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Scene: Halogen lights recessed into the ceiling, little things - about 12 of them. Also two sets of halogen lights under the cupboards, one set of 3 lights under each cupboard.
The ceiling lights have been committing suicide slowly, to the point where only 3 come on - taken about 2 years.
The cupboards lights went all at once, one set at a time. Seems right as they're on their own transformers.
I'm assuming that these transformer things need replacing in both the ceiling and cupboard lights (switching the lights made no difference); but I have no idea about these things - they seem expensive to get the ones I've got (plus two of them are totally in German); so what are the pertinent details I need to look for in replacing, to try and find some cheaper ones? I'm assuming load & voltage are key, but frequencies etc??
Googling in ignorance, which seems dangerous with electrics.
Any (sound!) advice gratefully received.
Cheers, Rich
Usually there's one transformer to one ceiling fitting (60va each)
The cupboard lights could be done one of two ways (usually)
1 x 60va transformer will do three of your cupboard lights, assuming they're 20W each. So one transformer connected to a junction box running to three lights.
Or
You have a 'kit' where the three lights or more plug into a unique transformer. If you can't find the correct transformer to take the fittings plugs you'll have to snip them off and revert to the above.
I pay about £3.50 plus VAT for a 60va transformer
Thanks, so when looking for 60va transformer for the ceiling, I needs no further differentiation of one type from another?
This is the ceiling ones: http://www.collingwoodlighting.com/cnb/shop/collingwood?op=catalogue-product_info-null&prodCategoryID=18&productID=709&topLevelCatID=5
..and I must have the "kit" on the cupboards; the three lights just run into one of these below, and then stop. No sign of this mystical junction box you talk of.
http://uk.farnell.com/oep-oxford-electrical-products/60t-2/transformer-lv-lighting-60va/dp/1172435
That green Collingwood one is a very basic 'matchbox' transformer. Anything will be as good as or better than that. Try Aurora.
That second one seems to be a basic 60va transformer as well. Looks like there is just a 2 core feed and two supply wires, no sockets. Are the under cupboard lights in series 'daisy chain'
Anyway just disconnect, remove and replace. Of course isolate first etc.
Yes, they're in series under cupboard.
I'll get googling with some more confidence now; thanks very much for your help.
They're a consumable item and relatively easy to replace.
Get an electrician in, electricity is dangerous and can kill don't take a chance with it to save a couple o quid.
In fairness easier than changing a plug. Far easier than making up an extension lead, and well within the remit of a bloke with a terminal driver.
I was okay until the words "kill" and "terminal" were used in concurrent posts.
terminal (screw terminals)
It's illegal to do certain electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms without certification.
Pretty much illegal to touch any electrics in the home these days, well, over 12v anyway!
Why not go LED....? Nothing wrong with the Collingwood traffo (I might possibly work for them so would say that!!)
Because retro fit LEDs for 12V lighting are rubbish. They don't like the fluctuations in supply from transformers.
It's not a criminal offence to touch your electrics.
It's just a replaceable item, no new circuit is required, you're not changing anything. Undo the old one and put in the new one. You could cause more problems changing a fuse. (for the wrong size)
I fitted 12v led flexible strip lights under wall units and on top to bounce light up. Easy peasy to do and nobody died during the install
Check the bulbs are the correct wattage, I killed a transformer in my living room light as I didn't realise the light came with 10w bulbs, I had fitted some 20w replacements.
Had to butcher the inside of the ceiling pendant so I could fit an aftermarket transformer in place of the original round one.
I wasn't thinking a retrofit 12v, was suggesting a full replacement led fitting.
Illegal? Competent person I thought?
Don't get a transformer at B&Q. Damn expensive. Got mine at screwfix for pennies as noted above.
A competent person is anyone who is competent, it's not illegal to change like for like i.e. one transformer for another, a socket for another etc. only if you're putting in new circuits or adding a complete new outlet or fitting.
Having said that if you don't know what you're doing then you are NOT competent and should seek advice from someone who knows. I see a lot of bodged electrics in my job and some of it is plain scary!
Thanks for all replies; I was looking for guidance mainly in what pertinent numbers I should be noting if buying different than what is already installed. I gather from replies they're all the same, aside from the max load?
Screwfix good advice thanks. Competence is equal to how much a person is concentrating, in the main and imo. Unless of course you're a total blithering idiot, or dangerously arrogant...which I'll know the answer to when I flick the circuit back on 🙂
Thanks again.
Hope you don't have the same reason I had for ceiling spots failing - rats gnawing the cables.
Fortunately there is a roof void above for access, so put down a bowl of slaymore & spliced in new cables as quickly as i could; the smell of urine-soaked fibreglass loft insulation is not a good working environment and defeats cheap masks.
B-S - my house was owned by an electrician before me. Having had to deal with electrical issues I'm wondering if he's still in employment.
The issue I had with my transformer was that it wasn't man enought for the job.