light switches off automatically after 60 secs

[rutherford]

I assume it does this to avoid the toilet light being left on all the time.

But it's far too fast so I want it removed for a normal light/switch.

Thing is though I've checked the switch, compared it with a normal on/off switch and it's exactly the same design, just live and ground wires in behind, except when you switch the light on, wait 60 secs it'll go off, so you have to turn it off, (wait a wee while more) then turn it back on again...

Any idea where in the circuit this behaviour might be occurring?

 

[Spark123]

Is it a pneumatic timer switch?

 

[rutherford]

what does that look like exactly?

I don't see any difference between this switch and the others, and none of them turn off automatically

 

[Spark123]

They are usually have a big round push button on them.
Can you post a photo of your switch and the back of it?

 

[JohnD]

if you leave it switched on, does it relight after a while? Might be a heat dependent thing including poor connection at the lampholder or ceiling rose.

Try it with a CFL (energy saving lamp) which gets less hot and draws less current.

 

[rutherford]

tried it for 5 mins or so, didn't come back on. switched it off n on again, it came back on. And it's not 60secs, more like 15secs.

If I switch it off/on about 5 or 6 times afterwards it comes on quicker then waiting with it off.

hope that provides some clues lol

 

[Spark123]

It doesn't sound like a deliberate time delay, as JohnD says above it could be down to a faulty lamp holder, or it could be a faulty switch or a bad connection.

 

[JohnD]

fit a new switch and do up the terminals tightly.

try a new lamp (energy saving), holder and rose. Nothing you have described yet suggests a designed timer, just a fault.

 

[rutherford]

 

[rutherford]

excuse my ignorance - what bit's the rose? The part the bulb fits into i.e. in the pic the wee white cylinder shape?

 

[Spark123]

Ah - I spy a 12v halogen lamp which means there will be a transformer above the ceiling somewhere.
If the load is too big for the transformer it can shut it down, as can a faulty transformer.
How many lamps are there and what size are they (in Watts)? If you can find the transformer what is written on it?

 

[rutherford]

linked to that switch? that's the only one.

I'll have a look for the transformer. How far up the wire should it be?

bulb is 12v 50w 36 (not sure what the 36 means)

 

[Spark123]

The transformer is usally somewhere near to the lamp.
Worth a look at the transformer as it sounds to me like it is tripping on a thermal cutout. For a 50w lamp it needs to be rated 50w minimum btw. There should also be plenty of space around the transformer and not burried in insulation. It could be the transformer is just old and tired as well.
Another thing to look at is make sure the contacts with the base and the lamp is good.
Afaik the 36 is referring to the angle of the reflector in the lamp.

 

[rutherford]

Right am I right in thinking the transformer appears to be the white box attached to the housing via a thin piece of metal? The wires appear to lead into it

what you think? I'm hoping it's a relatively easy to take the housing (and thus the transformer if that is it) out?

 

[rutherford]

50VA

this the transformer then?