Bathroom lights goone - downlights - what do I do!?

[OM2]

My bathroom lights have goone

We've got downlights

There are 4 lights, all have goone together and won't turn on

What do I do?

I'm assuming that it must be a blown fuse somehwere?
And that it can't be all 4 bulbs gone at the exact same time?
The main switch box doesn't have any switches down

In the attic, there are long brown boxes, similar to this:

Any replies would be great

Thanks


OM

 

[ban-all-sheds]

1 transformer per light? If so it's unlikely that all 4 packed up at exactly the same time.

You need to trace the cabling, looking for a connection that's come adrift - start at the switch and confirm that there's power there.

A multimeter will probably be useful.

 

[Chri5]

Transformers, one per light or a larger item with multi lamp connections?

I take it the other rooms on the same lighting circuit are working, have you checked the switch or pull cord?

If you isolate the circuit, prove it is isolated and then join the switch wires together, power up and they work- then the switch is the fault.

You really need to get in the loft and do a survey, feed back the number of lights, the make / model / details on the transformer, and how the lights are wired to them.

Did it just fail, or could someone have disturbed a cable in the loft?

 

[OM2]

1 transformer per light? If so it's unlikely that all 4 packed up at exactly the same time.

You need to trace the cabling, looking for a connection that's come adrift - start at the switch and confirm that there's power there.

A multimeter will probably be useful.

thanks for the reply
yes: 1 transformer per light

>> "looking for a connection that's come adrift"
erm... you mean like a loose wire?

>> "A multimeter will probably be useful"
what's that?

ALSO: the ceiling above the bathroom, i can get to
but what if i had similar problems in the kitchen or downstairs toilet?
i can't think how i would access the ceiling above without breaking the ceiling!!

thanks

 

[Chri5]

The light fittings pull out (skill is required to get them out without screwing up the ceiling). You then have a hand sized hole and mostly the transformer will be adjacent to the light.

You need to look at what I've already mentioned, and haven't answered. If you don't have a meter, and wouldn't know how to use one then all you can o is the switch test I mentioned, a touch light inspection and if nothing shows up, call in someone for appointed visit. Appointed means no call out, simple start cost and hourly rate.

 

[OM2]

thanks chrisc

>> "You need to look at what I've already mentioned, and haven't answered"
sorry... which part didn't i answer? let me know
i'm a bit clueless and dumb here - so apologies for that
i'll go up to the loft a little later and look at the switches

thanks

 

[ban-all-sheds]

erm... you mean like a loose wire?

Yes.

what's that?

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=multimeter+101


As important to have as the right screwdrivers.

ALSO: the ceiling above the bathroom, i can get to
but what if i had similar problems in the kitchen or downstairs toilet?
i can't think how i would access the ceiling above without breaking the ceiling!!

Well, IF you had a failed connection above a ceiling which you could not access from above, then there would be 4 options open to you:

• Cut into the ceiling
• Rewire the affected part of the circuit with the new cables clipped to the surface
• Live without the lighting
• Magic

 

[OM2]

ban-all-sheds: thanks for a great reply

 

[Luckyphil]

Easiest thing to check is the Switch , maybe a loose Connection in there ........ ISOLATE 1ST ............. ie SWITCH OFF at CONSUMER UNIT

Lucky

 

[riveralt]

The bit you didn't answer is whether any other lights on that circuit are not working.
Lighting circuits are radial (they follow each other in the circuit)- if there is a break in the circuit none of the lights after the break will work.
Provided your downlights are not at the end of the circuit this answer will give us a clue as to the nature of your fault.
Your downlights could have been wired in several ways.
All four could be fed from a single junction box that acts like a ceiling rose with power coming in (and going out to the next ceiling rose unless it is the last light on the circuit) and a switch wire going to the wall switch.
So as others have said you are likely to have a break in the circuit either at the switch or depending on how they are wired at the junction box in the loft. Either way you are going to have to open the switch or junction box to find out.
If you do not feel comfortable or confident in doing this - leave well alone and contact an electrician. Otherwise make sure the power is of and proved before you open anything.
Look here how lighting circuits work:

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:lighting_circuit_layouts

By the way if those lights are the same type (adjustable) as the ones in your bathroom then it is unlikely that they are IP rated - and will be unsuitable for bathrooms.

 

[OM2]

By the way if those lights are the same type (adjustable) as the ones in your bathroom then it is unlikely that they are IP rated - and will be unsuitable for bathrooms.

thanks for the reply. that helps a lot
don't understand what u mean about being adjustable/suitable lights?

all other lights in other rooms are working fine
just the four in the bathroom isn't working
(does that answer?)

thanks

 

[ban-all-sheds]

don't understand what u mean about being adjustable/suitable lights?

These lights are the "eyeball" type where you can adjust the positioning.

Unlikely to be suitable for bathrooms.

all other lights in other rooms are working fine
just the four in the bathroom isn't working

So you need to check the switch - look for loose connections, and check that you have a permanent live and that the switch works.

 

[sparkybird]

Are the lights on a dimmer by any chance? As others have said, if all 4 went at the same time, I'd check the switch dimmer first....

 

[OM2]

Are the lights on a dimmer by any chance? As others have said, if all 4 went at the same time, I'd check the switch dimmer first....

DOH!!!!!
ok... i know the switch was mentioned in the first reply and then mentioned again a few times - i was reading, but my brain was't taking it in

i understand now: look at the dimmer switch first!

i'll do this tmrw

thanks guys