Lighting Circuit Problem

[UnbrightSpark]

Would appreciate some guidance (before I get a professional in , no doubt!) on a lighting problem.

The downstairs lighting circuit covers five rooms. Two of the rooms are fine but three have no power at any wall/ceiling lights. This occurred suddenly last night and did not trip the circuit fuse at the box. None of the lights/fittings have been changed recently.

Many thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[DESL]

Could be a number of things

Loose connection somewhere in the circuit - have you done anything in the last few days?

How sure are you all lights are on same circuit?

Do you have a multimeter - don't use a neon screwdriver to test for power frankly they are dangerous.

FGinally where abouts in Essex are you?

 

[UnbrightSpark]

Thanks for that. Yes, I'm sure all the lights are on the same circuit (covers downstairs rooms and hall but not kitchen/utility) - and none of the other switches in the box were tripped. As you say suspect there is a break somewhere (but not sufficient to cause fuse to trip). Nothing has been done to any of the lights recently.

No - dont have a multimeter and definitely wouldn't be using a testing screwdriver! I'm up in Stansted. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything obvious. Cheers

 

[DESL]

I'm in Southend so a bit far for me to come

 

[UnbrightSpark]

no problem, and thanks again for your help.

 

[sm1thson]

whilst waiting for a better suggestion (or weighing up calling in a spark) i would turn the electircs off then go round and ensure the wires in each ceiling rose (working and not working) are tight. (look at the diagrams in the wiki and you will see how each light is fed from another etc).

following that (you might need a spark or someone else who is handy) i would start tring to figure (with the help of a eter and long lead), which light is connected from which and which connection has died (it will probs just be a live or neutral unlikely both), then figure out if there is a junction bax hidden away or if mice have eaten the cable.

fortunately the first suggestion is the most likely to quickly see success, so turn the leccy off and get a screwdriver out!

 

[Steve]

. As you say suspect there is a break somewhere (but not sufficient to cause fuse to trip).

A broken or loose cable will not cause any protective device to operate.

 

[securespark]

Unless the conductors are shorting out!!!

 

[Taylortwocities]

I had a wee problem like this a few weeks ago. It turned out that half of the lights downstairs were fed from a (well hidden) fcu off a ring final circuit with a 5A fuse in it. The fuse in the FCU had gone when a lamp blew and so half the house was in darkness.

If theres an FCU up a wall that you dont know what its for check it out.
FCUs are very shy creatures and not easily found (mine was hidden in a loft)

TTC

 

[Steve]

. As you say suspect there is a break somewhere (but not sufficient to cause fuse to trip).

A broken or loose cable will not cause any protective device to operate.

The fuse didn't operate. (Thanks to RF lighting for the picture)

 

[UnbrightSpark]

Thanks for that - I did find one and changed the fuse........but unfortunately no change!

Cheers