Ceiling light socket burnt out?

noybbb

Hello, I have recently moved into a new place which has 4 pin light sockets on the ceilings. I don't like these because they only accept 4 pin Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and i would prefer LED bulbs since they last longer and are more efficient. Another issue with the CFL bulbs is that there is about a 3 seconds delay between switching on the light and the bulb turning on which is really annoying.
So I went ahead and bought 4pin-to-E27 adapters along with 10 watt E27 LED bulbs (I think my light fittings are 18 watts and I've read online it is okay to use lower wattage bulbs relative to your socket output). Once I put them onto the my light sockets they switched on immediately and worked fine for about 10 mins before just turning off themselves. To get them to turn back on I had to switch the lights off and then back on, in which case they would only turn on for 1-2 seconds before going off again. Does anyone know why this was happening? And how to go about setting up LED bulbs the proper way.

But my main issue is that in one my rooms it seems the socket has been damaged now because it will not turn on at all, even with the original working 4 pin bulbs, so now I have no working light in that room. Does anyone know what the issue might be here and how to fix it? Will I need an electrician?

victor2

I'm no expert, but don't the 4-pin connectors have an external ballast unit for flourescent lights, which would need removing?

I'd just get new light sockets installed, for which you may need an electrician.

spadoosh

The light will have a starter in it somewhere. Id imagine its that thats causing the problem.

Whilst you can buy parts that change light fittings they rarely change how the power is delivered effectively. Im guessing the adpater you bought is still trying to draw on the starter (the thing that makes it take 3 seconds to turn on) which i cant imagine will work well with leds. Theyre temperamental at the best of times.

Replace the fitting is the best bet. Light fittings rarely cost a lot and are usually pretty easy to change.

magn8p

Sorry to hear about the burnout and the incessant issues.

The best thing to do is stop buying adaptors for the existing fittings that you don't like and instead change the bases/fittings.

For example, you can simply replace it with a B22 fitting with the ceiling rose (http://amzn.to/2jwsAfO) and use a B22 LED light (http://amzn.to/2jA0Sz2) - you can always choose the light colour to match the room's mood.

Or you can simply replace it with a LED light fitting that sits flush with the ceiling like http://amzn.to/2j0IICu - personally I am a fan of this as it made my house look modern - but once again, it's down to your taste if you like hangings or chandelier like lights, you can still choose the LED equivalents in them and fit http://amzn.to/2iZ3jXH like LED bulbs instead.

Finally....replacing the electrical fitting isn't a DIY unless you are an expert at it. If you have don't this in the past you are okay but if you haven't call an able electrician to do it and he may charge half day (£75 - £100) rate to change up to 4 of your light fittings.

All the best.

noybbb wrote: »

Hello, I have recently moved into a new place which has 4 pin light sockets on the ceilings. I don't like these because they only accept 4 pin Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and i would prefer LED bulbs since they last longer and are more efficient. Another issue with the CFL bulbs is that there is about a 3 seconds delay between switching on the light and the bulb turning on which is really annoying.
So I went ahead and bought 4pin-to-E27 adapters along with 10 watt E27 LED bulbs (I think my light fittings are 18 watts and I've read online it is okay to use lower wattage bulbs relative to your socket output). Once I put them onto the my light sockets they switched on immediately and worked fine for about 10 mins before just turning off themselves. To get them to turn back on I had to switch the lights off and then back on, in which case they would only turn on for 1-2 seconds before going off again. Does anyone know why this was happening? And how to go about setting up LED bulbs the proper way.

But my main issue is that in one my rooms it seems the socket has been damaged now because it will not turn on at all, even with the original working 4 pin bulbs, so now I have no working light in that room. Does anyone know what the issue might be here and how to fix it? Will I need an electrician?

noybbb

magn8p wrote: »

Sorry to hear about the burnout and the incessant issues.

The best thing to do is stop buying adaptors for the existing fittings that you don't like and instead change the bases/fittings.

For example, you can simply replace it with a B22 fitting with the ceiling rose and use a B22 LED light - you can always choose the light colour to match the room's mood.

Or you can simply replace it with a LED light fitting that sits flush with the ceiling like - personally I am a fan of this as it made my house look modern - but once again, it's down to your taste if you like hangings or chandelier like lights, you can still choose the LED equivalents in them and fit like LED bulbs instead.

Finally....replacing the electrical fitting isn't a DIY unless you are an expert at it. If you have don't this in the past you are okay but if you haven't call an able electrician to do it and he may charge half day (£75 - £100) rate to change up to 4 of your light fittings.

All the best.

Thank you for your advice everyone!

magn8p, do you know if it will be okay to use 10W LED bulbs with the first pendant you linked to? I ask because the amazon description states it is 100W - so perhaps this means it will light up 10W bulbs dimly? Thanks

magn8p

The 100W is the maximum limit and it has got to do with the incandescent bulbs (the good old filament bulb) which used to heat up as they glow for longer periods.

So you are absolutely fine with your 10W LED which consumes a tenth of the power but emits more light than a 100 W incandescent bulb.

Just make sure you sure the choose the base that matches your bulbs fixture or vice-versa.

Just so that you know:

B22 pendant - http://amzn.to/2jwlfNc
E27 pendant - http://amzn.to/2iobb5y
GU10 fitting - http://amzn.to/2inKoGt
G9 fitting - http://amzn.to/2jxXmFj

So on and so forth. All the best.

noybbb wrote: »

Thank you for your advice everyone!

magn8p, do you know if it will be okay to use 10W LED bulbs with the first pendant you linked to? I ask because the amazon description states it is 100W - so perhaps this means it will light up 10W bulbs dimly? Thanks

victor2

noybbb wrote: »

Thank you for your advice everyone!

magn8p, do you know if it will be okay to use 10W LED bulbs with the first pendant you linked to? I ask because the amazon description states it is 100W - so perhaps this means it will light up 10W bulbs dimly? Thanks

One thing to look out for with LED bulbs is that most are not dimmable, should you be thinking of that option. Also, those that do state they are dimmable don't work with all dimmer switches.

The light "temperature" needs consideration as well. You are often given the choice betwwen Warm White and Cool White, or other variations. There's a good page here describing the differences:
https://www.ledhut.co.uk/blog/the-difference-between-warm-white-daylight-and-cool-white-led-bulbs/

My experience with LED bulbs has been to avoid buying from your favourite auction site and go for more established UK based outfits, not sellers based in China. The cheap Chinese ones don't last long and if you buy more, they won't be the same colour as the first ones. Just my experience though.