Blown Bulbs on PIR Security Lights

[ianphilip007]

Hello there need some advice

Had a call today from a customer who, i fitted a replacement PIR security light (120w halgoen), early November 2011. He informed me that the light had suddenly just stopped working. i asked him if he had checked the bulb to see if it had blown and he said that he had and the bulb was ok. So i assumed that the actual fitting or pir sensor must have failed so i arranged to go out and repair or replace the fitting as it was still under warranty from manufacturer and my own 12 month workmanship guarentee. When inspected it actually turned out to be a blown bulb. Now i changed the bulb on this occasion as customer had a replacement but did not charge any fee.

after some advice for the future as although i gaurentee my workmanship and the fitting/ matierials used are covered by warranty from manufacturer i dont believe you can gaurantee a bulb just wondered what others do in this situation ???

1/ advise customer to change bulb themselves if they can ?

2/state that a charge will be made for coming out to change bulb

3/or consider the bulb to guranteed and go out and change for free?

 

[sxsparky]

Customers always lie about bulbs, never trust them!! Even tho they say its not the bulb i have checked over and over!! some people are just lazy and wont change one

i agree dave, i dont think he checked the bulb at all but told me that he had so that i would come out. He was only 5 mins drive away just felt like id been conned when it turned out to be a blown bulb even though he had told me the exact opposite when asked . usally i advise customer to replace bulb and then call back if light is still not working.

 

[sxsparky]

Good advice

Id of charged him, you simply cannot guarantee lamp life, that light could be burning constantly for all you know

However a common mistake electricians make is when fitting these lamps they are not careful enough to avoid touching the glass, which will shorten the lamps life dramatically

 

[Spudnik]

My supplier will not supply a warranty with lamps, as they do not get one from the makers.

Although, if they blow within a few days, they will supply one FOC.

I generally tell clients exactly the above.

So, basically, if you fitted the lamp November 2011 and they were a regular, i would charge them for the lamp but probably do it FOC.

Any longer and its a full charge.

For all i know, they could have left the light on 24/7.