dimmer controlled halagen lights

[coldy82]

hi i have 15 halagen lights controlled by a dimmer switch and one by one the lights keep going and when i try to replace the light it will not work i am down to my last four lights that are working . can anyone shed some light on what might be the cause

 

[malcolmsanford]

Are these downlighters and are they dimmable?

 

[coldy82]

yes they are downlighter and yes they are dimmerable they have been working for about a year but when i come to replace them they will not work i have tried a swapping a bulb that was good and it wouldnt work

 

[Amp David]

Have you voltage at the fittings that aren't working?

 

[coldy82]

i tried testing at the fitting and i have got no voltage and voltage detector flickers for a brief second then it stops

 

[telectrix]

15 50w halogens = 750w. what is the wattage of the dimmer switch. ?

 

[malcolmsanford]

Transformers?

 

[coldy82]

i dont know the wattage but there is a buzzing sound comming from it

 

[coldy82]

where are the transformers normally situated

 

[malcolmsanford]

I meant are the downlighters mains voltage or are they ELV through a transformer

 

[coldy82]

yes they are mains voltage

 

[telectrix]

easiest waty to start is to replace the dimmer with a standard rocker switch. if they work then, it's the dimmer. you need at least a 1kW dimmer.

 

[Amp David]

But wouldn't all his lights be out if dimmer was shot

 

[telectrix]

generally, yes. but my suggestion was a process of elimination (do the easiest bit first) . if the switch don't fix it, then testing the circuit after the switch would be my next step.

 

[coldy82]

hi i have just check the bulbs that are used and they are 12v 50w halagen this means that they are elv has any one got any ideas