LED Downlights Dying

Rusty_Shackleton

Hoping someone with some electrical knowledge can help as this problem is proving stubborn to google!

My kitchen has 14 downlights controlled by two switches (one at entrance, other at back door), months ago one of them appeared dim for several weeks before blowing. A brand new replacement ended up going dim as well. Since then we've had another 3 bulbs go dim, each a couple of months apart (latest one today). When the lights are switched off, all the problem bulbs glow for a few seconds after the rest are off.

When we moved in a year ago I swapped all the bulbs (LED for LED, just wanted different temp), and the same bulbs are used everywhere else in the house with no problems, so definitely not the bulbs.

Any ideas what causes this/how to fix?

Thanks in advance!

societys_child

Are these recessed, GU10s or MR16s?

Rusty_Shackleton

recessed in a suspended ceiling, GU10s

Money_Grabber13579

Where are you buying the bulbs from? Are they poundshop bulbs or a decent brand?

Rusty_Shackleton

They were from an online retailer (LED Hut I think)... they were a good price - can't remember the brand, but not anything recognisable to me. I have no reason to doubt the quality though as I've got another 20 of the same around the house that have been problem free for a year so far

societys_child

Money_Grabber13579 wrote: »

Where are you buying the bulbs from? Are they poundshop bulbs or a decent brand?

Nothing wrong with Poundland LEDs, been using 'em for a few years, not had any failures, unlike the supposedly "decent brands" at up to 10x the cost :eek:

Well made using good quality components, and no, I don't work for them


bigclive on youtube did a teardown and test of the Poundland 3w and 5w GU10s a few years ago and confirmed what I thought. At £1 each, very MSE innit . .

societys_child

14 downlights controlled by two switches

I take it these are 2-way switches, they're not dimmers, and there's no incandescent lamps on the same circuit?

When the lights are switched off, all the problem bulbs glow for a few seconds after the rest are off.

I dunno, switches, wiring, dodgy bulbs :huh:

missile

Rusty_Shackleton wrote: »

When the lights are switched off, all the problem bulbs glow for a few seconds after the rest are off.

….

Any ideas what causes this/how to fix?
!

There is something wrong with your wiring.

dunroving

Have you tried switching a bulb from one of the other problem sockets? That would at least get at what people are asking, re: whether it's a bulb problem or a wiring problem.

Grenage

I wonder if there might be a common link between the dying bulbs, such as a duff driver.

coffeehound

Are they 240 volt or fed by transformers/drivers?