Sparks flying out of light fitting!

Fire_Fox

Just come home and switched my hall lights on (2 x 3 GU10 50W halogens, not enclosed). One halogen lamp made a quiet pop, tripping out the lighting ring and a spark flew out. :eek: This is the second time in two years I have had a light do this - previously a traditional two pin fluorescent bulb in a wall light made a loud pop, sparks flew out and the lights tripped. My electrics are only about five years old, as the flat is a relatively new conversion. The fitting that sparked today has been in place about six months.

Why might this be happening? Surely it isn't normal?

myrnahaz

maybe it's the bulbs? I had a new table lamp in January and used a free energy saving bulb in it, but the bulb started making funny noises and died, so I went to switch it off but I burned my hand on the lamp base (it had often become hot during use). I replaced the bulb (using a tea towel on my hand) and have never had a problem with that lamp heating up since.

Fire_Fox

Neither of the bulbs were energy saving. I know halogens can get pretty hot and are temperamental, but it can't have overheated enough to make a sparks fly in one second after switching on!! Plus the other bulb that made sparks was a old-fashioned two pin bulb.

chrislee765

These lights are classic for popping (usually with a flash) and then tripping out the circuit.

My experience (somewhat small) cant explain why the spark flew out. I could imagine an 'arc' inside the bulb when it blew (just as the small filament breaks the electricity will jump across) but cant explain the external spark. Where did it come from, the base of the bulb?

27col

I suspect that this problem is normal in that it happens in a minority of cases. Have a quick check of the lamp holder just to make sure that it has not been damaged by the spark.
Many years ago I was at sea on an ocean liner. We had thousands of incandescent lamps which were always blowing, and taking the fuse with them. This was due to the vibration of the ship causing the ends of the white hot filaments to short circuit. As your flat is not in an ocean liner, this is probably not the cause of your problem. It is just a case of bad luck and with mcbs such as you have, it is only a minor inconvenience, as they can be rapidly reset.

Barneysmom

WE've taken our halogen ones out of the kitchen and refitted a flourescent tube, much, much cheaper to run and more reliable too.

Fire_Fox

chrislee765 wrote: »

These lights are classic for popping (usually with a flash) and then tripping out the circuit.

My experience (somewhat small) cant explain why the spark flew out. I could imagine an 'arc' inside the bulb when it blew (just as the small filament breaks the electricity will jump across) but cant explain the external spark. Where did it come from, the base of the bulb?

The thing that worries me is firstly the sparks and secondly the fact that they were two totally different types of light fitting and two totally different types of bulbs. My halogen lamps blow out regularly, they don't usually trip the circuit. I am certain I saw a spark falling to the floor on both occasions, but I didn't see exactly where from. Both light fittings worked afterwards with fresh bulbs ....