Lighting!

R

Rusty10

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• 16 Feb 2007

• #1

Hi

I am currently replacing A/C sockets and light switches. All is good until I changed my dimmer switch!

I have (what appears to be!?) two strips of 4 bulbs (Halogen I think 20W?) after replacing the dimmer - one set works fine however, the other strip there is no lights at all?

What have I done?

Any help/suggestions to a complete novice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

 

Spark123

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• 16 Feb 2007

• #2

You'll have to give us a better clue as to what cables, how many wires and their colours are behind the switch, also where they are connected now and where they were connected on the old one.

 

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Rusty10

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• 17 Feb 2007

• #3

Hi

There are three wires (Green, Black & Red)
In the new switch I have connected the green to Earth, Red To L1 (& tried L2 without success!) and Black is in one that has a symbol something like and 'X' (Is this Comm?)

I have tried another dimmer and another normal switch and still I have one strip without any lights...

When I replaced the originals I did have a problem where if you dimmed the lights to a lower setting they would flicker and buzz, then I lost the lights in one of the strips?

Thanks for all your help and assistance!
Cheers!

 

B

breezer

• 17 Feb 2007

• #4

Rusty10 said:

When I replaced the originals I did have a problem where if you dimmed the lights to a lower setting they would flicker and buzz, then I lost the lights in one of the strips?

Click to expand...

don't tell me, its this one thats not working?

(ok , so do tell me)

 

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Rusty10

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• 17 Feb 2007

• #5

lol!

No they all flickered and buzzed!

 

B

breezer

• 17 Feb 2007

• #6

yes, but you said one is not working and it did flicker and buzz.

what happens if you put a normall light sitch on it, do they both come on?

have you changed any wiring / connections at the lights?

 

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Rusty10

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• 17 Feb 2007

• #7

hi breezer

With normal light switch get the same thing I'm afraid... Not changed any wiring. I changed the upstairs dimmer (2 x strips of 3 lights & 1 x strip of 2 lights) and that is fine?

 

B

breezer

• 17 Feb 2007

• #8

i suspect that since it fizzed (what , no bang or puff of smoke or acrid smell) that you have "blown up" the lights transfomer

take the one non working light down, note what goes where, and put a flex with a plug on it and......

if it deoesnt work its had it

you could also when you have it down post what is printed on the transformer

 

securespark

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• 17 Feb 2007

• #9

If you haven't changed any wiring at the fittings, I assume the problem must be at the switch. Either that, or the fitting or dimmer has packed up.

The tx & dimmer must be compatible with each other.

 

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Rusty10

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• 18 Feb 2007

• #10

Hi All

Many, many thanks for all your responses. Sorry but I didn't make myself entirely clear...

The lights are a 'strip' of spotlights in the ceiling! I have no idea how to even get to a transformer, will this mean removing floorboards upstairs to get to it

Once again appreciate help!

Cheers!

 

Lectrician

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• 18 Feb 2007

• #11

Sounds like one transformer feeding 4 lights. The transformer may not be a dimmable one, and so has either gone squit or blown it's internal fuse (cheap makes from kits have fuses quite often).

Gently pull each light out until you find the transformer - It is usually possible to locate it through the hole, although the kit type sets have large transformers which do not fit through the ceiling cutout. Floor boards to be lifted then.....

 

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Rusty10

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• 18 Feb 2007

• #12

Hi

Thanks for the advice. I have located the transformer and it is a deluce LIghting tech et105/d dimmable electronic transformer.

It's grey and cylindrical it has a grey and a black wire coming out of the bottom. The black cable then runs into a round white 'thingy' with Ashley Rock written on it!

Like I said I'm a total novice!

Cheers again!

 

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Rusty10

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• 19 Feb 2007

• #13

Oh and how will I know if its blown? (Looks ok no black marks or anything!?)