OK I have spot lights in my kitchen and for some reason they are not working. I changed the bulb but still no joy. Then sometimes they flicker and come back on. I know this is a one in a million shot, but can anyone help me please? (if I haven't given enough info apologies in advance....)
Ceiling spotlights not spotting light down
- Thread starter Mina131
- Start date
It sounds like a loose connection, somewhere.
Start at the easy places, like the switch, could be loose there.
Are they 12v or 230v lamps?
If 12v do they have a transformer for each fitting or is there one big transformer for the lot.
If they are all out then its something common to all lights eg a fault near the start of the wiring.
Then you need to find out where the wiring run is; probably in your ceiling. Start pulling out the light fittings and see if you can find a loose joint somewhere. With them down you should be able to work out where the start of the circuit is.
If it has been done properly then all of the junction boxes should be accessible.
PS, don't forget to turn off the supply before you start messing around with any electrical wiring - especially if (like yours) its suspect!!
Start at the easy places, like the switch, could be loose there.
Are they 12v or 230v lamps?
If 12v do they have a transformer for each fitting or is there one big transformer for the lot.
If they are all out then its something common to all lights eg a fault near the start of the wiring.
Then you need to find out where the wiring run is; probably in your ceiling. Start pulling out the light fittings and see if you can find a loose joint somewhere. With them down you should be able to work out where the start of the circuit is.
If it has been done properly then all of the junction boxes should be accessible.
PS, don't forget to turn off the supply before you start messing around with any electrical wiring - especially if (like yours) its suspect!!
Check your bulb wattage - I've inherited a set of poorly installed 12v downlights (i.e., can't get at the junction boxes and suspect the ceiling will have to suffer quite badly if I'm to change the transformer).
After replacing two 'original' (previous owner's) bulbs with 50W tesco jobs those two plus a third in the same row are now turning themselves after a couple of minutes (the other three on the same switch are fine). Though the fittings say "50W max" the three problem lights seem to come on a fraction slower, and having fished the old bulb out of the bin I seem to have discarded 20's. I'm hoping that some mail-order low-wattage bulbs will be save the ceiling, perhaps the same goes for you?
After replacing two 'original' (previous owner's) bulbs with 50W tesco jobs those two plus a third in the same row are now turning themselves after a couple of minutes (the other three on the same switch are fine). Though the fittings say "50W max" the three problem lights seem to come on a fraction slower, and having fished the old bulb out of the bin I seem to have discarded 20's. I'm hoping that some mail-order low-wattage bulbs will be save the ceiling, perhaps the same goes for you?
Aye. The fittings may be OK for up to 50watt but the transformer will have a max load.
As above, if the system is designed for 20W lamps and someone has been putting in 50's.
Take several lamps out and see if it works then.
You havent told us if it is 12v lamps
As above, if the system is designed for 20W lamps and someone has been putting in 50's.
Take several lamps out and see if it works then.
You havent told us if it is 12v lamps
Think I mislead you. They're not all dead just four (3 are fine).
They're 12v at 50w. I made sure I got the same as the one that died. But not long after replacing one, then another died and another! (It shall soon be very dark in my kitchen.)
If there are separate transformers would these be small enough to fit into the hole?
Thanks so much for the help.
They're 12v at 50w. I made sure I got the same as the one that died. But not long after replacing one, then another died and another! (It shall soon be very dark in my kitchen.)
If there are separate transformers would these be small enough to fit into the hole?
Thanks so much for the help.
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
