Nice purple and blue sparks... | on ElectriciansForums

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Evening, firstly, im a pretty new apprentice, not going to attempt anything myself, but wondering what the hell might have just happened...


Nackered today, just came up to bed and switched on the light in the room, and BOOM. Loud pop and a nice bright purple flash from the light fitting... Ive a fuseboard in the house..yes...rewireables..they need to get ripped out... but the lighting fuse blew and ive no lights tonight. I would change the fuse, not something I have a problem doing, but im afraid of a short or something in the fitting and causing more sparks etc...

The fitting is a metal 3 spot light GU10 fitting that you can move and point what way you please. Ive the standard GU10 bulbs fitted. I noticed one seemed bright earlier when it was working, and I had no problems this morning. Cant look now as not willing to do so + its dark but confused why It might have happened... ive never had a blown bulb take out a fuse on me before.

All comments, helpful and harsh welcome ;-)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Common with gu10 bulbs. It's almost certainly just the bulb drawing mega current as it blew. Average homeowner wld probably just put a new bulb in and replace fuse.
Probably over thinking it but also worth checking ir/ for a LE or LN short if you want the practice.
 
those modern gu10 ceiling spots do not like 3 wires coming into them (ceiling rose style).
most likely someone used chocbloc+tape and something got shorted. use table lamp tonite , wait till morning, isolate the circuit and have a look in there before reconnecting.
 
Has a lamp not blown?...

As the GU10 blows it creates a plasma arc which can be in the 1000s of amps. This causing the protective device to operate. Some lamps have internal fuses but many cheap lamps don't, So will operate the circuit protective device.
 
The lamp that looked bright this morning probably had a partially shorted filament. If one leg of it sags and touches another, the length in circuit is reduced, the current increased and it glows brightly until it soon fails completely, often with an arc. That lamp will be heavily blackened. Replace and change fuse. In theatre lighting where large lamps are pushed hard, it is normal for a lamp to take out the fuse or breaker when it blows.
 
The lamp that looked bright this morning probably had a partially shorted filament. If one leg of it sags and touches another, the length in circuit is reduced, the current increased and it glows brightly until it soon fails completely, often with an arc. That lamp will be heavily blackened. Replace and change fuse. In theatre lighting where large lamps are pushed hard, it is normal for a lamp to take out the fuse or breaker when it blows.
the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long Lucien...

probably why i need to book my place in one of these care homes i have been ECR`ing just of late....
 

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