Downlighters won't turn off!!

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31 Aug 2014
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Location
Cornwall
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United Kingdom
The room has 10 low voltage downlighters, and two-way switches. They worked normally until yesterday. Now, switch them off and they stay on, either switch. Any ideas?
 
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Assuming you haven't altered any of the wiring, I would guess one of the switches has packed up.
 
Hi,

Ive had that before after an heavy storm and was indeed water ingress but as its summer (although it is the UK so who knows) I would go with Sparks and say one of the switches has packed up. Assuming you haven't touch anything. :D
 
Assuming you haven't altered any of the wiring, I would guess one of the switches has packed up.
It can't be quite as simple as that, can it? Given that there is 2-way switching, even if one of the switches had got stuck in one position, the other one would still work OK, wouldn't it? For both switches to stick suddenly, and simultaneously, would surely be 'a co-incidence too far'?

Kind Regards, John
 
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Thanks for your suggestions.

No, I didn't alter anything. Just left the lights on for an hour.

I've replaced both switches - still the same. Lights permanently on.
 
Thanks for your suggestions. No, I didn't alter anything. Just left the lights on for an hour. I've replaced both switches - still the same. Lights permanently on.
Interesting and strange. Do I take it that the lights (and switches) had been working satisfactorily for a long time before this happened?

If nothing has been changed/done recently (including putting nails/screws into walls!), it sounds as if something has gone fundamentally wrong with the wiring, and I think you will probably need an electrician to get to the bottom of it.

Kind Regards, John
 
Thanks all - problem solved.

I'm an idiot - I put a screw through the door frame into the cable.
 
Oh dear, the cable shouldn't have been behind anything in the door frame!

Issue now is that you need to remove that part of the frame to access and repair the cable. Leaving it as it is is not an option, as the cable is damaged.
 
Thanks all - problem solved. I'm an idiot - I put a screw through the door frame into the cable.
Glad you've discovered the cause - it must be one of my more psychic days!...
If nothing has been changed/done recently (including putting nails/screws into walls!) ....
You were obviously fairly lucky not to get a shock, in that the screw obviously must have hit a live conductor (and another one). You now presumably have the problem of replacing or repairing the damaged cable - how are you going to do that?

Kind Regards, John
 

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