Lights tripping

[martlewis]

hi all, my parents bought a house recently, about 3-4 times a week the breaker will blow when the outside light comes on (150 watt halogen flood light). also if a bulb goes it too trips all the lights.

The breaker has printed on it: MEM M6 Type 1, 5A 240/415v ~, 51 QEB.

Is this the right breaker or is there a slow blow version maybe?

Cheers.

 

[JohnD]

What is the total load on the lighting circuit? Is there anything on it except lamps? The breaker you name is quite an old one, there is a slim chance that it might be weak. However it should be able to support about 10 typical lamps. Sometimes people connect heaters or other devices to lighting circuits.

Sadly, it is quite common for a blowing bulb to trip the breaker. Some say that better quality lamps are less prone to causing it, and some say that Osram are good. Certainly if you use Compact Fluorescent Lamps (Energy Saving Bulbs) then they do not cause this. They also last a lot longer and save a lot of money.

It would be possible to rewire the outside flood via a fused spur on the socket ring. It may have a big switch-on surge or possibly have water inside. If replaced with one or more outdoor lanterns with CFLs the problem would almost certainly go away.

 

[securespark]

Every time the outside light comes on?

It's normal for the device to trip if a lamp goes out.

What's the load?

 

[securespark]

Grrrr!

 

[JohnD]

too slow, too slow