transformers/dimmer

[Zaffy]

My dimmer switch servicing six 12volt MR16 went. Pushed it in and nothing happened, no click. Replaced it with new component. Stil did not work. Replaced the two transformers. Still does not work. Any advice/tips before I call in an electrician?

 

[telectrix]

have you still got power to the switch? to be honest, this would involve live working and if you a. are not competent. b, don't have the correct test equipment, then call a spark .

 

[Zaffy]

have you still got power to the switch? to be honest, this would involve live working and if you a. are not competent. b, don't have the correct test equipment, then call a spark .

A more competent friend tested the wires with a neon tester, he said they were live.

 

[Plonker 3]

That means nothing, get a electrician in a neon will prove nothing apart from his knowledge of electrics is zero.

 

[DPG]

Oh dear. Get ready for it.......... Daz

 

[telectrix]

could be that the transformers and dimmer are incompatible.

 

[telectrix]

A more competent friend tested the wires with a neon tester, he said they were live.


​hope he's still live.

 

[Zaffy]

Why all the jokes?

Friend had a small srewdriver with light. Light lit up, hence the wire is live.

Am I missing something?

 

[Octopus]

My money's on the dimmer being busted!

 

[Zaffy]

could be that the transformers and dimmer are incompatible.

Telectrix. How can I tell if the transformer and dimmer are incompatible? I replaced the transformer with like for like, the dimmer component is not the same make but I was assured it was equivalent.

 

[Plonker 3]

Maybe a neutral, maybe not enough voltage which a "neon" wont tell you, your friend could have killed himself. You are missing plenty of things. Call a electrician in or even post your location on here and maybe someone on here could come and have a PROPER look for you. Shouldn't take too long to resolve the issue.

 

[telectrix]

to a competent sparks, a neon screwdriver is like a brain surgeon using a chain saw.

 

[Plonker 3]

Telectrix. How can I tell if the transformer and dimmer are incompatible? I replaced the transformer with like for like, the dimmer component is not the same make but I was assured it was equivalent.

Is the transformer dimmable?

 

[Octopus]

Have you calculated the load?

You could be exceeding the load that the dimmer can stand.

 

[mickys86]

Why all the jokes?

Friend had a small srewdriver with light. Light lit up, hence the wire is live.

Am I missing something?

Let's just say the neon light is frowned upon. It isn't gs38 approved test equipment and are considered very dangerous

 

[telectrix]

zaffy, what wattage is the dimmer, and what's the VA of the transformers?

 

[mickys86]

Try replacing with a normal light switch.

An electrician would be my first point of call though

 

[Zaffy]

zaffy, what wattage is the dimmer, and what's the VA of the transformers?

Transformer VA 35-105W

Richmond lighting 230 v dimmer component 500W 400VA

There are two transformers for 6 12 volt downlights.

 

[Zaffy]

I forgot to say it is a double dimmer the other half of the dimmer works fine and serves an ordinary lightbulb.

 

[Guest112]

manufacturers instructions

 

[telectrix]

assuming that each lamp is 50watts, then you are loading a 105 watt tranny with 150watts a 35-105 tranny should be 1 tranny for 1 downlight.

 

[mickys86]

I forgot to say it is a double dimmer the other half of the dimmer works fine and serves an ordinary lightbulb.

I installed a two gang dimmer yesterday. One side worked fine and the other didn't. After deciding it was faulty, being a qualified sparks I decided to poke it with my (1000v insulated vde) screwdriver.
This is no word of a lie. It sparked, made a popping noise and caught fire. It looked like magnesium burning. I turned it off put a 2g switch on and I'll be going back in the week to replace it.

Call a qualified sparks!!

 

[telectrix]

dimmers, the scourge of my life. should be put with the neons under the hammer.

 

[Plonker 3]

Have you changed the lamps in the fittings recently?

 

[Zaffy]

manufacturers instructions

Sorry, not sure what you mean.

 

[Zaffy]

Have you changed the lamps in the fittings recently?

Yes, have changed them.

 

[Zaffy]

I installed a two gang dimmer yesterday. One side worked fine and the other didn't. After deciding it was faulty, being a qualified sparks I decided to poke it with my (1000v insulated vde) screwdriver.
This is no word of a lie. It sparked, made a popping noise and caught fire. It looked like magnesium burning. I turned it off put a 2g switch on and I'll be going back in the week to replace it.

Call a qualified sparks!!

If I do, I won't be calling you.

 

[Zaffy]

assuming that each lamp is 50watts, then you are loading a 105 watt tranny with 150watts a 35-105 tranny should be 1 tranny for 1 downlight.

Each light is 20watt

 

[Plonker 3]

So the lamps in them now are 20 watt each? How lamps does 1 transformer feed?

 

[Zaffy]

So the lamps in them now are 20 watt each? How lamps does 1 transformer feed?

Three each, I presume.

 

[Plonker 3]

Presume or know?

 

[mickys86]

If I do, I won't be calling you.

Faulty switch can hardly be helped mate, And the fact that you've been playing about with your electrics putting lives at risk because you don't wanna spend any money on a professional means I doubt I'd wanna touch it anyway

 

[mickys86]

Three each, I presume.

Presumption is the biggest f up of all

 

[Zaffy]

As some have suggested, I think my only last option is to ditch the dimmer.

 

[Zaffy]

Yes, agree, presumption is as good as don't know, so in that case, I do not know.

 

[Plonker 3]

Have you called a electrician to come round at look at it yet? Sounds like that is definatley what is needed now.

 

[Zaffy]

I shall replace dimmer with on off switch. If that does not work, it is over to the pro.
Looks like we have exhausted the subject. Thanks for all your help.

 

[telectrix]

dunno about the subject, but i'm exhausted. time for a beer.

 

[bugsy]

1- put neon screwdriver back in the drawer
2- call local eectrician
3- part with £50.00
4- sleep well that night

 

[Marvo]

If you're going to carry on without test equipment then all you can do is replace the dimmer with a normal light switch. If everything works then the dimmer is faulty.

Problem is if the dimmer is faulty you need to find out why otherwise you're going to replace it and the new one could be damaged for the same reason. This brings it full circle back to needing test equipment so I would advise phoning your favorite electrician.