Strange Florescent Light Problem

[madman41]

Hi all, I've put our kitchen light fitting up , as shown in photo, and it seems to be constantly blowing tubes, i thought this could of been a bad ballast, so i replaced the fitting with a brand new identical one, and exactly the same problem ?
This is the fitting and my wiring

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• madman41
• 14 Jul 2013
• 1

Also when starting the light it seems to stay like this for a while, bearing in mind i've tried 6 different starters ,

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• madman41
• 14 Jul 2013
• 1

Orange is starter.

ANy ideas? Thanks
madman41

 

[securespark]

The light fitting may be new, but the tube does not look like it is.

The bit next to the plastic is black, indicating a worn-out tube.

Best to change the starter too.

Also, make sure the starter is rated for the tube.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Can we have a better picture of both connector blocks?

They don't LOOK right.

 

[madman41]

Will get some more snaps in the morning , and that was a new tube two days ago believe it or not, and the starter is new too.

 

[Spark123]

Looks older than two days, given the dust and fingerprints on it! It wasn't an old one laying about was it?
Make sure the ballast is the right size for the tube, new tube and new starter and you should be good to go.

 

[madman41]

that specific bulb is new bulb , old stock , but was not black whatsoever when we put it in , we have been through numerous bulbs, and starters, and this is the second fitting. I am baffled

 

[Iggifer]

maybe its a bad batch of tubes?

Go and buy a different brand one and see what happens. If they're old and temperature abused they might be no good.

 

[madman41]

Tried it Previous was a SYLVANIA , thats a eterna, also used a philips in previous fitting.

 

[dannyboi2003]

Are you absolutely sure your buying the right wattage tube as you can get the large ones in two wattages, 40 and 60watts. Read what it says on the ballast and make sure it's the right wattage your using, same goes for the starter too.

 

[madman41]

60W Ballast , 60W Tubes , 60W Osram starters.

 

[mfarrow]

I'd say you've got your neutral hooked up to the earth.

 

[Iggifer]

I'd say you've got your neutral hooked up to the earth.

it certainly doesnt look like that from the photo, the cpc is in the middle terminal which connects to the body, this doesnt rule out a swapped neutral and cpc somewhere else back down the line though

 

[mfarrow]

On the 4-way, left to right on the house side, there's definitely 2 reds going to way 3, and what appears to be a black going to way 2 (the CPC on the tail). It could of course just be the switch live returning and going to way 1, but at this stage unless the OP's got a serious flaw in the voltage of his domestics, or not the whole truth has been told, then one has to ask the question.

 

[Iggifer]

your eyes are better than mine!

 

[JohnW2]

your eyes are better than mine!

...and mine! Maybe we both need to visit Specsavers

Kind Regards, John