I fitted a new light at the weekend, it is a B & Q Deka Energy Saving 4 Fold Bar Spotlight but there is an odd smell coming from it. I am struggling to place the smell, my best description is that is an almost antiseptic/hospital like smell, sounds odd I know.
I have had a look on the internet but the smells discussed seem to either be burning or a fish smell. I was a bit worried that the wiring was burning but I have taken it down and all connections are tight and there is no sign of burning. I have replaced a fair few light fittings before with no problems, although I must admit I lost track of the switched live when fitting this one, but identified it again using a multimeter. It also seems to smell when it is off as well, and just for good measure I turned the power off to the downstairs lights ring when I went to work, came home in the evening and it had still left a smell!
So after pondering what else could be the problem I took the bulbs out, there were supplied with the light so really they should be correct. This seems to be where the problem is coming from, if I sniff the plastic towards the end where the contacts are contacts it smells quite strongly of this "antiseptic", more strongly if it has been on recently. It has 4 * GU10 Energy saving bulbs, they look like they have a fluorescent tube inside, like the normal energy saving bulbs you get.
Don't know if it matters but I should also say that it was a fluorescent tube light (not sure if that is the right name but the long horizontal to ceiling tube type light), that I replaced.
What is causing this? Is it a fault and should I worry about it? If it is nothing to worry about will the smell "burn off" from the bulbs with use and go away?
Thanks,
Tom
I have had a look on the internet but the smells discussed seem to either be burning or a fish smell. I was a bit worried that the wiring was burning but I have taken it down and all connections are tight and there is no sign of burning. I have replaced a fair few light fittings before with no problems, although I must admit I lost track of the switched live when fitting this one, but identified it again using a multimeter. It also seems to smell when it is off as well, and just for good measure I turned the power off to the downstairs lights ring when I went to work, came home in the evening and it had still left a smell!
So after pondering what else could be the problem I took the bulbs out, there were supplied with the light so really they should be correct. This seems to be where the problem is coming from, if I sniff the plastic towards the end where the contacts are contacts it smells quite strongly of this "antiseptic", more strongly if it has been on recently. It has 4 * GU10 Energy saving bulbs, they look like they have a fluorescent tube inside, like the normal energy saving bulbs you get.
Don't know if it matters but I should also say that it was a fluorescent tube light (not sure if that is the right name but the long horizontal to ceiling tube type light), that I replaced.
What is causing this? Is it a fault and should I worry about it? If it is nothing to worry about will the smell "burn off" from the bulbs with use and go away?
Thanks,
Tom