Light bulb coming on and off.

Mojisola

What's likely to be the fault causing a ceiling light fitting to pulse on and off when the switch is off?

real1314

Faulty switch, wiring error, worn sheathing, etc etc.

Get an electrian to look at it. :cool:

Mojisola

real1314 wrote: »

Get an electrian to look at it. :cool:

Thanks. I am going to get it looked at but it's nice to some idea of what the problem might be in advance.

Owain_Moneysaver

If it's an energy-saving bulb, capacitance in the wiring. See here for cause and possible cures.

Mojisola

It is an energy saving bulb but it's only started happening recently. I've changed the bulb and it's still happening so it must be something to do with the wiring. It's a constant on/off, just like a heartbeat. I'm surprised that the trip switch hasn't been tripped.

CaptainKidd

Is this in your hallway with 2 way switching? If so then its nothing to worry about, google capacitive coupling energy saving bulbs and you will see loads about it. Also the trip switch wont trip because there is no reason for it too.

jc808

its not a dimmer switch is it?

birkee

newton-electrical wrote: »

If you've changed the energy-saving bulb for a normal filament one and it's still happening then it's most likely a faulty switch or loose connection. As someone above said, the tripswitch won't go because the circuit's not necessarily overloaded or dangerous, it's only registering constant on/off requests from the faulty connection. Should be simple for an electrician to sort out for you.

You can't beat a logical approach.

Mojisola

CaptainKidd wrote: »

Is this in your hallway with 2 way switching? If so then its nothing to worry about, google capacitive coupling energy saving bulbs and you will see loads about it. Also the trip switch wont trip because there is no reason for it too.

Yes, spot on - it is a hallway light with a 2 way switch.

Thanks for the google suggestion.