Lighting Problem

[Jimrabbit]

Last night all of our lights went out. My son came into the room where I was and said that the bulb had blown in the bathroom when he turned it on.

I checked the consumer unit and found that the mcb had not tripped. I turned it off and then on again, with no result. Still no lights. At this point I was assuming that the mcb had failed. If there was a fault on the lighting circuit I would have assumed that the mcb should do it's job and trip the circuit and refuse to go on.

In a perfect world I would get a sparky in and pay him to sort out this problem but, money being very tight, I can't do this at the moment. So, I am in the dark, in more ways than one.

I thought about getting a replacement mcb. I am more than capable of replacing a like for like part. Then it occurred to me that it might be more of a problem than that. Any advice would be very appreciated before I go down this route.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Are you certain that the bathroom light actually is powered from the lighting circuit?

I have seen several places where the bathroom lighting is fed from a ring circuit through a fused spur - hidden somewhere.
When the bulb goes it takes out the fuse in the fused spur. So hunt around for anything like THIS - it may be in the loft.....

 

[Jimrabbit]

We have one lighting circuit on the cu. They are all off. Can't see anything like what you describe and the bathroom lights are definitely on the one lighting circuit.

 

[conny]

Are you sure there is no other mcb that may have tripped?
Try resetting again but make sure there is no bulb in the bathroom and it is switched off.

 

[securespark]

I have had this issue where a blown lamp has caused disturbance to a loose connection in the associated fitting. Could this be the cause here?

 

[Jimrabbit]

There is no other mcb on the circuit. I have removed the blown bulb. The mcb is not tripping but all of the lights in the place are off. We live in a flat and there is only one lighting circuit.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Do you have a multimeter? First is to check that there is 230V coming out of the MCB.
Its very rare for an MCB to fail, but its possible.

Otherwise it looks like an electrician is required.

 

[Jimrabbit]

Hi Again

Been at work all day.

I've pulled out the mcb and made the connections into it safe. Don't have a multimeter so I'm off to get a new mcb. They are only about four quid. If that doesn't work and it's not a failed mcb then I'll just have to bite the bullet and find the money for an electrician.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. Will let you know what happens tomorrow.

 

[Jimrabbit]

Oh, by the way Securespark, I checked the bathroom fitting when I got home today and it looks ok. I fitted it myself a few years back and I am familiar with it.

 

[RF Lighting]

I bet you a hundred quid there's nothing wrong with the circuit breaker.

There never is.

Save your £4 and put it towards buying a multimeter.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I've pulled out the mcb and made the connections into it safe.

How many were there?

Don't have a multimeter

You cannot do electrical work without a screwdriver, a pair of scissors and a multimeter.

 

[securespark]

I bet you a hundred quid there's nothing wrong with the circuit breaker.

There never is.

Save your £4 and put it towards buying a multimeter.

Actually.......I've had three failed MCB's in as many years, one Geiwess, one Hager and one GET.

 

[Adam_151]

When ever I have had a failed MCB, its always been obvious. Normally the breaker won't reset, instead will suddenly just go 'slack' when you try and reset it ans drop back down.

Never had one which is on on position but remaining open circuit.

Even had some which once switched off would not physically move back to on, and attempting to actually broke the opperating handle off! (but they were old federal mcbs from the 1960's)

 

[Jimrabbit]

Hello All

Re-read all the comments/suggestions today and had a bit of a think.

As I said before, I'm not an electrician, just someone who can't afford one. I know a bit about electrics and I'm intelligent enough to not meddle with them too much when I don't know what's wrong.

I can install light fittings. Installed a couple of electric showers and some outside lights. I'm fine when it's like for like replacements - just make absolutely sure it's the right part and work backwards and then forwards again. If in any doubt at all get someone who knows what they're doing.

So, when an entire electrical circuit goes out I'm out of my comfort zone. I could imagine a lot of reasons why that might happen and some of them are not good.

Anyway, as I said, I calmed down and re-read all the advice you lot have given me and went through it logically. This brought me back to the bathroom light fitting, which seemed to be where the problem started in the first place with the blown bulb.

1. Removed the fitting and junction blocked the cores.
2. Fitted the supposedly faulty mcb back in the cu.
3. Turned on the power.

My day then brightened considerably as all of the lights then came back on.

4. Took another closer look at the 3 light bathroom fitting, shook it and some minute bits of filament/metal dropped out of one of the bulb holders.
5. Decided that the fitting was suspect and chucked it in the bin. Went out and bought a new one.
6. Turned off the power, put the new fitting in, and turned it back on.

All lights now, incuding the bathroom, back on. Cost me £17.

I was on the verge of getting an electrician in and paying money I can't spare to have this problem sorted out. I can't even tell you how grateful I am for the advice and help.

Thank You

Richie

 

[conny]

Thanks for the reply Jimrabbit. So often people ask for advice and then don't bother to come back and tell anyone the final outcome.
Much appreciated.