Anyone know a good electrician?

Gayle · 23-11-2005, 17:57

Lights in our house keep going pop. Need someone to come and have a look at them.

Neil · 23-11-2005, 18:18

Explain a bit more and I might be able to help

Gayle · 23-11-2005, 18:20

Lights keep going in pop! I'm a girl I'm not supposed to understand these things.

Gayle · 23-11-2005, 18:29

Hi Neil,

Chris here, I might be able to give you more info.

Firstly, we have an old Fusebox, (big ceramic thing), which needs the lighting fuse wire replacing every week or so about this time of year.

Secondly, I replaced some lights a few weeks ago and noticed some extremely weird wiring - I did the best I could to tidy it up but electrician I aint.

Thirdly, as Gayle says - Lights go pop, or they fizzle, (watching TV last night and a light just fizzled and went out).

Ideas?

Neil · 23-11-2005, 18:38

Are the bulbs blowing or is it just the fuse?
Do you have only one fuse for all lights in house?
DO you have sh*t loads ( technical ) of lights on when they go out?

Gayle · 23-11-2005, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Are the bulbs blowing or is it just the fuse?
Do you have only one fuse for all lights in house?
DO you have sh*t loads ( technical ) of lights on when they go out?

Usually just bulbs blowing randomly when the lights are switched on. Sometimes the whole fuse goes and all the lights are out.

We have a few fuses for the house and it is only the downstairs ones that tend to go. They are on a circuit on their own.

No, can sometimes be when the first light is switched on.

garinda · 23-11-2005, 23:15

Move into a caravan in the garden before you even attempt to turn on the fairy lights!

My flat in London was like that, old and jerry wired. I had to have it all rewired, I hope you don't.

Gayle · 24-11-2005, 08:40

Looks likely Garinda, oh well, at least it will force me to redecorate the living room.

Less · 24-11-2005, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

Looks likely Garinda, oh well, at least it will force me to redecorate the living room.

Wasn't there a building in Paris where the Architect put all the water pipes and electrical cables on the outside? Couldn't you adapt this scheme for your house? It would save on having to re-decorate!

Gayle · 24-11-2005, 09:07

Yes, and watch as our local friendly youths electrocute themselves trying to vandalise it! Actually, Less, good idea!!!!! lol

Neil · 24-11-2005, 14:57

Another question Gayle. Is it the same bulbs that blow or random ones?

Gayle · 24-11-2005, 15:01

Random. At one point or other they've all gone. I suppose there are a couple that are most frequent. We've got an open plan living and dining room that has seven wall lights and three centre lights in the spaces. The centre light in the dining room goes far more often than the two in the living room and one of the wall lights in the dining room and one in the living room go far more often than the others.

Chris installed a four way light in the toilet room and within a week three of them had gone. The three way light in the bathroom is currently down to two lights.

Some lights never go - the one at the top of the stairs, the ones in our bedroom and Zack's but Maddie's go quite often.

It's very random!

Neil · 24-11-2005, 15:09

Do your nieghbours have the same problem because it can sometimes be caused by a high supply voltage?

Gayle · 24-11-2005, 18:48

Hi Neil - Chris here again,

Fuse box has 6 slots in it, (downstairs ring main, downstairs lights, Upstairs ring main & immersion, Upstairs lights, Cooker and spare). Its mainly the downstairs lighting circuit that blows from a fuse perspective.

With regards to the lights - all of the downstairs ones blow at some point or another - Upstairs ones can blow aswell but not as frequently.

Neighbours dont have the same problem as us, but having said that I think they have their electricity from a different route???

A few years back we had a volt / amp meter plugged in for a couple of weeks to monitor for spikes but it didnt find anything.

Does that help?

Neil · 24-11-2005, 19:44

I am asuming that the bulbs you are using are decent ones. One of the things that may cause bulbs to blow is loose connections in switches, ceiling roses and bulb holders. Possibly loose connections on the fuse holder in the fuse box. I am not really into domestic wiring, my area of expertise is industrial. I will have a word with a couple of lads I know and see if they have any ideas. As far as the fuse blowing that is very common when a buld blows. As it blows it can pull excessive current which can blow the fuse. Is it a Wylex fuse box. If so I have a 6 amp MCB replacement for the original wylex fuses you can have if you like. It won't solve the problem but at least it is easier to switch back on when it trips instead of rewiring the fuse.