Touch dimmer keeps blowing

[riandad]

I have 5 mains voltage downlights in living room wired to 500W dimmer switch. This is the 3rd time the dimmer has blown, originally i was using 50W bulbs but i then changed them to 35W internally fused bulbs hoping this would prevent problem. bulbs have blown previously and has tripped the mains fuse but dimmer been ok, the dimmer has a fuse inside but the unit is sealed so cant check it. Anyone any ideas on what the problem could be???

 

[oharaf]

What type of bulbs were / are they exactly?

 

[riandad]

GU 10 bulbs

 

[oharaf]

are the fittings and bulbs the dimmable type? If not then they will feck the dimmer"!!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

They're LV GU10s - I don't think the luminaire will make a difference....

And 175W on a 500W dimmer doesn't sound outrageous. Riandad - what do the instructions say?

 

[riandad]

yes the fittings are dimmable, instructions are here https://www.screwfix.com/sfd/i/cat/pdfs/07/p3856307.pdf .This is the 5th replacement I had from screwfix they last for about 4-5 months then blow. Screwfix replace them no problem but I cant keep this up forever.[/url]

 

[flameport]

Time for a different brand of dimmer then. (Those instructions - are they Volex? )

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...dex/Wiring_Accessories~Dimmers_All/index.html
Look under the 'iQ Remote / Touch Control' section.

As for the lamps - make sure they are 240V ones. (230V types will work, but will fail quickly as they will be operating well above their rated voiltage)

 

[oharaf]

BAS he says they are mains voltage not LV (i.e. 12v)

The reason I asked if the bulbs were dimmable, is that having installed some wall lights for a customer before christmas, she put CFL bulbs in, she complained they flickered and then after a couple of weeks the dimmer went.

I suggested she take the CFL's out and put standard or dimmable bulbs in, low and behold no flickering, no stuffed dimmer!!!

I also wonder if he has remembered to wipe the GU10 bulbs down after handling them, greasey fingers and all that!!!!!

Certainly cheap dimmers are a shocking waste of money, I won't install them!

 

[aptsys]

He said they were 50/35W down lights. I don't know of any 50 or 35W alternatives to halogens.

ELV = 12V, not LV.

 

[oharaf]

True aptsys, sorry BAS!!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I also wonder if he has remembered to wipe the GU10 bulbs down after handling them, greasey fingers and all that!!!!!

GU10s (all? most?) have a glass envelope enclosing the lamp capsule - you can't touch the quartz.

 

[Chri5]

I also wonder if he has remembered to wipe the GU10 bulbs down after handling them, greasey fingers and all that!!!!!

GU10s (all? most?) have a glass envelope enclosing the lamp capsule - you can't touch the quartz.

But the glass outer when 'touched' leaves a finger print and the 'rumour' is that such grease mark will create a hot spot and the lamp will fail earlier than it should.

I find that by sticking to a decent maker such as Osram rather than the shed 6 packs for £5 make for a better investment.

 

[riandad]

I always use a piece of tissue when handling the bulb so as not to leave any fingerprints. I am using the cheaper bulbs but would this affect the dimmer switch ?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

But the glass outer when 'touched' leaves a finger print and the 'rumour' is that such grease mark will create a hot spot and the lamp will fail earlier than it should.

No - it's touching the quartz of a quartz halogen lamp that shortens its life - the glass envelope of a GU10 doesn't matter.