Old MR16 bulb exploding glass.

silvercar

The bulbs in my downstairs toilet must be 15+ years old. Switched them on and after only a minute there was an almighty bang and 2 of the 3 stopped working. Tiny bits of glass everywhere. The 3rd one is still working, so I’m guessing the circuit is fine, but would anyone know why this happened. I would have thought there should be built so they don’t shatter.

Is it safe to replace them, or do I need an electrician?

fwor

If they are really MR16, they run at 12V which means that there is a transformer/power supply somewhere hidden away. This may have developed a fault which means that its output voltage is too high.

In many years of using them I have had only one go pop and dispense glass into the room - it does happen. But in my case, not any more - all of my halogen MR16 bulbs have been replaced with the LED version, because they are a great deal more efficient - they probably require around half the power for the equivalent brightness.

silvercar

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81933376#Comment_81933376

would I need to find and remove the transformer to change to LED?

grumpy_codger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81933414#Comment_81933414

LED MR16 are 12V too and need a 12V transformer/driver.

However, LED bulbs consume much lower current, some 12V drivers have minimum current/power requirement and possibly won't work with LED bulbs.

If you can find and remove the driver it's worth replacing all light fittings with mains voltage ones - either with built-in LEDs or using GU10 bulbs.

fwor

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81933414#Comment_81933414

Some 12V power supplies can be quite tolerant of swapping out halogens for LEDs and some are not. If it were not for the exploding bulbs you could just try it and see - but there's a risk that if the power supply is faulty that it will damage the new LEDs. As suggested you could change to mains GU10's, but that would of course mean new mains wiring.

silvercar

On looking in daylight, the 2 that failed simultaneously both shattered glass everywhere. The third one is working fine, though I’m nervous about it now.

Exodi

To be honest, you should change your bulbs regardless (not just the ones in the downstairs toilet).

LED bulbs generally consume at least 90% less electricity, last much longer at 50,000 hours (compared to 1,000-2,000 for halogen) and usually pay for themselves in a matter of months. It also takes minutes and saves you ££ every year - probably one of the best tips for this website.

FWIW, I didn't replace any transformers in my house, replaced all bulbs for LED maybe 5 years ago and haven't had any issues. I think for the sake of £5-£10 I'd pick up a pack from Screwfix or somewhere to test.

silvercar

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81933675#Comment_81933675

With the loud bang and the glass shattering, I’m worried the transformers are damaged. Plus the lights seem to have been painted many times, so I can’t get the surrounds off and can’t get a grip on the bulbs, I’m inclined to get an electrician to change them over.

I know, the embarrassment of getting an electrician to change a lightbulb.

This is the last room left with these lights, thank goodness.

WIAWSNB

When they exploded, did the glass enter the room? Ie, the fittings do not have a separate glass cover on them - you can touch the actual bulbs?

afaIk, a these MR16 are secured in one of two ways - the first is fully behind a collar which has a glass window in it. These are usually prised off, so the paint will need cutting first.

The other is fed into the fitting from below, and is held by a circlip - with these the actual bulb is showing.

Could we have a crisp closeup pic, please?

It is very unusual for one to explode, and highly so for more than one at the same time. That does suggest a larger issue, but it also ain't beyond the realms of possibility.

The third light - is that still coming on? If so, SF are selling a pack of 5 for £5, clearance. If yours are held by circlips, worth a try?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-gu5-3-mr16-led-light-bulb-345lm-3-4w-5-pack/716pp

silvercar

Glass blown into the room and also the bulb. I can touch where the bulb was. There was also an odd smell.

I can remove the circular claw piece, but nothing drops down and I can’t grip anything to pull out. I suspect the rim needs to come off.

the third light is working fine.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935016#Comment_81935016

Ok, if the third light is working fine, then that suggests the trannie is also ok.

What caused two to blow? No idea, but some sort of external power surge is surely the most likely. For any bulb to explode is incredibly rare and unusual, but for two to do so simultaneously is truly astonishing, so there must have been an unexpected 'cause'.

Your pic isn't clear, sadly - any chance of a crispie? And what do you mean by the 'claw piece'?