PIR security lights!

[blue-tac]

Hi all. My first post and i'm appealing for your help!

I'm not even an amateur in electrical stuff-years ago I electrocuted myself whilst working on one that I hadn't turned off at the mains-that was fun! So pls bear with me...

My PIR security light recently failed-you could walk in front of it and hear the sensor/switch clicking so i'm sure that would require power, but no lamp came on. I re-wired (whilst standing on the wheelie bin) and changed a couple of lamps but still no good so bought a new one. As b4 it had a black, red and earth and it all wired up logically enough. It worked for 2 days and now same fault again-you can hear the sensor/switch click but no light! Ps, it terminates at a standard wall switch in the kitchen which i haven't touched.

Any advice pls?

 

[Maxxy]

Get an electrician in. Standing on wheely bins and having already electrocuted yourself doesnt make you sound too competant. You may be good at other things, but give electrics a wide berth!

 

[blue-tac]

Can anyone else help?
ie, ignore the wheelie bit part. The mains gets turned off whenever i'm doing this stuff-trip every switch in the house just in case!

 

[Adam_151]

Sounds like your new light now has a failed lamp... you did handle it carefully when you installed it, didn't you? (you should avoid putting your fingers on the glass of it-and if you do you should wipe it down with meths)

 

[breezer]

But to admit your stupidity of standing on a wheelie bin does imply you have little or no knowlege of what you are doing / or your own health and safety, so I have to agree with maxxy

 

[blue-tac]

Definitely, i never handle with bare hands-always a greaseproof type of cloth. The lamp worked for 2 days anyway.
I honestly reckon i've done everything correct-even fitted a waterproof junction box cos the previous cables were twisted together and taped up so didn't think that was too safe.
My only guess is that maybe only a small amount or the wrong type (??) of power is reaching the light, maybe not enuf to power the lamp itslef???
Cheers.

 

[breezer]

I am sorry to say but by your own comments you are showing you do not have the slighest idea of what you are doing

Definitely, i never handle with bare hands-always a greaseproof type of cloth. The lamp worked for 2 days anyway.
I honestly reckon i've done everything correct-even fitted a waterproof junction box cos the previous cables were twisted together and taped up so didn't think that was too safe.
My only guess is that maybe only a small amount or the wrong type (??) of power is reaching the light, maybe not enuf to power the lamp itslef???
Cheers.

Please be safe, call in a professional

 

[blue-tac]

Appreciate what your saying but right now, just need people to answer who can give advice on what i can do next. Based on what people say, i'll take it from there as to whether or not I do it so thanks but advice pls.

 

[Maxxy]

Got a multimeter?

 

[blue-tac]

As of 2 days ago, no! Probably get one tomorrow-any recommendations?
You also reckon it must be the wiring?
Just seems weird that the old light worked for about a year b4 packing in and now this one has the same fault despite being wired up again from scratch.

 

[ppuch1]

What make is it?

Some cheaper makes of fittings can fail straight out of the box.

I would agree with the others, to be safe - it only takes a few milliamps to kill yourself - get an Electrician to look at it.

 

[Steve]

what sort of bulb you got in the fitting?

i'm thinking el cheapo PIRs dont like switching compact fluorescents.

 

[J..M]

I'm disgusted with some of the responces here

____________________________
lynda, moderator

email address removed, please read the forum rules

 

[Maxxy]

I'm disgusted with some of the responces here

You'd rather we helped him kill himself?

 

[ricicle]

For the price you'd pay for a reasonable multimeter you could pay a sparky 1/2 hr/ 1hr labour and save yourself a lot of headscratching and possible danger

Ricicle