GU10 with fuse, which one please?

adandem

Hi,

We have spotlights in our kitchen which use GU10 bulbs.

Every time a bulb goes, the fuse also goes on our consumer unit to all the downstairs lights. This is becoming both very inconvenient and very annoying.

I have heard that a bulb fitted with it's own fuse will not cause the house fuses to blow.
Could someone please tell me which bulbs are fused, I have looked at some packaging and can't find the info. Would it be the dimmable ones? (We don't have a dimmer but that's the only real differnce I've seen?).

Thanks in advance.

daveyjp

I have exactly the same problem and am currently looking at LED alternatives. They are expensive to buy, but are cheap to run (2-4w compared to 50 for the GU10 halogens) and last about 10,000 hours.

adandem

Do they do the same to the fuses do you know?

vansboy

daveyjp wrote: »

I have exactly the same problem and am currently looking at LED alternatives. They are expensive to buy, but are cheap to run (2-4w compared to 50 for the GU10 halogens) and last about 10,000 hours.

We're looking for these, for the kitchen, but can't find dimmable ones.

Is this maybe not practical, with energy efficient lamps - bit like the older long life standard buld replacements?

VB

HugoSP

What type of consumer unit have you got?

If it's an old wylex rewireable fuse type then I would suggest replacing the problematic fuse with a wylex plug in mcb for around £10.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/48030/Electrical/Consumer-Units/Wylex-MCBs-Incomers/Wylex-6A-SP-Type-B-Plug-In-MCB-3kA

This way when the trip goes all you need to do is reach up and switch it back, as opposed to replace the fuse wire.

We have a new MK sentry cu and we just reset the MCB when this happens

Mikeyorks

Never heard of them until you posted ..... but some here, so presumably some other manufacturers also :-

http://www.yourwelcome.co.uk/acatalog/GU10.html

These lamps are internally fused meaning that when one fails, it should not trip your fuse box which does happen with some lamps.

But do be cautious with more general GU10 replacements. The LEDs are too poor an output to replace mine with - so I tried some Megaman low energy. No sizes on the website so should have been warned by the name --- as the bulbs are not only wider but project 50% more than a standard GU10 .. and wouldn't go close to the fitting.

Mikeyorks

daveyjp wrote: »

I have exactly the same problem and am currently looking at LED alternatives. They are expensive to buy, but are cheap to run (2-4w compared to 50 for the GU10 halogens) and last about 10,000 hours.

But - unfortunately, if you've got a limited number of fittings, they don't give enough light. The 2-4w LED only tend (3rd generation) to give 20w-35w standard GU10 output. And the OH insists that less than 50w, from any of them is inadequate - unless I want to take over the cooking / ironing.

It's a few months since I looked - but could only source the Megaman which gave low consumption but close to 50w 'output'. And the technology in that to give the boost - makes the bulbs way too large for any standard GU10 fitting (despite they were advertised as a 'standard replacement')

But if you find a low voltage GU10 that is the same size / low voltage and gives the same output as a 50w model ..... please post it?

baldelectrician

If you buy Osram / Philips / Sylvania lamps these are internally fused, and run more efficiently than standard cheapo pound shop / supermarket lamps.

The 35w decent brand gives the same light output as the 50w cheapo lamps.

adandem

Thanks everyone, the consumer unit is about 13 years old (same age as the house). They look like plug fuses but are smaller.

At least I know what brands to look for now.

HugoSP

Ah, no wonder you are having a headache!

To my mind these are worse than the rewireable fuses, as fuse wire is in plentiful supply and everyone stocks it. I've come accross loads just by buying and renovating houses, there's always some stuck on top of the old fusebox! However these fuses are a pain.

My take would be to consider an MK Sentry split load box. Denmans do a good deal on these (at least my branch does), or get a part p sparky to supply and fit it for you - probably cost around £300 all in as he's got to carry out a complete inspection and test on your property.

adandem

Thanks Hugo,

I don't think we'll be in a position to do that, but we have lived in the house for almost 4 years and apart from the problem with the kitchen light the fuse box has been okay.