weird problem on lighting in commercial offices.... HELP!

[piperm]

Ok.. I got called out to a job this morning which was in a small office building.. When i got there the customer told me that he went in early.. Turned all the lighting on as he normally does and suddenly all the lights started flicking on and off. All the lights (15) are 5ft compact fluorescents. he said that they were flickering like they usually do on start up BUT they were doing it for a good few minutes and it was on every fitting. He then pulled all the fuses out of the DB board incase of a serious problem.

I went there and everything seemed ok. Lights were starting up perfect everytime, except for a second where they would dim slightly and then go up to normal level and it would do this quite frequently, but he told me its done that ever since his business moved in.


The 15 lights are split over 2 5A circuits in an old Wylex Re-wireable fuse DB Board. Theres that board which does those, 2 water heaters and the alarm system and another board which is doing Power and CCTV and a Boiler. The Power board doesnt seem to be affected though.

Since i left site he rang up again and said the lights were flickering again but they stopped during the phone call.

I've suggested a possible fault with the mains supplier and to possibly get on to them if the problem persists...

Just wondering if it could be anything else and if so what?? and how to sort it

Sorry for the Essay

Matt

 

[bugsy]

Are they switch start Matt, and how old is the installation

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Check on your side of the installation for anything which may cause a drop in voltage to the DB....dodgy connection/main switch etc. Also check cutout and meters for signs of heat suggesting bad connection....if everything is ok it may be on the supply side,but something somewhere is most likely causing a drop in voltage.

 

[sparks1234]

My guess would be a neutral problem somewhere​

 

[Jason Smith]

not experienced a lot of flourescents myslf, but was privvy to a conversation wherby Lots of Fluros need a type c breaker because of high start up currents. I would get the calculator out first and work back . However am watching this post closely as it touches on weak areas of mine.Good post mate .

 

[piperm]

Yes Bugsy They are all switch start fittings.

I dropped all the fittings down Wirepuller and i couldnt see any problems. the only thing i didnt check was the loft space for rodents biting cables as i had no steps at the time. but due to it been an intermittent problem i doubt its that. I checked inside the DB board and everything seemed ok. No heat or flashes down to earth. The installation is quite old thought, with having the old boards and 2plated lighting was present too

Its the 1st time it happend today sparks1234 and he said the last time he had installation works on the electrics was over a year ago and so im guessing he would of picked up neutral faults before then. i did pick up a pinched neutral on 1 of the fittings. I couldnt see where it went but its there.

Cheers Jason. its an old re-wireable board.. i dont think theres a 'type' on those ones.. its just a carrier with abit of wire inside.. . . different thinkness for different size circuit. i know the one circuit has 9 flurries on it. and 9 lights on 1 5a circuit is quite high, esp with start-up current but he said he switched on all rooms individually so the start-up current isnt so high and again.. with it been the 1st time its happened .. im not so sure

 

[Sintra]

Sounds to me that it could be an external problem.
I would check adjoining properties and ask if they had any similar problems.

 

[mogga]

Asking other properties is a good idea Company i worked for had problems in stores " the lights flicker when turned on for about ten to fifteen mins!" flou fittings with electronic starters fitted about 4-5 years ago coming to end of life replaced with bog cheapo newlec and new tubes problem Sorted Also point to remember is Clients can sometimes describe a "Fault" as massive when its just a switch off thats "never been turned off before M8"

 

[Jason Smith]

just been on the voltimum site and the question of the day is exactly your problem. Apparently it is caused by the electronic switching devices drawing their power from the load as there is a fault in the neutral, have a look as it a bit technical for me !

 

[bugsy]

Yes Bugsy They are all switch start fittings.

I dropped all the fittings down Wirepuller and i couldnt see any problems. the only thing i didnt check was the loft space for rodents biting cables as i had no steps at the time. but due to it been an intermittent problem i doubt its that. I checked inside the DB board and everything seemed ok. No heat or flashes down to earth. The installation is quite old thought, with having the old boards and 2plated lighting was present too

Its the 1st time it happend today sparks1234 and he said the last time he had installation works on the electrics was over a year ago and so im guessing he would of picked up neutral faults before then. i did pick up a pinched neutral on 1 of the fittings. I couldnt see where it went but its there.

Cheers Jason. its an old re-wireable board.. i dont think theres a 'type' on those ones.. its just a carrier with abit of wire inside.. . . different thinkness for different size circuit. i know the one circuit has 9 flurries on it. and 9 lights on 1 5a circuit is quite high, esp with start-up current but he said he switched on all rooms individually so the start-up current isnt so high and again.. with it been the 1st time its happened .. im not so sure

Check your n return path if its o'k swap the lot for electronic