new lightbulb damaged light fitting

flier

What can I expect from B&Q? We purchased new LED bulbs (GU10) to replace GU10 halogen bulbs. My other half fitted the first LED bulb and, when he turned the light on, he heard a pop/bang and it tripped the circuit breaker. Once he reset it, he discovered that the light fitting no longer works. We think that B&Q should pay to replace our damaged light fitting, but we wonder what our rights are before we go in to speak to them.

I'd be grateful for some knowledge from someone who knows more than me on Consumer rights, thanks in advance.

maninthestreet

They won't pay for consequential damage, only the cost of the faulty bulb.

flier

That's annoying, thanks though.

bris

maninthestreet wrote: »

They won't pay for consequential damage, only the cost of the faulty bulb.

Not entirely true, it is a consequential loss that could be claimed for if the bulb was at fault. There could be other reasons for it blowing though, the light fitting its self could be faulty. You would need a report from an expert to confirm the fault was indeed the bulb to make the claim.

societys_child

Agree with bris^ it could be the fitting (or the wiring) that's faulty. Have you tested the bulb?

paddyrg

Showing my ignorance a little here, but are all bulbs with the same fitting rated identically for power? For instance would an LED bulb require a different driver/ballast and work at a lower voltage than say a halogen? Could it be that they're not meant as direct replacements, but to overhaul a complete system, or something?

TadleyBaggie

GU10 bulbs are rated at 240V, so nothing to do with ballasts/transformers etc. I just replaced 6 GU10 Halogens with the equivalent GU10 LED, no issues whatsoever.

flier

Thanks everyone. It is a fitting which has 4 lights on it, the other 3 are still working. I guess we'll have to pop to b&q and take it from there.