lighting prolem, help please!

[Johno]

I have been to a job today and changed 2 existing lights with 4 GU10 spots, turned them on and thought they looked dim.

It turns out that when just 1 bulb is in, it is bright. Then when another is added they dim a bit, then another a bit more, etc.

My only explanation was volt drop, but I doubt this is the case, though of course I don't know the cable route, as I haven't installed the entire circuit.

Has anyone got any suggestions?

 

[Pat Tester]

Wired in series ?

 

[Des 56]

Wired in series ?

He said one lamp worked on its own brightly,when a lamp is not fitted nothing will work

Having said that,other than a nasy volt drop, it does sound like they are series wired,but that is ruled out by it working with a single lamp fitted

Check lamps supply voltage and at each fitting

 

[cbw]

Just to carry on from Des.....put the GU10 into the next in the line, does it still work?

If it does then you need to trace back and check you have picked up correct Ns and Lines, get that tester out!!!

 

[sparkylad]

Hi johno these are deffo GU10 mains arent they and not elv 12v.---just checking.

 

[Johno]

I tested the voltage with the at fittings with no bulbs in and 230v, then with bulb/s in 110v, this was only with light up voltage testers, I didn't get my proper ones out the van.

I suppose volt drop is the only answer really, but it just seems so unlikely as we are only talking about 4 x 50W and there was already 2 lights there before that was working ok (though I don't know what bulbs was in them).

 

[Spudnik]

He said one lamp worked on its own brightly,when a lamp is not fitted nothing will work

Do you wanna borrow my specs???

Oh,and i answered your other thread in the pub.

 

[Johno]

Thanks for replies, they each work fine on their own, but when another bulb is added you can massively see the one thats already in dim, and when all 4 are in they are mega dim. Though I am sure I had correct polarity, it shouldn't matter as the bulbs work either way round.

 

[Johno]

cheers jason

 

[Sintra]

Seems to be that they are in series.

 

[Johno]

No, they are in parrallel

 

[Johno]

I have found a way a fitting 2 T&Es in the terminal block.