low voltage lighting system problems

[jonwnotts]

Hello

I have a Paulmann low voltage lighting system that has stopped working, I have checked all the wiring and don't appear to have any loose connections so I am assuming it could be the transformer that's the problem. I have bought a digital multimeter to test test it but don't really know how to use it.
I have searched the internet to try to find articles that might help but to no avail. I am now getting a bit frustrated and don't really want to get an electrician in at this stage because I should be able to at least diagnose the problem myself.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[333rocky333]

You may find a multimeter will not read the output voltage, if you have an Electronic Transformer,

 

[Taylortwocities]

What sort of Paulmann system do you have? Post a picture if you are not sure.

Is this controlled by a dimmer?

Do you mean low voltage (eg 230v/mains) or extra low voltage (eg 12volt)?

What happened to it so that it stopped working?
Example: one of the lamps stopped working and I bought a new one and now the whole system does not work..

 

[jonwnotts]

Thanks for the quick replies.

It's a Paulmann 12V Wire system (this is a link to the page on the Paulmann site if you want to see a picture, doesn't show much though.... -http://www.paulmann.de/?Land_ID=1&Sprache_ID=2&1Menu_ID=84&Anwendung_ID=22&EcatAction=Kapitel&Katalog=2460&Kapitel=7789#7789....it is model 97564

No it's not controlled by a dimmer just a normal light switch

one of the lights stopped working but I didn't get round to changing it before everything stopped working I have since changed it to see if that made any difference but it hasn't, the bulb I replaced didn't look blown

 

[Taylortwocities]

OK

Is there 230V ac going into the light fitting?

Is there 12v across the two wires that the lamps connect to?

Look inside the transformer housing. There is sometimes a fuse in there. Use your meter to check if it has blown. Get and exact replacement if it has gone pop.

 

[jonwnotts]

Thanks again for replying,

I am probably going to sound really thick but I don't really know how to use the multimeter, it has a number of different settings but no instructions and this stuff is all new to me.
I have added a photo of what I think is the right setting to test for 12V if it is then it doesn't appear there is any charge coming out of the transformer. I have tried it on the 2 metal bits ! (sorry for the lack of technical terms) on the transformer that connect via a short wire to the main wires that hold the lights

I have also added some photos of the transformer

View media item 24395 View media item 24396 View media item 24397 View media item 24398

 

[electronicsuk]

You have the meter set to the DC voltage range. You need it set to the AC range, V~, 200v.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Looks like its a wirewound torry transformer, so no electrical stuff to worry about.

The mains input you measure on the V~ 600 setting

The 12volt output you measure using the V~200 setting.

I will bet that the internal fuse is gone, That will live somewhere near that label that says 2.5A

Check the volts first in and out.

If you get volts in but no volts out, TURN THE POWER OFF, remove the fuse and set your meter to the 200Ω setting.

First connect the two probes from your meter together and have a look at the meter reading. It should read something like 0.00

Now put the meter probes one at each end of the fuse. If the fuse is OK you should get the same reading.

Let us know how u get on.

 

[jonwnotts]

Not had time to follow the advice you have given me yet, but will do it tomorrow and let you know what happens

Thanks

 

[jonwnotts]

I have done the tests and it appears there are no volts going in ! I also checked the fuse and that doesn't appear to be blown, no break to the wire inside it, I would have thought that if there was no power going into the light then none of the other lights in the house would work as they are all on the same circuit, ie the fuse box has one switch for all the lights, or doesn't it work that way ?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It doesn't work that way - lighting circuits are radials, with branches all over the place. It's quite possible for one light to not work.

You need to trace the cable that supplies it.

 

[jonwnotts]

Ok thanks, starting to sound more complicated now, how do I go about that ?

 

[sparkiemike]

Did you make sure the switch was in the on position when you carried out the test.

Have you checked the switch? Make sure you don't have loose or broken wires.

Failing that it would be a case of getting access to the cable route - so you may need to lift floorboards and follow the cable back to any junction boxes and test them.

 

[jonwnotts]

No I didn't have the switch on, I have tested it again and now have 250V going into the transformer, can't tell you how pleased I am about that , so that suggests it is the transformer fuse then even though it looks like it's not blown ? or could their be a fault with the transformer itself ?