Dimmer switch

tim'll fix it · Post by **tim'll fix it** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:19 am

if they are flashing there could be a loose connection somewhere, which could cause a spark. I would leave them off to be on the safe side

markysparky · Post by **markysparky** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:53 pm

Rich Sum wrote:Ok heres an update

I have checked the fuse box for loose connections all ok. When I turned the power back on the lights were working,
After turning the lights on and off a few times I got a shock from one of the switches, which was then replaced and the lights tried again. They worked ok a few times but then started flickering.
I decided to change all the light switches thinking more than 1 was faulty. again the power was turned back on. the lights were turned on and off again, the lights flickered again and went off, Now i`m back to square one and have nothing.

Is it possible the cable is shorting out some where in the circuit :

Agree with Tim,

You definitly have a loose connection somewhere. Or a terminal screw is screwing into the insulation more than the copper

And because you were tinkering in the consumer unit when the lights came on then that is more than likely where the fault is.

Did you check the neutral as well as the live? Remember! if there is no neutral but a live is there it will still not work. Look for burn marks around the bottom of the insulation where the copper conductor is terminated. This would be a clue as to wether you have a bad connection.

The fault must either be at the consumer unit or the the 1st light from the consumer unit. Because non of the lights work. So the fault must be either at one of the 2 points.

And remember! if there is a neutral fault there will still be live current at the lights on both live and neutral wires even though they don't work so be carefull

Rich Sum · Post by **Rich Sum** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:14 pm

Thanks Marky for your reply.
I will check all connections again and make sure the terminals are not screwed into the insulation instead of the copper wire.
I always trn off the power before opening / touching any electrical supply but thanks for the advice.
If that doesnt work its deffinately time for a sparky

Thanks again