Hello all,
I've recently had an extension completed and as part of the work four light fittings in my original hallway were changed from normal incandescent ceiling roses into low energy fittings that only take fluorescent 'L1' bulbs (they have a base similar to a GU10 but longer). This was required to get the completion certificate on the extension.
I am happy with the fittings and the light output from the bulbs, however I noticed this morning that each of the bulbs is ticking rapidly whenever they are switched off. It is the noise you make when you gently tap your finger on the top of a keyboard button. Each of the 20 bulbs (5 per fitting) emits this sound and they are in-sync with each other at each fitting. When I remove a bulb and place it next to my ear the ticking sound continues for about five seconds then slowly fades away to nothing.
I'm not sure if this information is relavant, but I'm trying to include everything:
1) The noise stops when the bulbs are switched on
2) 3 of the fittings are on the upstairs lighting circuit, 2 are on the downstairs lighting circuit, both are on separate RCBOs
3) The downstairs lights are looped in at the fittings, the upstairs lights must be looped in at junctions in the loft because each switch and fitting only has a switched cable (Br + Bu-Br + GY). Looking at the wiring at a downstairs fitting it appears that the live to the fitting is after the switch rather than before it.
4) IANAE but I do have a multimeter and have done some basic checks at one fitting such as checking for any stray voltage between L/E and N/E which doesn't show anything (do you call it N/E or SwL/E?).
5) They may have made the noise for a while (the fittings have been up over a week now) but I only noticed it this morning. At the time the lights had been off for about 7 hours.
I have just a few questions:
A) Why are they doing this?
B) Should I be concerned?
C) Can it be stopped?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
I've recently had an extension completed and as part of the work four light fittings in my original hallway were changed from normal incandescent ceiling roses into low energy fittings that only take fluorescent 'L1' bulbs (they have a base similar to a GU10 but longer). This was required to get the completion certificate on the extension.
I am happy with the fittings and the light output from the bulbs, however I noticed this morning that each of the bulbs is ticking rapidly whenever they are switched off. It is the noise you make when you gently tap your finger on the top of a keyboard button. Each of the 20 bulbs (5 per fitting) emits this sound and they are in-sync with each other at each fitting. When I remove a bulb and place it next to my ear the ticking sound continues for about five seconds then slowly fades away to nothing.
I'm not sure if this information is relavant, but I'm trying to include everything:
1) The noise stops when the bulbs are switched on
2) 3 of the fittings are on the upstairs lighting circuit, 2 are on the downstairs lighting circuit, both are on separate RCBOs
3) The downstairs lights are looped in at the fittings, the upstairs lights must be looped in at junctions in the loft because each switch and fitting only has a switched cable (Br + Bu-Br + GY). Looking at the wiring at a downstairs fitting it appears that the live to the fitting is after the switch rather than before it.
4) IANAE but I do have a multimeter and have done some basic checks at one fitting such as checking for any stray voltage between L/E and N/E which doesn't show anything (do you call it N/E or SwL/E?).
5) They may have made the noise for a while (the fittings have been up over a week now) but I only noticed it this morning. At the time the lights had been off for about 7 hours.
I have just a few questions:
A) Why are they doing this?
B) Should I be concerned?
C) Can it be stopped?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.