Kitchen Light Fault

[alph]

Hi guys,

In my kitchen there are 3 separate circuits, one of them the main one (light in the middle has stopped working).
I've changed the bulbs (GU10) and it still don't work.
I've taken the fitting off and checked that there is power with a neon tester, there was.
I got a standard bulb holder and put that in place, that don't work, so the light fitting must be OK.

Any ideas?

 

[keniff]

neutral missing somewhere down the line check the terminations

 

[Bigboy247]

Check the Neutral and the switch,could be a loose wire.Good luck as can be a pain to find if the conections in the ceiling.

 

[alph]

Checked the connections at the switch - not loose.
But when I put the neon tester on the metal back box it lit up??????

 

[solo2771]

Get an electrician in!!!

 

[Amp David]

Checked the connections at the switch - not loose.
But when I put the neon screwdriver on the metal back box it lit up??????

Alarm bells ringing!

 

[Kamikaze]

neutral missing somewhere down the line check the terminations

Like keithsims says: Neutral fault! If all other lights are funtional on that circuit then the loose connection must be on either the kitchen light or the next fitting down the line towards the distribution board. Don't worry about the metal box lighting up. It's the joys of testing with a neon...lol

 

[electricians]

It would be worth £30 to get an electrician . Neutral faults can be dangerous - I'm sure most electricians have had a belt trying to fix such a problem - its not a job that I would advise trusting a neon tester with

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Do yourself a favour and bin the neon screwdriver.....

 

[Amp David]

Probably the most helpfull post so far wirepuller lol

 

[alph]

lol, OK no worries.

An electrician could repair the fault or would he have to bring everything up to latest regs as as well?

 

[sjm]

Only new installations, alterations or additions need to meet the new regs. Repairs will not mean that your system will have to be brought up to current regs.

 

[accordfire]

......Don't worry about the metal box lighting up. It's the joys of testing with a neon...lol

NOT good advice. That's akin to saying electricity doesn't hurt.

If ANY cause for doubt exists AT ALL, that a circuit you're about to play with MIGHT be live - DO NOT TOUCH!!!!!!!

Test using an alternative, RELIABLE means, such as with a voltage meter, and if you don't have one, DON'T TOUCH!!!!!!!

It is fair to say that neon testers are NOT a reliable indication of voltage present, or otherwise, but by the same token - NEVER trust an indication from one either. There's a reason professional electricians don't use them.

Against that, sorry, but telling someone not to worry about an indication of potential current or voltage in a circuit is akin to attempted murder in my book. I know that sounds harsh, but consider what would happen if that box is live, and the guy has a pacemaker or something fitted.......

Please, guys. Let's not forget that not everyone here is an electrician, or necessarily competent enough to be safe around electricity.

 

[Marvo]

No offense alph but even with an electrical tester it sounds like this problem is outside of your skill set. Call a professional.

 

[electricians]

I agree Bill , we have to watch what advise we give out , someone may get hurt . I answer questions on Yahoo ask and there is always a warning " consult a professional electrician , electricity is extremely dangerous "

 

[Bright Sparks]

Agree with Wirepuller bin it! Then get someone in who knows what they are doing, just asking for trouble otherwise.

 

[ian.settle1]

Do yourself a favour and bin the neon screwdriver.....

And so say all of us they should be made illegal on Health & Safety grounds

 

[cagedanimal2010]

whats wrong with neon screwdrivers i use them all the time!!!!

 

[accordfire]

Haha Cagedanimal!

About as useful as that magic wand you forgot I'd say.........

 

[nickblake]

Neon tester ARGHHHHHH sledge hammer springs to mind , yes i know they only cost 50p but , get yourself a nice set of prod testers will cost about £35.00 but will save you so much time and easier to fault find with

 

[accordfire]

Neon tester ARGHHHHHH sledge hammer springs to mind , yes i know they only cost 50p but , get yourself a nice set of prod testers will cost about £35.00 but will save you so much time and easier to fault find with

And offer equivalent levels of protection!

 

[BlueToBits]

What's wrong with a neon tester? It's not the tool that is at fault, it's the way it is used and interpreted. They are only misleading if the user doesn't know that they are sometimes (indeed, often) unreliable. As an previous poster commented, the result from the neon tester lighting up on contact with the back box prompted everyone to advise calling in an electrician, and quite right too. Without the neon test result the OP would be probably still messing around looking for a loose neutral with what could be live earthed parts. So that neon tester may well be a life saver. I'll keep mine in my tool box along with my test lamp and proving unit etc.