The lights have gone off!

[wizer]

Hi Guys

We had some major power cuts a couple of weeks ago and since then one of our lights has stopped working. It's a pair of halagon fittings that are powered via one of these Touch control simmer switches. Since the power came back on these lights have been completely dead. Everything else is fine in the house. I thought that there might be a fuse in the switch but, alas, not. Could it be the transformers in the light fittings? Or is it possible all the light bulbs have blown?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Tom K]

For Use with Resistive and Inductive Loads
Compatible with dimmable electronic transformers & Tungsten Lamps without De-Rating
Integrated over-temperature protection fuse Module case ultrasonically sealed to reduce buzzing
Smooth dimming operation from 0-100% light output
Fits plaster depth box 16mm

Quick check with electrical screwdriver?

 

[OLD]

Join through the switch to check that first .

 

[wizer]

Ahh I did check the power to the switch and it was positive. The switch has a sealed box behind it. I assume this contains a fuse from Tom's info above.

OLD when you say "Join through the switch to check that first ." Do you mean to touch the wires together to check if the lights come on?

 

[Tom K]

Hmm.. that would work OR just check its live coming out with a tester. Fiddly with that style of switch I know. Jes don't zapp yeself :shock:

 

[RobertMP]

If it does turn out to be broken I've been using these for some time. It is a touch dimmer but also works off a remote control. You can use any remote you have laying around to control them - just put the switch in learning mode and it will respond to the incoming signal and save it.

 

[lurker]

. Jes don't zapp yeself :shock:

Come on!!

You are talking about Wizer here, not some clumsy oaf :roll:

 

[lurker]

What does a sarcasm emoticon look like :duno:

 

[matt]

Are they 240v? My money is on the switch being knack'd based on my past experience. Some switches just don't seem to like the lights being switched off by another means (i.e. a bulb blowing or, in this case, a power cut); even if they are spec'd for mains halogen. I swapped makes of switch after two failures and currently waiting for a bulb to blow to see if I've struck lucky this time!

 

[wizer]

Thanks guys. I decided against touching the wires together There is power to the wires, I've used a tester on them. I'm going to try putting a normal switch on there when I get round to it. I'd rather not disturb the light fittings if possible (I installed them ).

Robert. That's exactly the unit I'm using, we use our TV remote which has a spare button on it for on/off/dimmer. Very useful bit of kit as I prefer the main lights on when reading rather than the table lamp. The remote keeps the peace when HID comes to bed. :lol:

Oh and Lurker, I have no idea what on EARTH you are talking about....

:lol:

 

[matt]

Thanks guys. I decided against touching the wires together

Rather than mess about with another switch you could simply wire both wires in to the same terminal on the existing switch. This would have the same effect as bypassing the switch without you having to actually hold the wires together.

 

[wizer]

ah yeh that sounds safer. Cheers matt, will try it in a bit

 

[wizer]

Thanks all. It was indeed a fried switch. Swapped it out for a standard switch and there is once again light in our lives...

 

[Grinding One]

Glad you figured it out Wizer,but next time try a new bulb first...always work your way backward in Electrical problems and never put two wires together unless YOU know they are DEAD.....Putting two wires together is call welding :lol: The Flash is the next thing you will see,Big white lite...then the burning stuff flying around.....