flurosecent strip lights

[gmp1960]

why have the 3 strip lights in my garage all stopped working at the same time - there is still power going to them

 

[Spark123]

Dunno, if there is still power to them (240v L-N) then try a new tube and a new starter.

 

[sparkwright]

why have the 3 strip lights in my garage all stopped working at the same time - there is still power going to them

how do you know there's power going to them?

have you got 230 V between live and neutral at each one/the last one?

what tester are you using?

could be a live fault or a neutral fault remember.

or something else.

 

[electronicsuk]

Did you test using a neon screwdriver by any chance? Or perhaps between L-E rather than L-N with a meter?

 

[sparkwright]

if you're using a neon voltstick they are very misleading and cannot be relied upon.

 

[Steve]

why have the 3 strip lights in my garage all stopped working at the same time - there is still power going to them

Just one fitting? or 3 fittings?

Are they switch-start? Or electronic?

How do you know power is there? Have you tested?

Is there a fuse? Or fused switch?

 

[gmp1960]

Hi All - thanks for the responses - I'm a bit of a duffer when it comes to electrics so bear with me.

I have 3 separate strip lights in the garage, operated by one switch. A few months ago, problems began when they began to take ages to switch on - they eventually stopped switching on altogether.
A couple of days ago, they started working again without me touching them, now they have stopped again.

So I am assuming the power is ok - someone mentioned that it could be a starter motor - does it sound like it could be that.

Thanks again all for your help it's most appreciated.

 

[electronicsuk]

Did you test using a neon screwdriver by any chance? Or perhaps between L-E rather than L-N with a meter?

Just one fitting? or 3 fittings?

Are they switch-start? Or electronic?

How do you know power is there? Have you tested?

Is there a fuse? Or fused switch?

Come on, throw us a bone, there's not a lot new in your last post. Assuming power is getting to the fittings really isn't much use.

 

[Spark123]

A starter motor is what you have in a car

A fluorescent starter is the small tubular device which plugs in the side of a switch start type fitting, you need to rotate it anti clockwise and it will pull out.
Some old fittings had them hidden inside instead.

 

[Steve]

Try changing the starters. If that doesnt cure the problem, try re-lamping the units. Though starters and lamps should be changed together. They are cheap enough (10p for a starter, couple of quid for a lamp)

If the lamps are turning darker at the ends, they should be changed soon.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Seems unlikely that all 3 separate ones would fail/go on the blink/temporarily recover etc all in unison....

gmp - how long have you had these lights in place? Long enough to have been through a winter already?

 

[gmp1960]

Hi All - as you can see I am a genuine duffer

The lights have been in situ for about 5/6 years without having been replaced and yes, they either all come on in sequence or don't come on at all - that's why i'm (perhaps stupidly!!) assuming that power is not the issue but it's something to do with the lights themselves

I'll try changing the starters and see where that takes me.

Thanks again everyone

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[gmp1960]

cheers holmslaw - will try that also