Botchit and scarper

[ed-ectrician]

Had a job today. Bloke says 'my downlight in the bathroom doesnt work'

The muppet who installed the electrics has just stuck normal ip20 downlights in, including in zone one. At least they're SELV. Open one up and find this...



Oh blimey that doesnt look healthy now does it. I reckoned it was moisture causing a dead short. The transformer was fine.

Went to the kitchen and, instead of junction box for under cabinet lights they just terminal blocked them and screwed terminal block to underside of cabinets. No- they were not selv, they were 230v!!

Mental the stuff people do. Do u think they are unaware or consciously doing it?!?!

Ed

 

[telectrix]

i'd say that was more like a poor connection than moisture. bear in mind , at 12V the current drawn is 20 X that at 240V. never mind the heat from the MR16 halogen. that's why i only fit 240V LED.

 

[rattlehead85]

230v led downlighters are a far better option now over the 12v equivalent. Less messing about on install, less heat build up and very efficient. Only downside is the light levels don't tend to be as good as 12v however i am sure this will and is improving.

 

[ed-ectrician]

Even in bathrooms?!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

If that's SELV, why is there an earth tag?

 

[rattlehead85]

Even in bathrooms?!

As long as you install correct i.p rated fittings with adequate RCD protection and compliant fire hoods pending building structure then 230v is acceptable and by far the better option!

 

[ed-ectrician]

Good point, but the fittings were gu 5.3 , 2 thin prongs. Strange that there is option for earth termination

 

[rattlehead85]

Another factor to take into account is the fact that a led bulb will solve the constant replacement of them crappy 12v equivalents blowing every other week!!

 

[Plonker 3]

If that's SELV, why is there an earth tag?

I imagine its just a generic fitting which can be interchanged with other types of fitting depending upon manufacturer.

 

[bugsy]

All we fit now for undercupboard kitchen lighting is LED strips - no heat so dosent cook whats in the cupboard!

 

[ed-ectrician]

How have you found ELV LED lamps? Are they as good as GU10 LEDs?

Personally i recommend every customer invests in LEDs - halogens worry me, they run dangerously hot and i see too many idiots leaving all the fibreglass insulation in place or siting tgem flush with joists. LEDs save you 90% on energy and run at a reasonable temperature.

Ed

 

[telectrix]

and overheated lampholders, knackered transformers, huge electric bills ( coz. teenage dorters are in there for hours, then leave the lights on ). if you get decent 300lumen LEDs, the light output is comparable to 50watt halogens.

 

[ed-ectrician]

Why dont the government phase out halogen 50w gu10s etc like they have with 100w tungstens?!?! Soon come i'm sure...

 

[DPG]

How have you found ELV LED lamps? Are they as good as GU10 LEDs?

Personally i recommend every customer invests in LEDs - halogens worry me, they run dangerously hot and i see too many idiots leaving all the fibreglass insulation in place or siting tgem flush with joists. LEDs save you 90% on energy and run at a reasonable temperature.

Ed

I've just replaced 4 x 35W 12V halogens in my bathroom with 4 x 7W GE LED 12V replacements. The light output greater than the halogens, and the beam spread is nearly identical. Colour of light is about the same, as they are warm white. Very impressed.

They're a bit expensive, but I wouldn't touch the cheap ones with a barge pole after the experiences I've had with them (either poor light output or just literally going bang). Daz

 

[snowhead]

Why dont the government phase out halogen 50w gu10s etc like they have with 100w tungstens?!?! Soon come i'm sure...

It's not the Government it's the E.U and when they do they'll phase out all Halogens.