Ceiling strip light stopped working.

[Arbu]

I have a ceiling light in my kitchen, which I think you'd call strip lighting. It has a central unit which contains a transformer, and two long thin bars that project from this, across which spotlights are attached. For the last few months it has tended to stop working after a few hours' use, only to come on again after an interval. I guess that it has been overheating, and coming back on once it cools down again. Now it has stopped working altogether. Any thoughts as to what might be causing this, and how I could fix it?

 

[Steve]

Is there a rating printed on the transformer?

What rating lamps have you fitted and how many?

(we need to know both of the above)

And have you tightened the connections to the transformer?

 

[Arbu]

10-70W

I have one 20W and two 35W bulbs = 90W. Sounds likely to be the problem. Taking one out doesn't help.

All connections are tight.

Maybe I need a new transformer?

 

[Steve]

Suggest you've b****ed the transformer. You can get dimmable electronic transformers for very little these days, though due to size constraints within the fitting, it may be nessecary to install the transformer in the space above the fitting.

Or get a new fitting

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Transformer_Index/Lighting_Transformers/index.html

 

[Arbu]

Thanks, have now fitted a new 60W transformer, which has done the trick. Would have fitted a 105W one, but it was too big to go in the fitting, so I changed the 35W bulbs for 20W ones instead.

 

[Arbu]

Same problem again with another strip light. This time I wasn't overloading the transformer, but I was loading it to its maximum, 60W. When I turn it on, the bulbs light up for an instant and then go out. Trouble is, the transformer of this light is much more complicated than the other one (it has a dimmer). I've uploaded a picture in my album on this site. Am I going to be able to get a replacement somewhere?