Help needed!

[DIYSOS4CLUELESS]

Hi all,
I am hoping that some kind person will help a completely clueless eejit!
Yesterday when I got home the bathroom lights no longer worked. Checked the fuse box and there didn't seem to be anything wrong, nothing tripped in other words.
So I was wondering what the problem might be? The lights (6 ceiling fitted) work off a pulley/cord. There doesn't appear to be a fuse for them? Is this encased in the top of the cord bracket and if so is it easy to replace? Obviously I would turn off at the fusebox if I need to start digging around in the bracket
Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this, and even bigger thanks if they can help!!

 

[Chri5]

Lighting circuits have the fuse at the board.

If you don't have access to a multimeter or at least a voltage probe then all you can do is check the bulbs.

Are the lights ELV or LV, if ELV is there a master box (transformer) in the ceiling void ?

Does the pull cord 'feel' like it should, does it click when used ?

If you read the detail on the side of a bulb that will explain to us if the lights are 230v or transformer driven.

 

[MisterG]

Hi

You'll need to provide more info, otherwise I'm sure the crystal ball pic will make an appearance

As you say there are 6 lights, are they downlights? If so, at a guess, it could be they are ELV lights on a transformer and the transformer has gone.

Or it could be a loose connection.

Have you made any changes to your wiring recently?

Cheers

G

 

[pjcomp]

Unlikely that all six lamps would fail at once, equally unlikely that all six lamps are on one transformer if they're 12V. The first common point of contact for them is therefore the pull switch - most likely is that the switch mechanism inside the switch has broken (as they do eventually) or a wire is loose (which is surprisingly common in switches). If the switch is OK then you're into checking the loft for a junction box with a loose wire - not recommended unless you've got a multimeter and you know how to use it.

PJ

 

[DIYSOS4CLUELESS]

Hi Mister G,
They are downlights, yes.
Not sure what you mean by ELV lights (told you I was clueless!) but they are halogen bulbs. They aren't on a dimmer - just fixed brightness operated through the cord switch. Where would the transformer be and what does it do?!!

 

[DIYSOS4CLUELESS]

The cord does still click, does this suggest that it isn't broken? How can I tell if it is the cord?

 

[pjcomp]

ELV means extra low voltage, in other words 12V instead of 240V. If they have a transformer it reduces the voltage from 240V to 12V. Unusual to find six lights on a single transformer. The difference between the lamps is that the 12V have two small pins on them and push into the fittings, the 240V have two larger studs and have to be twisted in and out.

The fact the pull switch still clicks isn't foolproof evidence that it's OK, and you could still be looking at something as simple as a loose wire in the switch.

PJ

 

[pjcomp]

How can I tell if it is the cord?

Without a multimeter or some other way of testing the presence or otherwise of electricity inside the switch, you can't.

PJ

 

[skenk]

How can I tell if it is the cord?

Turn power off at main switch, unscrew switch from back box, remove the two wires from the switch terminals, connect the two wires together with a bit of choc block (or put them both in the same terminal on the switch), turn main switch back on.

If the lights come on, the switch is faulty, if not it's something else.

 

[DIYSOS4CLUELESS]

Thanks guys - a real help. There are actually 4 not 6 lights, my mistake and they must be ELV as they have two pins to attach them.
Really appreciate all your replies.

 

[pjcomp]

If there are four lights it's possible they're on a single transformer, but still unlikely - usually a transformer each, so the switch still looks the most likely contender for trouble.

PJ

 

[sparkfish]

Hi skenks idea is definately best if you do not have a multi meter to check swirtch. If you rule that out I think you would be best getting in the loft as alyhough not nearly as common one transformer could have been used. It will be a pretty big and obviously feeding he fittings. They usually have a quick blow fuse built into them accessed via a flat head screwdriver on the side. When a lamp blows it can take this fuse out worth a check.