kitchen downlighters enquiry

[dolphinraider]

can anyone help i have 9 downlights working from 3 transformers in a kitchen that have worked fine for 4 yearsbut now when the switch is turned on it then trips the fuse box. i take it one of the transformers has broken but how do i know which one. I have checked all the wireing & connections they are all ok.

 

[stem]

Disconnect each transformer in turn, starting with the last one if the wiring is daisy chained, making safe the wiring, until you find the faulty one, then obtain a suitable replacement of the same rating. It is possible the transformer has overheated, they should be located in free air space, away from the heat of the bulbs and not covered with insulation

 

[ericmark]

Because many transformers are not just plain transformers but switch mode power supplies there is no "cold" method to test them. Only option is to disconnect them in turn. I would use some connector block to keep wires safe while testing. Do of course isolate before working on them each time.

Although the total of 450W (9 x 50w) at first glance should not trip a 6A (1380W) MCB the inrush sometimes can cause them to trip. Do not be surprised if you are able to remove each one in turn and it works in all cases. It is always better to switch each transformer individually even where the switches are right next to each other.