Cheap Halogens Occasionally Flickering

[lumenmachine]

Hello,

Had a call-out today for a lady who was concerned about 'flashing' lights throughout her house. The 'flashing' happens about once every 10 minutes, and the lamp essentially goes off for a split second. The issue happens across both of the lighting circuits. I've checked at the board and within the lighting JBs in the attic for loose connections but everything is nice and tight. The only thing I can think of is that the cheap halogen GLS lamps in use are causing this to happen, although I'm having trouble thinking of a reason why they would do this (if they even are).

Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[Octopus]

Replace a lamp with a decent brand .................. did you check the incoming tails at the CU and the meter and the head?

Is there sizzling or crackling from the DNO head?

 

[lumenmachine]

Checked the lot, I reckon it's the lamps and I'm over-thinking it. The 'flashing' happens independently; i.e. when the lounge light 'flashes' the kitchen doesn't etc.

 

[Squid]

Tell her all her neighbours have the "expensive" ones.

 

[camerabloke]

Are they leds

 

[lumenmachine]

No, just the Halogen GLS lamps you get instead of Filament lamps nowadays.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Had a call-out today for a lady who was concerned about 'flashing' lights throughout her house. The 'flashing' happens about once every 10 minutes, and the lamp essentially goes off for a split second. The issue happens across both of the lighting circuits. I've checked at the board and within the lighting JBs in the attic for loose connections but everything is nice and tight. The only thing I can think of is that the cheap halogen GLS lamps in use are causing this to happen, although I'm having trouble thinking of a reason why they would do this (if they even are).

it was not close encounters was it?

 

[Octopus]

Did you check ALL the CU connections? including checking the buzz bars are the correct side of the clamps

 

[buzzlightyear]

No, just the Halogen GLS lamps you get instead of Filament lamps nowadays.

not seated write in the pins !

 

[Squid]

Are they leds

There is a clue in the title.......

 

[lumenmachine]

Did you check ALL the CU connections? including checking the buzz bars are the correct side of the clamps

Yes, Checked the lot; nothing amiss

 

[buzzlightyear]

Yes, Checked the lot; nothing amiss

no contact then!

 

[Octopus]

Have you seen it happen?

 

[lumenmachine]

Have you seen it happen?

Yes, I was really hoping it was 'all in her head'

 

[Octopus]

Nice .........

So its all rooms, both circuits, and you say ALL the connections are tight ...............

my money is on the incoming supply / connections

 

[lumenmachine]

Nice .........

So its all rooms, both circuits, and you say ALL the connections are tight ...............

my money is on the incoming supply / connections

Outwith the property then? If that were the case wouldn't the lights 'flash' in sync?

 

[Adam W]

If they have table lamps do they dip as well?

 

[Octopus]

Or your client has somebody using a welder in the garage ..........

 

[lumenmachine]

I thought it might be to do with a load somewhere else too, but the 'flashing' occurred with just the lighting circuits energised. RE the table lamps, no - only the ceiling lights which had the Halogen GLS lamps in them.

 

[Adam W]

In parts of Southampton the supply sometimes 'dips' when it's fed from different networks or something; apparently when the H&S manager is sitting at home and the lights dip he knows he's going to get a call from the factory because certain machines have stopped.

 

[123]

Checked the lot, I reckon it's the lamps and I'm over-thinking it. The 'flashing' happens independently; i.e. when the lounge light 'flashes' the kitchen doesn't etc.

How has this been checked? You can't be in two rooms at once to see it happen.

 

[dmxtothemax]

I have come across this problem before,
It is usually caused by poor connection between the lamp and base.
these lights produce considerable heat, and the bases run hot
So they deteriorate, this can cause intermittant contact.
the only long term solution is to replace the base and the lamp,
as it usually causes damage to the pins and there coating.
Bases are usually easy to obtain and replace.

 

[lumenmachine]

How has this been checked? You can't be in two rooms at once to see it happen.

Stood in the living room with the door to the kitchen open so both living room and kitchen lights were on view