A few months ago I installed some pot lights for a customer (the pots got a 5/5 customer rating on the store website). Two of the pots constantly blow out the halogen bulbs. They are on two different switches (and one of them is one of four run by the same switch).
Any ideas why the bulbs keep getting blown?
Are you a general contractor? Or a Home Owner ?
First thing I would get a licensed Electrician to look at it. It could be fixtures are faulty, it could be wrong wire connections, could be short circuit or any of the listed problems need to get it reviewed by electrician.
Money and time well spent.
Sounds like there is too much current flowing to the bulbs. Call an electrician so they can trace the line.
What is above the light fixtures? If there is a second-floor the vibration of people walking will cause premature failure of the lightbulbs.
Brett,
I have run into this in the past. I had two units out of an install of fifty seven burn out their bulbs quickly.
I found there were some small chunks broken out of the ceramic receptical of one pott. I replaced that and the problem was solved. The other one remained a mystery. I just removed it and installed a new one.
After that there was no further problem.
I am assuming you installed them in proper boxes if in an attic. Or if they are close to insulation of any kind. Even sound proofing in part of a cieling or interior wall. Accasionally being mounted in an area to enclosed such as a 2"x8" support on one side and the subfloor being close above as you can find in 1960 and older homes will do it. The heat won't disapate quickly enough.
If you have checked the wiring, within the pot and the receptical and the install is good, I would replace both units.
Hope this helped.
James Fram
Thanks everyone.
This was a basement reno with no sound proofing between floors. The areas above these two lights don't have too much traffic. I will swap out the two problem ones and see if that works.
If you installed the fixtures yourself, there could be many things to check as all of these pot light jobs can be different.
Did you do a load test on the line previous to installation?
Did you ensure the neutral is not floating?
Are the grounds tight?
Have you used sub-standard bulbs?
Some trims have foam for humidity for use in shower areas, this foam can help if the issue is vibrations.
PAR 20 bulbs have a tendancy of blowing faster that MR-16 120 volt versions.
Heat can be a problem, was it the bulbs that blew or the thermal cut-out?
Is there a dimmer? Not all dimmers can run halogen or ratings of more than specific values -150w, 300w, 600w, 1000w dimmers
You could try LED bulbs.
Most important, did you get an ESA permit?
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