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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> E/L Question- Help please https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1241208269 Message started by Kennee-Eddie on May 1^st, 2009, 9:04pm

Title: E/L Question- Help please
Post by Kennee-Eddie on May 1^st, 2009, 9:04pm

Hi,
Ive starting an apprenticeship as an electrician and been doing so for
about a year now and starting to go out and do some jobs on my own.
I dont like asking the boss all the time on some silly questions so Im hoping you guys might help.
As you know this trade is very difficult and takes alot of care and attention, its not for idiots.
I think my problem is I look into things to much and always need to solve the problem or know what the problem is instead of just saying " Its broken you need a new one"
I have been working on some SELV spot lights E/L.
They are fine when you cut the power to them the E/L works great but
when there is no power going to them the red LED lights up as if they are charging but the light stays on slightly (dimmed).This is x2 lights in series.
I changed the bulbs, checked the voltage of the batterys 12v DC ok, the earth and 230v to the lights and all ok.
Thanks for any advise.
Is it right to say the lights need replacing??

Title: Re: E/L Question- Help please
Post by The_Trician on May 2^nd, 2009, 12:54am

Always go for the cheapest and most common option first.

I had a similar problem recently - didn't even bother to test the batteries, but I changed the tubes and starters and everything worked fine after that - including the 3 hour 'endurance test'.

EDIT - Just reread, and you say you are using tungsten PAR spotlight type emergency lights.
Don't forget - any drain on thee batteries, even for a brief moment, will trigger the charging cct once mains has been restored. This is normal.
To test the batteries, just knock the mains off and time how long the the spots stay lit.
Then, check this against the manufacturers specs for the fitting(s)

Don't condemn out of hand until you have checked thoroughly first.

TT