LED Replacement Bulb Issue

[Darren Nelson]

Hi,
I have just bought some LED replacement bulbs for our kitchen lights. I have attached 2 images for reference. I was told the replacement LEd would simply replace the standard E14 SES halogen bulbs. The problem we have is that when we have put in 3 new LED bulbs into the fitting, only the middle one works. Swapping the bulbs around doesn't change anything, we just have the middle one lit. I have then put in halogen bulbs in the outer 2 lights along with the middle LED and all 3 light up. I have even swapped the outer ones for a different LED light ( an R50 from the bathroom ) and this just flashes. There is no transformer in the actual fitting. And works fine with 3 standard halogen bulbs. Just thought I was doing the right thing trying to save electricity....very frustrating. Any ideas?

 

[Rpa07]

Polarity at the holder issue as LED is polarity dependant. Spark in to check this issue.

 

[DJ Ovengloves]

Do you have a dimmer - only certain dimmer / led combinations work.

 

[Darren Nelson]

Thanks for the reply. Rpa07 - Do you mean polarity in the fitting when you say holder? Surely that can't be it as it was working fine and still does if there are 3 std bulbs in.

Light is not on a dimmer DJ Ovengloves.

 

[telectrix]

Do you have a dimmer - only certain dimmer / led combinations work.

i suspect that, but why have a dimmer in a kitchen. it's not like you have sexy moments in amongst the pots and pans.

 

[Wilko]

Just expanding on post #2 - the centre contact on the Edison Screw lamp holder must be the L (brown wire). If this is the cause of the outer LEDs not working, then by reversing the connections in that orrible connector block the two end lamps should start to work and the centre one stop. The wiring in that light fitting is a mess - the earth connection needs checking too.

 

[Octopus]

I've seen this with poor quality leds ...
What make are they?

 

[telectrix]

Thanks for the reply. Rpa07 - Do you mean polarity in the fitting when you say holder? Surely that can't be it as it was working fine and still does if there are 3 std bulbs in.

Light is not on a dimmer DJ Ovengloves.

deleted dure to beer talk.

 

[Rpa07]

Thanks for the reply. Rpa07 - Do you mean polarity in the fitting when you say holder? Surely that can't be it as it was working fine and still does if there are 3 std bulbs in.

Light is not on a dimmer DJ Ovengloves.

If it hasn't been sorted already. The halogen lamps aren't polarity conscious but as wilko has said - if the terminations in the lamp holder are wrong way around then polarity will be wrong and LED lamps will not work. Could be a manufacture issue if it is that (which it sounds likely if halogens work and LED don't)
We've all come across the imported lights with the cables with clear insulation with the faintest of colours down one edge or not at all, doesn't make our job easier having to do continuity tests to work out which wire is which!

 

[telectrix]

If these LEDs are 240V polarity is not an issue.

 

[DPG]

Weak spring centre contacts on the outer holders. Slightly different lamp shape/contact profile and it may not make good contact.

 

[DPG]

Or body of bulb (lamp) fouling on holder before it makes good electrical contact - have seen this before.

 

[telectrix]

Or body of bulb (lamp) fouling on holder before it makes good electrical contact - have seen this before.

cured with a blob of solder on centre contact. been there, done that, got the burn marks.

 

[DPG]

Or bend the spring contact out a bit. Maybe turn the power off first though eh.

 

[Rpa07]

If these LEDs are 240V polarity is not an issue.

Is that right? Because of COB? Thought that a diode made the AC only go the one direction to make the LED work so if polarity wrong it's an issue. I like being wrong - means I learnt something today!