Bathroom lights fail when it's cold...help please!

Vindiesel

hi all

i have an odd problem with my bathroom lights. Got a brand new bathroom fitted two years ago but every year around October when it starts getting cold, my spot lights start failing and tripping the electric for most of the house.

I don't know why this is happening - simple physics i guess but the original set did not do this. The room is a cold one and the lights are halogen which as everyone will know get rather hot if you stand close enough to them. Two question then, does anyone know why it is happening - is it simply as it is a cold room or are they faulty? Secondly - what can i do about it?

They are specifically bathroom spots - said so on the box

thanks

V

SpursDave

I am assuming that these were fitted and installed by a qualified electrician as per building regs? I would explain to him what's happening and get him to check his work. Could be something very simple but could be improperly installed. Unless you know what you're doing, leave well alone especially in bathrooms. Current legislation states that ALL electrical work carried out in bathrooms needs to be done by a professional or checked and certified by a professional.

Vindiesel

cheers for the response - yes, done by qualified electrican. It got done two years ago so don't really wanna get in touch with him - he wasn;'t terribly helpful at the time albeit did a good job (this aside).

I wonder if anyone else know if it is a common/simple problem?

cheers

maninthestreet

Are these lights recessed into the ceiling?

fluffpot

maninthestreet might be onto something there. If they are recessed lights in say and extension or loft, then try removing one from the ceiling and putting a hand up - you might be suprised at the low temperature and/or gale force wind. Cold air on hot bulbs can blow them or at least make the connections contract and 'break'. I have sucessfully mitigated this effect by placing fire hoods (available from electrical wholesalers - or search the net) over the lights to give them some protection.

Fluff

Vindiesel

hi man..and fluffpot. Thanks for the response. Fire hoods sound a good idea. I realise this is going to sound thick, but they are safe aren't they? Also - are they easy to fit ie. could I do it safely?

Thanks again

Vindiesel

Update:

I have fitted fire hoods on all of the lights where possible (they have to have a minimum of 20mm clearance from the top of the hood to the surface of the cieling/insulation etc). I am dissapointed to note that they tripped again last night. Every time they are about to trip, there is a really strong smell of sulphur in the air (like the smell of those caps you used to get as a kid).


Anyone any other advice? Are they dodgy lights? As mentioned before, they are bathroom rated lights!

Please help, I am getting really frustrated, washing and brushing my teeth by candle light!

Mistymaid

To be honest, if I were you I'd get in touch with the manufacturer (if you know who it is?)
The sulphur thing doesn't sound too good.

Vindiesel

ok well it's worth a shot. Got an electrician coming in nect month for unrelated work but don't want to wait that long. Will see how manufacturer is and investigate that route.

cheers

Mistymaid

A lot of them have web sites where you can message them. I messaged Wahl on Monday and got a reply today, which saved a lot of messing about sending letters etc and they told me to send the product back to them directly.