Hall light works intermittently

tagz

Hello

We have a hall light with three bulbs which can be switched on/off by two switches. In the last couple of days I've noticed that sometimes the lights turn themselves off. When someone then tries to turn them on again they don't work but then will come back on again much later. When it doesn't seem to work you can use either switch and it still won't come on. My husband thought it was the bulbs (energy saving) but I don't agree. One of the bulbs was flickering before it happened the first time and then when it came on again it had stopped working but why would the remaining lights spontaneously come back on? I'd be grateful for any advice as I'm really worried.

Biggles

Does it behave the same when it has incandescent bulbs in it?

tagz

Hello Biggles

We haven't tried them yet. That is the plan for today, I'll post the results

Meadows

Sounds like you might have a faulty switch (does it crackle at all when operated?). Funnily enough we have just had to replace one in the kitchen where we have two on opposite walls, as one was breaking down it would break the circuit sometimes even when operating the other switch, hubby replaced the front with a new one for 79p from a local shop and the job was done in a matter of minutes - sorted)

tagz

Hi Meadows

The switches don't crackle. The weird thing is when the light has been left on and after a while it just goes of without anyone using the switch. Then when you try switching it back on it doesn't work until about an hour later when it is suddenly on again without the switch being touched.

victor2

Sounds like one of the switches or faulty wiring in the ceiling rose or light fitting. Try bypassing each of the switches individually by connecting both wires into the same connector at the back of the switch and see if the problem goes away. If it does, you've identified the faulty switch. If it's still there, then it may be faulty wiring somewhere.

ValHaller

victor2 wrote: »

Sounds like one of the switches or faulty wiring in the ceiling rose or light fitting. Try bypassing each of the switches individually by connecting both wires into the same connector at the back of the switch and see if the problem goes away. If it does, you've identified the faulty switch. If it's still there, then it may be faulty wiring somewhere.

Not an adequate description to go forward with - it is 2 way switching, which has 3 wires per switch. And there are 2 different ways of wiring this arrangement.

victor2

ValHaller wrote: »

Not an adequate description to go forward with - it is 2 way switching, which has 3 wires per switch. And there are 2 different ways of wiring this arrangement.

Good point. Bit more work involved.
OP, if you can't figure out how to bypass one of the switches, then maybe a sparky needs to have a look at it.

tagz

Well we tried to find incandesant bulbs to try but no luck, so had to get halogen instead. They seem to work ok but I won't know properly until they have been on for a while and play up (or not hopefully). If the problem does persist I think I'll just have to bite the bullet and get someone to look at it. Was trying to avoid the Christmas premium rates, but if I have to I will! Thanks everyone for your help.