Faulty light fixture

xplosiv · Post by **xplosiv** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:08 am

Hi All,

I've recently moved into a new house and the bedroom the light doesn't work. I've just wired up a new fixture in case that was faulty, but still no joy. Basically, when i flick the light switch on/off the bulb flickers on for a split second - that's it! I’m guessing i'll need to get an electrician in (because i'm no good at electrics), but before i do i just thought i'd see if anyone here has any ideas on what could be the cause..?

Thanks!

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:37 pm

it really could be a number of things. i'm afraid this case is one that requires a series of logical tests.
i can guess at what it is or tell you what to test but without the right testing equipment you will not be able to do it anyway.

unclek · Post by **unclek** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:40 pm

Turn the light switch on then tap around the switch.

Does the light flicker? Loose wire in the switch?

What kind of light fitting is it?

xplosiv · Post by **xplosiv** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:56 am

unclek wrote:Turn the light switch on then tap around the switch.

Does the light flicker? Loose wire in the switch?

What kind of light fitting is it?

Thanks for the reply. I tried tapping around the light switch but nothing happened.

It's just a regular light fitting-nothing fancy.

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:54 am

If each time you try and turn on the light it always flickers momentarily, I would guess at a faulty switch (this effect is often accompanied by a crackle?), but just a guess ( I presume when you said you wired up a new fixture, you meant the lamp fitting?)

xplosiv · Post by **xplosiv** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:24 pm

Hoovie wrote:If each time you try and turn on the light it always flickers momentarily, I would guess at a faulty switch (this effect is often accompanied by a crackle?), but just a guess ( I presume when you said you wired up a new fixture, you meant the lamp fitting?)

hi.....yep a lamp fitting. and i also took off the cover to the thing above the lamp fitting (attached to the ceiling) and it all looked quite new and all the wires look connected up.

so one option could be a faulty switch...is it all quite straight forward under the cover of a light switch? would a novice (aka me) be able to replace one?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:31 pm

xplosiv wrote:
Hoovie wrote:If each time you try and turn on the light it always flickers momentarily, I would guess at a faulty switch (this effect is often accompanied by a crackle?), but just a guess ( I presume when you said you wired up a new fixture, you meant the lamp fitting?)
hi.....yep a lamp fitting. and i also took off the cover to the thing above the lamp fitting (attached to the ceiling) and it all looked quite new and all the wires look connected up.

so one option could be a faulty switch...is it all quite straight forward under the cover of a light switch? would a novice (aka me) be able to replace one?

Most light switches are simply to replace.

But before you go and buy a new one, you could always swap it with another one to make sure it is the switch that is causing the problem-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/repla ... switch.htm