Excessive light-bulb issues...

lonestar1

are we talking gu10's here ? if so £2 will buy you a real nasty led bulb look for philips ones at around £9 for 2

Cornucopia

Indeed - more detail would help us help the OP.

I take it these are Halogen bulbs. The text of post #1 is confused on this, as it also mentions LED bulbs.

Assuming Halogen bulbs, which often don't last that long, then are they mains-powered GU10s (which have thick pins with a small lug on the end) or 12 Volt MR16s (which are a similar size, but have thin pins. and no lug). It's also likely that they are not all the same (i.e. under counter lights won't usually be either GU10s or MR16s, but will be G4s, G9s or MR11s, depending on the fitting).

Personally, I am a little sceptical about the wiring "being wrong" and causing them to blow. That's especially true if they are GU10s. Even if they are 12 volt bulbs, and a mistake has been made with the selection of the transformers, it's more likely to damage the transformer than the bulbs - although perhaps that's what the electrician meant by the sockets being damaged?

I'm with other posters in not understanding how the LL-Management Co relationship is expected to work. This issue will be for the builder of a new development to sort out, if it is a building defect during a warranty period, or the LL otherwise. I don't see how the Management Co would be involved, which is presumably why it is not getting sorted out.

Replacing with LEDs is only going to be relevant if the original bulbs are GU10s. If they are MR16s, then the transformers may not be suitable for LED bulbs.

It shouldn't be a difficult job to replace the Halogens with something more resilient, but the first step is to identify what kind of Halogens they are.

Here's a helpful video... ignore that it's about LED bulbs, it's the difference in the fittings that is relevant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=armD-JM_5qg

Cisco001

If they are GU10, I suggest you go to your local screwfix to get LED bulb
http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-gu10-led-lamps-281lm-4-2w-pack-of-6/9674d
http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-gu10-led-lamp-250lm-4w-pack-of-10/5412d
They are relatively reasonably priced with 3 years warranty. And thus, it is convenience to get it replace if it gone within 3 year.

nidO

Can also chime in with replacing the GU10's with LED's.

Halogen GU10's do die at an alarming rate even under the best of circumstances, but as mentioned above I have a suspicion that some recessed housings for them and/or them being sunk into a hole with a void space behind them causes them to heat up too much or cool down too quickly or some combination which can up their failure rate even more.

You generally won't have that kind of issue with LEDs though, we put in 12 Philips LED GU10's in our kitchen when we moved into this property a little over 3 years ago and have had no failures so far (having moved from a flat where like you we were replacing our halogen GU10's constantly).

orionmoo

I can't stand those spot light / down lights. Bought a house with them in everywhere. Slowly trying to put new lights in place but gonna be left with lots of holes to plaster. Might be easier to just get new ceiling slightly lower!

Red-Squirrel_2

nidO wrote: »

Can also chime in with replacing the GU10's with LED's.

Its stated in the OP that they are already using LED bulbs!

Cornucopia

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

Its stated in the OP that they are already using LED bulbs!

That's a point - we've all assumed that the OP got that wrong, because halogens have a reputation for not lasting very long. OTOH, s/he says in Post #5 that they are being replaced with LED bulbs.

But yes, if they already are LEDs then they could be failing because they are MR16 replacements being used with incorrect transformers.

And the quick solution would be to try some halogen bulbs.

The Poundshops sell multipacks of Halogen bulbs (usually 2 or 3 in a pack).

Bonfire_Bride

Are these the ones that need to be replaced using the rubber sucker thing?

If so, are you using one?

princeofpounds

Yes it's absolutely key that the OP has this right on the Halogen/LED difference.


What is being talked about here sounds exactly like halogens, which tend to blow all the time. Interestingly they are often killed off by vibrations rather than electrical issues, which is why they can perform so poorly when people walk in the rooms above.


At £2 these certainly sounds like halogens to me... a proper LED bulb would cost something like £5-18 (depending on power, dimmability, brand etc). Just google it!


But, if we take the OP at their word, then it sounds like there is a wiring problem, as even bad quality LEDs should simply not fail like that.


So, once this issue is clarified, the OP should complain in writing, making the evidence clear, and set a deadline. If no action is taken, then they should consider taking the action outlined in the link below (and google Lee Parker vs Izzet 1971 aka tenant's right to repair)


http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in_private_lets

LEJC

maninthestreet wrote: »

So when was the last electrical safety certificate issued for the property?

Whats that.....I'm aware of gas safe but not an electrical equivilent