Intermitant light fault.

[someonelse]

8 months ago I had a new light fitted in the kitchen. Qualified Leccy, Building Rgs cert issued.

Pair of spotlights on a single switch. Both worked fine till recently.

Then one failed to come on. I complained to Amazon (where I'd bought the bulbs - "10 years life") but surprise, you don't get answers from Amazon!

For reason I don't understand myself, I screwed the bulb back in (having removed it intending to buy a replacement) and it worked.

Over the next 2-3 weeks, it failed once or twice, but switching the lights off, then on again, would fix it.

Then the other one went. Bulb number one fine, bulb number two erratic! Switch off, then on, and (usually) it comes on.

So my questions:

* might this be a wiring fault (though this seems unlikely given a) 6 months no problems and b) the unpredictable way it affects each bulb?

* might it be the bulbs - Eveready 15W White Low Energy R80?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Sounds as if the contacts in the lamp holder are weakening through poor contact and overheating.

Turn off the power and see if you can bend them into a better position if you are comfortable doing such things.

Depending on the design it may be possible to replace the lamp holder but then ... another eight months ?

 

[ericmark]

10 year life (not guarantee) means with 100 bulbs after 10 years half will still be lit.

I fitted 18 x 8 watt in living room and dinning room after 6 months 2 had blown so got 8 as not quite a match so changed whole room and used good ones removed to replace faulty ones in other room. Two years latter no more changed.

Problem with 2 even if faulty not really worth trying to claim. What one has to remember even if where the bulb is only has one hour a day use the manufacturer will go on 24/7 usage.

 

[canduit]

Definitely sounds like lamp holder contacts. I would turn off ALL power at main switch, get a torch and long nose pliers and gently pull the top contact towards you. Do the same with the side contact with a thin screwdriver.

 

[someonelse]

Many thanks - will give this a go tomorow.

Ericmark - I totally understand about the hours per day usage, and the averaging of number of bulbs still going after 10 years etc, but there's a huge difference between 10 years and six months!

If it IS the bulbs (which I now doubt), then seems a clear case of 'fitness for purpose' and/or trade descriptions.

Not that suing Amazon would be worth the hastle!

edit: have adjusted the contacts in the bulb-holders - so far so good. Many thanks!