Gu 10 Philips customer supplied. Keep blowing

[DaveyD]

Hi everyone
just fitted customer supplied icage down lighters and gu10s which were Philips I believe. There are over 20 on three seperate circuits. Customer says they keep blowing. Has anyone else has this problem? Seem to think its my fault. Thanks in advance. David.

 

[mickys86]

Could it be possible that they are overheating? If there's no where for the heat to escape it could cause this.

 

[DaveyD]

Could it be possible that they are overheating? If there's no where for the heat to escape it could cause this.

Thanks for your reply. True but these icage allow air flow. It's like an open can.

 

[telectrix]

try putting them on rotary dimmers. then they soft start. less chance of blowing on the peak of the sine wave.

 

[DaveyD]

try putting them on rotary dimmers. then they soft start. less chance of blowing on the peak of the sine wave.

Thank you. The are all two way.
Interestingly he just said the the new radial I put in for his AV cupboard has blown three of his AV equipment. Circuit tested out fine. Surge?

 

[telectrix]

similar problems on more than 1 circuit leads to possible poor connections in or before CU, or a high voltage spike on the supply.

 

[DaveyD]

Thank you. Other than retesting the circuits and nipping up the cOnnections is there any more I can do?

 

[telectrix]

short of fitting a voltage monitor, nope!

 

[DaveyD]

I was a blackboard monitor at school. Perhaps they will pay me to watch ....
tel. I'm interested in your suggestions. I have to pop over there and have a look on Friday and see if it's a fault with my wiring. Will post any sensible results. Thank you again for your help.
Anyone else have problems with this before? TIA

 

[Guitarist]

GU10's are notorious for random blowing. You can always ask the DNO to put a voltage monitor on the supply if you suspect spikes. Had this on my property a few years ago, when lights would get dim and then bright at random times. DNO guy came back after a week and found that my supply voltage was dipping to the lowest, then rising to the highest "allowable" levels. As it was within guidelines they wouldn't do anything.

BTW, as customer supplied the fittings, and your wiring is all good, tell them that any call-outs will be chargeable.

 

[DaveyD]

GU10's are notorious for random blowing. You can always ask the DNO to put a voltage monitor on the supply if you suspect spikes. Had this on my property a few years ago, when lights would get dim and then bright at random times. DNO guy came back after a week and found that my supply voltage was dipping to the lowest, then rising to the highest "allowable" levels. As it was within guidelines they wouldn't do anything.

BTW, as customer supplied the fittings, and your wiring is all good, tell them that any call-outs will be chargeable.

Hmmmm, I'm too nice. TBH I'm concerned that he states ALL bulbs have blown that are GU10, he bought a few CFL's and a couple LED all to fit the icage. That's 15 in a week if what he says is true - I'm there on Friday. Would a loose connection at the DB cause that many to blow? TIA everyone.

Edit: I should mention that all CFL's and the couple of LED's are fine - its just the GU10's. I hope a loose connection would not have broken his AV gear

 

[Marvo]

I would check the circuit terminations from the fittings and switches back to the CU. I've seen a few frequent lamp failure problems cause by poor connections. If he's had problems on other circuits maybe check all the neutral bar connections as well as the supply back to the incoming source.

 

[Guitarist]

As tel says, soft start dimmer may help. Also a chance that the switch is arcing badly on "switch-off" causing a problem.

Fitted a 5 spot unit in my Dad's kitchen a few years ago, all philips lamps. All 5 dead within a month. Bought Osram replacements and they all died too very quickly. Was about to take the unit down when he tried some cheap lamps from Morrisons. They were all still working when he moved a year later. Go figure.

 

[Darkwood]

If all check out it may be possible supply transients and fitting an anti-surge device may help, is this premise located near large commercial or industrial units? Also enquire to the usage of lamps, you will be supprised that customers think gu10's should last years when thay are on 10hrs a day.

 

[DaveyD]

Oh, yea thanks. I have fitted loads before, but not icage and philips. I know the blow for fun but not 15 in a a couple of weeks.

 

[mogga]

We did a big house in edinburgh client supply Sylvania lamps blowing as quickly as we could replace them PIGs in a Poke so they are

 

[DaveyD]

We did a big house in edinburgh client supply Sylvania lamps blowing as quickly as we could replace them PIGs in a Poke so they are

How did that end?

 

[lister]

Vibration is the biggest gu10 killer ive found, especially when spots are fitted below the landing or with the kids bedroom above.

 

[AIM]

2nd to above, lister, I was thinking same as reading through thread. Also as Icage are open lamp holders are there any cold spots or draughts in floor/ceiling space above? GU10s don't hold up well when warmed up and subjected to sudden cold.

 

[DaveyD]

Thanks Guys. All my checks worked out OK - I'm in the clear

 

[timo1]

Its got to led lamps for me. You can buy 10 gu10 led lamps for £25 on ebay, cheap stuff I know but ones I have fitted have lasted 6 months and still going strong. At the least a couple of months gets you out of the "call back" time with the customer. I only charge them out at £3 as I look at it as an investment, I always feel like im making excuses when I blame the lights!!

 

[mickys86]

At the moment we're fitting aurora i9 (au-frl903) £30 a time but they're a good fitting with a nice light

You really do get what ya pay for