New here and don't know where to post this? Electrics prob

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Edam

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Hi.

We have some wall lights in the conservatory - 2 pairs. One pair blows when you turn the light on. We have had a look at the wiring and it looks sound. There doesn't have to be a light bulb in for it to explode!

Any clues?

Thanks
 
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Old or new? Has it ever worked?
Could just be a faulty fitting - I have known heat build up in the lamp fitting to make the wire go crispy and short out.
 
the fittings are about 12 months old and have worked fine in that time. There is no problem with the other pair worked by the same switch.

Even without a bulb, after about 10 secs it 'explodes' and if the kitchen lights are on (that being adjoined to the conservatory) they go too and we have to go the box to reset it.
 
Any sign of water ingress?
Sounds like something has happened to the fitting.
 
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If both lights are worked by the same switch, how do you know the other one works properly? Is the switch actually two switches next to each other? In either case it could be the switch that's a fault. And thought the wiring may look all right to the untutored eye doesn't mean it is - obviously here's something wrong to keep tripping the circuit breaker.

PJ
 
Wouldn't have a lamp holder with moths, flies and dust in it ?

(you mention no bulb, so could some sort of beastie be helping to short the circuit ?)
 
Thanks for your replies.

The two sets work off the same single light switch. The bulbs are still working in those for the 10 second hiatus before the other one trips.

No water ingress, dust or mites that are detectable.

Agree though it MUST be something to do with the wiring.
 
CAREFULLY remove the light switch. Take a picture of the switch and any wiring in the back box and post it back on here.
 
If you have not got any test equipment,, work by elimination.
Switch off the circuit at the mains box.
Remove the "faulty" lamp holder unit, leaving its wires exposed but not touching.
(Keep little fingers well away or ideally fit a choc bloc and cover)
Switch mains back on.
Switch on at wall switch.
Does anything still "blow"?
If not, then it is the lamp fitting or its connection at fault.

Come back if the circuit still blows, and a process of further elimination can start.
 
D

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