Halogen bulbs in kitchen pop too frequently for my liking

[Longshanks]

Hi
Have a fairly basic metal square ceiling light which has three halogen bulbs (nothing too fancy). I’ve noticed that bulbs keep going quite often and I’m often replacing the one I’ve just replaced etc.

When I fitted the light about a year ago it was extremely awkward connecting the wires as there was so little room to work with before you attached the cover.

My question is if there is a loose connection would that account for the regular popping of the bulbs? (I would have thought not as they work for a period)

Many thanks

Longshanks

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It's probably just the natural tendency of lamps like that to have a short life - just another inconvenience and added running cost.

If it's a poorly designed fitting which traps heat, that won't help, as won't vibration from above and heat and humidity from below.

All you can do is to make sure you buy decent quality lamps, i.e. from known manufacturers, not shed own brands or Poundland specials etc, make sure they are explicitly rated for 240V, and start looking for a replacement light.

Actually, I say "240V" - are they mains, or 12V? If the latter is there just one transformer built into the light? These can be a bit C&N, and rely on all the lamps being present to give a 12V output - if one or more is out the voltage can rise, accelerating the failure of the remaining one(s), so prompt replacement might be a good idea.

And if the actual lamp capsule is not enclosed in an outer glass envelope, you do know about not touching the surface of it?

 

[Steve]

What brand lights are you using?

Hint: Tesco Value = bad. Osram = good.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Hint 2: Jiàn Dàngcì brand from the market = bad. GE = good

 

[1john]

hint 3 - try not to touch the lamp with bare hands, wrap it in some tissue when you install it.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

And if the actual lamp capsule is not enclosed in an outer glass envelope, you do know about not touching the surface of it?

 

[spark1]

When I fitted the light about a year ago it was extremely awkward connecting the wires as there was so little room to work with before you attached the cover.

 

[Longshanks]

Thanks

They were bog standard and I must have handled it when fitting. Will get decent make and protect with tissue etc.

Just wondered if loose wire would cause this.

It was indeed a nightmare attaching the wires to the connections. The cover is only about 1.5" high and there wasn't much cable to work with. Are you suggesting that I should have extended the cable in these circumstances?

Many thanks

Longshanks

 

[Steve]

If they are halogen SPOT lights, then dont worry about handling them, the actual halogen capsule is within the spot enclosure of the lamp.

If they are just the small halogen capsules, then yes you should use tissue or a cloth to fit them.

Osram, GE, Phillips, Sylvania are all good makes.

 

[Longshanks]

Many thanks