Lamps blowing on timer switch

katejo

Rockingit wrote: »

E14 (ES) is just simply the base type, not the lamp type. If you have obtained the lamps new in the last year or so from a high street source then they will almost certainly be of an energy saving variety.

But my gut feel is that the bulb type is a red herring (on its own). The timer switch you are using; what make and model is it?

Both lamps were bought in 2013 in Asda and Homebase. The timer is a Homebase own brand programmable one (not a manual one with a dial ) While I was deciding in the store , another customer recommended this type as better than the manual dial type.

Myser

katejo wrote: »

Both lamps were bought in 2013 in Asda and Homebase.

Unfotunately, that alone won't help identify the bulb type. As a start, look at the wattage on the bulb as mentioned above.

Does it look like these CFLs:




Or these (filament and halogen):



Programmable timers do give you more flexibility than standard analogue dial timers however, some may not work with CFLs (Compact FLuorescent) lamps. What does it say in the manual for the timer?

Have you tested the timer with somthing else such as a radio to see if it still works?

katejo

Myser wrote: »

Unfotunately, that alone won't help identify the bulb type. As a start, look at the wattage on the bulb as mentioned above.

Does it look like these CFLs:




Or these (filament and halogen):



Programmable timers do give you more flexibility than standard analogue dial timers however, some may not work with CFLs (Compact FLuorescent) lamps. What does it say in the manual for the timer?

Have you tested the timer with somthing else such as a radio to see if it still works?

My reply about when/where they were bought was in response to Rockingit's suggestion that it wasn't to do with the bulbs. He/she asked how recently i had bought the lamps. I think my bulbs are filament ones. I haven't tried testing with a radio but I'm at work now. I will check the manual when i get back but don't remember it including anything like that. It was just about how to programme the timer.

katejo

Cornucopia wrote: »

It should be fairly obvious whether the bulbs are CFL or filament.

- The wattage? Single figures = CFL, double figures = filament (this only works for ES14).

- The outer appearance - spiral/stick shaped = CFL

- If the bulb is round/oval shaped/candle shaped and clear - filament

- If the bulb is frosted, but the outer covering is plastic - CFL

- If the bulb has a white plastic part between the glass and the metal of the screw - CFL

If the bulbs came with the lamps, it could just be that they had a rough time in transit.

The bulbs were bought separately. Filament type. Two lamps have died on me (unless replacing the fuse works - not yet tried). A third one might have suffered in the same way but i haven't yet tried replacing that bulb).
All 3 lamps take the same filament bulb.

Myser

I have found that cheaper ASDA GU10 bulbs tend to have a shorter lifespan than branded bulbs of the same type.

May be worth trying a branded halogen/CFL (if the timer states that you can use them).

Is it this product:

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10151&catalogId=1500001201&langId=110&searchTerms=Plug+in+timer&x=0&y=0&authToken=

Does it say TG77 on the product label or in the manual?

katejo

I have never tried Asda bulbs. The timer unit is very similar to mine but will have to check exact product number when I get home . I see that at least one of the reviewers has had the same or very similar problem . Don't think timer manual said anything about bulb types but only certain types will fit the lamps .

lstar337

katejo wrote: »

I have never tried Asda bulbs. The timer unit is very similar to mine but will have to check exact product number when I get home . I see that at least one of the reviewers has had the same or very similar problem . Don't think timer manual said anything about bulb types but only certain types will fit the lamps .

They need to be SES or ES14 for sure, but the bulb technology will allways be compatible with the lamp.

To simplify the situation to the max, Simple switches (mechanical) will work with all bulbs, and simple bulbs (filament) will work with all switches.
The trouble comes when you try and use complicated (electronic) switches that may have fade-in/fade-out functions, with complicated bulbs like CFL's which have electronics to regulate the ballast and such. These can conflict with one another and severely shorten the lifespan of the bulb.

If you have simple (filament) bulbs, the switch could be cheaply made and throwing some kind of pulse at the bulb and causing it to blow. Low energy halogen bulbs are a little more resilient and may last longer.

I nice simple test would be to remove the time switch and manualy switch the bulb through a number of cycles. If it still blows, your time switch is fine and there is a problem with the bulbs.

katejo

lstar337 wrote: »

They need to be SES or ES14 for sure, but the bulb technology will allways be compatible with the lamp.

To simplify the situation to the max, Simple switches (mechanical) will work with all bulbs, and simple bulbs (filament) will work with all switches.
The trouble comes when you try and use complicated (electronic) switches that may have fade-in/fade-out functions, with complicated bulbs like CFL's which have electronics to regulate the ballast and such. These can conflict with one another and severely shorten the lifespan of the bulb.

If you have simple (filament) bulbs, the switch could be cheaply made and throwing some kind of pulse at the bulb and causing it to blow. Low energy halogen bulbs are a little more resilient and may last longer.

I nice simple test would be to remove the time switch and manualy switch the bulb through a number of cycles. If it still blows, your time switch is fine and there is a problem with the bulbs.

I am not yet home so no further testing yet. If it only blew the bulbs, I could put up with it but why do the fuses also go? That is what I assume has happened as the lamps don't work at all now. I am about to go and buy some replacement plug fuses on the way home to test this.

Myser

katejo wrote: »

I am not yet home so no further testing yet. If it only blew the bulbs, I could put up with it but why do the fuses also go? That is what I assume has happened as the lamps don't work at all now. I am about to go and buy some replacement plug fuses on the way home to test this.

Sorry for stating the obvious, but I assume you tested the lamps on another known working mains socket and not still attached to the timer?

Make sure you buy an assortment pack of fuses or just 3A ones for the lamps. You shouldn't just fit a 13A fuse.

katejo

Myser wrote: »

Sorry for stating the obvious, but I assume you tested the lamps on another known working mains socket and not still attached to the timer?

Make sure you buy an assortment pack of fuses or just 3A ones for the lamps. You shouldn't just fit a 13A fuse.

Of course I tested the lamps on other sockets without the timer! I have now put new 3A fuses into two of the lamps and they are now working again. Have not tried them with a timer yet.