fitting downlights

[deuce22]

Hi.

I had some down lights fitted a few days ago and I have had a couple of issues with them.

The RCD kept tripping every time the light was turned on and one of the spots flickered before turning off.

I took it down to check and the connection block had melted.

The way they have been connected is: The first spot is connected to the switch and then another cable goes to the other spot. It is then connected using a connection block. It has one cable in one side, another cable the other side (going to the next light) and also another cable connecting the spot.

Is this correct and is there a reason why the block melted.

Thanks.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I had some down lights fitted a few days ago

So why not get the guy who fitted them back to sort it out?

The RCD kept tripping every time the light was turned on and one of the spots flickered before turning off.

But you could turn the RCD back on, and it would stay on, and the lights would work?

The way they have been connected is: The first spot is connected to the switch and then another cable goes to the other spot. It is then connected using a connection block. It has one cable in one side, another cable the other side (going to the next light) and also another cable connecting the spot.

Is this correct

Hard to say - your description doesn't actually describe how they care connected from an electrical circuit POV.

and is there a reason why the block melted.

Connections not tight?
Block and/or cable(s) used not large enough to carry the current?
Connector block too close to or touching the lights?

Was the block in an enclosure, or just loose?

I had some down lights fitted a few days ago

By whom?

Why did he not test them?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I had some down lights fitted a few days ago and I have had a couple of issues with them.

call the installer!

The RCD kept tripping every time the light was turned on and one of the spots flickered before turning off..

That could be down to a number of reasons, did the MCB of the circuit trip out also?

I took it down to check and the connection block had melted.

That could be down to loose connection

The way they have been connected is: The first spot is connected to the switch and then another cable goes to the other spot. It is then connected using a connection block. It has one cable in one side, another cable the other side (going to the next light) and also another cable connecting the spot.
Is this correct and is there a reason why the block melted.

If you mean that the you have a string of cable between lights, then at each light there is a choc box or junction box where three cables are entering a choc/junction box and one of those cables is going to the fittings individually, it can be done that way. Melting likely to be down to loose connection

 

[deuce22]

Thanks guy's for the help.

From what you have said, it seems like the electrician has done something. It did seem like he was really rushing and kept going on about how much pressure with work he has.

He'd just used connection blocks which were exposed.

The MCB and RCD was tripping every time I tried to switch those particular lights on.

I thought he had tested them. They were fine for about 3 days.

I'm not going to use him again. I'll try and get someone else to sort them.

Cheers.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

He'd just used connection blocks which were exposed.

That's a no no, they must be in enclosures, such as choc boxes if connectors are being used.

The MCB and RCD was tripping every time I tried to switch those particular lights on.
I thought he had tested them. They were fine for about 3 days.

They often are okay for short time but once the conductors start to get warm and cool down, leading to expansions and contractions, the conductors if not tightened correctly, can become loose and arc, which will generate heat that is melting the plastic connectors.

I'm not going to use him again. I'll try and get someone else to sort them.

I would at least contact him with your issues and ask him to resolve them in away you would expect a competent electrician to do.

Do you have an photos of the work you can upload and post?
Also is he a member of a domestic scheme provider?
and in what room were these lights fitted?