One for Electricians!

[jojo]

OK, I seem to have a wiring problem in the house, it seems that 9 times out of 10 times, when I switch a light on in the house and it decides to blow with a bright flicker and a quick pop, it also takes a fuse from the main fuse box with it, so i have to go into the garage to flick the switch. I've never had this problem in my previous house, so does this sound normal?

And the main reason for this post is the light I have at the top of the stairs from the landing is constantly flickering, it's on a dual circuit(not sure of the correct term?) where you can switch it on and off from either upstairs or downstairs, you guys know what i mean! But there seems to be some sort of current going through at a slow rate(when switched off) which causes the bulb to flicker every 5 secs or so, and reduces the lightbulbs life to one a month!, so i'm using an energy saver now which has lasted 6 months, but even that one flickers every 10 secs or so.... anyone got any ideas on this one?
I've been a bit suspect about the wiring in the home for sometime now, is it worth getting in an electrician to give it a once over for peace of mind? and anyone recommend any specialists/electricians in the Solihull area?

Thanks.

 

[jcs356]

Hi Jo,

When you say 'fuse' - do you mean a fuse, or a trip switch. A fuse will need a new piece of wire, a trip switch just means you flip the switch back on.

I'm not a qualified electrician, but I've rewired a kitchen and fitted a new ring main in the loft of my house. If it is a trip switch, then I'd say then it is doing its job by tripping out the electricity when the bulb pops. It is exactly the same in my place if a filament bulb pops. Fortunately most of my lighting is either low voltage halogen, or energy savers which don't cause a trip out.

Think of it this way - if you are cutting the grass and mow through the cable, you want the power to turn off. This is just the same thing, but applied to a lighting circuit.

In terms of a flickering bulb, sounds like a loose connection somewhere. Should only take a few minutes to turn the electricity off (the main switch that turns everything off, don't try to just isolate a single circuit), take off the switch plates in the hall and landing and check the connections, and ditto in the ceiling rose. I'd say it is probably a faulty switch.

 

[jojo]

Yes, trip switch mate, I'm not with it today lol

The trip switches never flip in the old house I was living in, when a bulb went, so I was wondering if it's normal for it todo so in my current house? Seems the norm from your reply though.

 

[neil.c]

Sounds like you have a problem, it could be something as simple as a faulty lightswitch or could be something incorectly wired. I would sugest changing the lightswitches and if this makes no difference then really you need to get an electrician in

 

[jcs356]

Seems the norm from your reply though.

Yeah, from my experience. I've lived in three houses with trip switches and they've all tripped off when a filament bulb has blown on a lighting circuit.

 

[Mo-S3]

Mine trip too when any bulb blows in the house. I'd say a small price to pay for piece of mind.
Get the wiring checked on both the switches and the light fitting itself.

 

[Biglockie]

I served my time as an electrician, If you do change the switches take note of the wiring when you do it.

It could be a loose connection in the ceilng rose, or in the back of the switches, but yes the MCB (miniture circuit breaker) will trip when the lamp blows as it sees it as a fault due to current flow differential.

Check the connections in the ceiling rose and the switches fella but be careful!! and isolate before you open any cover.

any more probs PM me fella

chris

 

[TDI-line]

Sounds expensive Joe, maybe a full re-wire.

 

[jojo]

Sounds expensive Joe, maybe a full re-wire.

That was just the answer I was looking for Dan - Thanks

 

[marmite]

Hi Jojo

RCD circuit breakers are great but can also be areal pain in the ****, really depends on how sensitive they are..Ours always blows when a bulb goes and if it a Halogen bulb it trips the whole board so we got to reset everything in the house.

I would do they same as above check conection and maybe replace some bulbs..I found cheap bulbs constantly blow so now use osram bulbs(halogen) in my kitchen and bathroom and never had a problem since

Good luck buddy

 

[dgannon69]

Is it an old house mate? could be Casper the friendly Ghost??

 

[jojo]

I would do they same as above check conection and maybe replace some bulbs..I found cheap bulbs constantly blow so now use osram bulbs(halogen) in my kitchen and bathroom and never had a problem since

Good luck buddy

Cheap bulbs! I use cheapo Tesco bulbs, could be the reason huh?

Think I will check the switches to fix the blinking problem.