forgot to say, if you check transformers etc, make sure you turn the mcb off ( at the fuseboard). I sadly do this for a living, and am actually on call now..
or yeah, if you can survive tonight, call the landlord and tell him to send an electrician round. It may even be a rodent or something has chewed a wire (happens alot).
Thanks for your help, tried all your suggestions but it's still tripping - I will contact buggalugs tomorrow ( after "sanitizing" the flat first of course! 😆 )
Sounds like a wire has come adrift in the switch, probably working loose then burnt through & shorting out on something. Knock off the bathroom circuit & pop off the switch cover to have a look.
Did the bathroom circuit trip when it happened ?
My shower did the same a year or so back.
The down lighters will come down from the ceiling with a pull (they are held in place with spring clips).
With the power off pull down the light unit and check the wiring (loose cable or exposed cables)
If they are in the bath room they should be zone 1/2 rated and have a rubber rand to prevent moisture getting to the connections.
Expose any transformers and smell them, sounds daft i know but if they have gone, well in my experience they will smell of burnt tin.
Check all this and post back here.
Opened up the switch (its a twin one for the lights and one for the extractor fan) and all looks good - no melting or signs of shorting. The bathroom circuit tripped when i used the switch.
I tried to get the transformers out but no luck.... no rubber band thing either! Looks like a job for the LL and a profesional - thanks for your replies all 😉
This obviously goes without saying but do not tell him you tried to fix it yourself. Definitely worth leaving to the trained monkeys.