Lights blowing when switch is turned on

[voltage]

Hi all,

Got a problem at my mum and dads house the house is a 1991 build its a PME system with a crabtree consumer unit with rccb.
The problem they have which just happened today is they have a fan light in kitchen which holds 3 bulbs and the switch does this fan light and the fluorescent in the garage. Now the garage light works fine but when you switch on fan light the bulbs pop and blow which trips the rccb and the mcb for downstairs lights.
This has never happened before ive taken the switch off to have a look nothing obvious no loose connections no sign of burn marks etc.
It must be overcurrent but im not sure why would it be the fitting ? but its been fine for 21 years just wondering why now all of a sudden ? could it be cheap light bulbs ?

Any ideas would be much appreciated many thanks volt.

 

[i=p/u]

could be the contacts in fitting or the switch.....

 

[Rockingit]

what's above the ceiling? Bathroom??

 

[malcolmsanford]

A blowing lamp will sometimes take out the RCD/RCCB so that is not a worry. Is it also taking out the MCB ?

It could be cheap lamps, it could be a short on the fan, but why that is blowing the lamps not sure. I would personally disconnect the cable feeding the fan light and test the fan motor, check the fan control switches/controller and then check the light switches and holders.

If you don't find a fault then you will have to start testing back on the supply cable

 

[Engineer54]

If this fan/light has been in service for 21 years, it just has to be very tired by now. Surely it's got to be worth investing in a new fan/light fitting. And these days most of them come with remote control, i know those i have in both my houses in Cyprus (different manufacturers) are so equipped!!!

You could be chasing round for ages trying to find this fault, ...and still have to replace the fitting at the end of it... lol!!!

 

[telectrix]

21 years. just about run in then.:yes:

 

[Engineer54]

21 years. just about run in then.:yes:

More like, ...''Run Out!! lol!!'' :yes:

 

[voltage]

thanks for the replies guys yeah i think its time for a new light as the fan light has had its days
So the next step is to take down the fitting. looking at the lamp holder contacts 2 of 3 are ok the 3rd one is quite black so could be the contacts. Either way its old and needs replacing so i guess thats the best bet. While its down i will check the cable.

many thanks for your replies guys volt

 

[malcolmsanford]

Voltage if your not a sparks I would make a good note/drawing of the cable and connections as blacks/blues are not always neutrals

Then if you are a sparks ........................apologies for granny and some egg sucking

 

[voltage]

well im a domestic installer with 17th edition but still gaining experience but ive got all the testing equipment and proving units for safe isolation and lock offs etc so this should be ok.

many thanks volt

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Maybe a mild IR fault enough to induce current flow ...some of which could be passing through the load thus blowing the lamps....