Ive got 6 low voltage spotlights in the bathroom and one has stopped working. I bought some new spotlights but it still failed to work. There is a live going to the spotlight because Ive checked but its still failing to light so do I presume its the transformer thats knackered instead. I just thought that if the transformer was knackered I wouldnt get a live out the other side where the spotlight connects. Any help appreciated. Cheers
low voltage spotlight not working
- Thread starter dave1975
- Start date
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Low voltage is 230volts. Probably you meant Extra Low Voltage?
That is possibly what you have if there are transformers in the circuit!
It sounds like a transformer or wiring problem. You say
That is possibly what you have if there are transformers in the circuit!
It sounds like a transformer or wiring problem. You say
how did you check?
There is a transformer on every spotlight if that helps. I checked if there was a live with an electrical screwdriver
So called electrical screwdrivers are unreliable at best and downright dangerous should they develop a fault.
You need a two-probe test device, such as a multimeter. You must check that you have a live and a neutral connection at the transformer's input and it is producting the correct voltage on the output. Those scredrivers will not help you with this, and will probably mislead you.
EDIT: a simple check could be to swop the suspect transformer with one that you know works. You'll need your "electrical" screwdriver to undo the connections, but not for anything else!
You need a two-probe test device, such as a multimeter. You must check that you have a live and a neutral connection at the transformer's input and it is producting the correct voltage on the output. Those scredrivers will not help you with this, and will probably mislead you.
EDIT: a simple check could be to swop the suspect transformer with one that you know works. You'll need your "electrical" screwdriver to undo the connections, but not for anything else!
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OK i"ll give it a try. Thanks
Also check the lampholder, which the lamp connects to.
These can get hot and can fail.
Also make sure the connection between the lampholder and transformer is sound. Often cheap terminal blocks are used and a poor connection made.
Almost certainly will be the transformer though.
These can get hot and can fail.
Also make sure the connection between the lampholder and transformer is sound. Often cheap terminal blocks are used and a poor connection made.
Almost certainly will be the transformer though.
Unless it's one of the ones which are so carp that they don't even work as screwdrivers....
A failed transformer found above a ceiling had carbonised it's PCB and created a low impedance path from Live to Output via the carbon deposits. The PCB track from Neutral had gone open circuit so the full 230 volts was there on both the output terminals.
The neutral PCB track had melted before the MCB could trip on the overload.
Almost certainly a low cost item purchased on line from an overseas supplier but that could not be followed up as the badly charred label was unreadable.
The neutral PCB track had melted before the MCB could trip on the overload.
Almost certainly a low cost item purchased on line from an overseas supplier but that could not be followed up as the badly charred label was unreadable.
I usually find its the lamp holders. 12v and a little resistance from an overheated lamp holder gives no current flow!
If you find it's the lamp holder, go for heat forward aluminium reflector lamps, rather than dichroic lamps which push all the heat backwards.
If you find it's the lamp holder, go for heat forward aluminium reflector lamps, rather than dichroic lamps which push all the heat backwards.
All sorted. It was a duff transformer. Cheers for your help
I used to have a DeWalt which I agree was quite unreliable. I got it for lifting floor boards but it didn't really have the torque.
I'd disagree about it being downright dangerous with a fault. Mine simply stopped turning. As it happens, I'd also invested in a Ryobi right-angle drill and as it happens, that does a much better job of driving screws. I got a refund on the DeWalt.
he was talking about neon screwdrivers 
I'm sure (s)he knows that - but also specialises in deliberately misinterpreting anything which is even remotely capable of misinterpretation. I gather that such behaviour is known as 'being clever' in some circleshe was talking about neon screwdrivers
Kind Regards, John
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