Wiring Halogen Lights

craynerd · 20-11-2005, 7:04 PM

I understand that a proper electrician should do all electrical wiring so this is just for information use only.

I have just moved into my new property and i have got a halogen light for the hall way. I started off doing the living room normal bulb lights and all was well, removed green, blue and brown and reconected to corresponding wires and they all came on. When it was time to do the halogen light which also had blue, green and brown wires, i connected to those coming out of the ceiling corresponding and the damn thing wouldnt turn on!!! I have been told that halogens need to be connected differently, if this is true, how is it done?

Like i say this is just to test the lights are working!!

Thx
Cray

fortean · 20-11-2005, 8:24 PM

Halogens are connected the same way as normal lights; I have fitted 11 sets in my house. There are two types of halogen, one is mains and the other is low voltage. The low voltage type have a transformer in the light fitting.
In the ceiling you should have cable of black, green/yellow and two sets of red. It is also possible that one of the two sets of red is blue. The black is neutral and the green/yellow is earth. Of the other sets, one is permanent live and the other is switched live. It is the switched live that can sometimes be another colour. The permanent live should be at least two cables and the switched live a single cable.
If however you are fitting a landing light or other that is controlled by two switches then it will be a little different.

21-11-2005, 1:46 AM

Cos I'm lazy and can't be bothered to type much, this site is quite useful for these sort of things:

http://www.diyfixit.co.uk/

Also check if you have it connected to a dimmer. Some halogen and flourescent lights are either not suitable for use with a dimmer, or require a higher rated dimmer switch, else the dimmer switch unit will end up just burning out.

I'm guessing what you might have done is lumped the regular cabling together with the ring main cabling - hope you marked the wires first before disconnecting.

Hmm now that I read it again I saw hallway and guess this maybe on a two-way switch which can make cabling a little different, but the site quoted above should help you out.

21-11-2005, 8:15 AM

I don't think that halogen bulbs are the most efficient or environmentally friendly way of lighting. Don't they get a bit hot and not last too long? We have low energy bulbs pretty much everywhere. I know the first generation were huge but the latest ones are much smaller and better looking. I am not sure if they entertain being dimmed though, does anyone know? It would have to be a modern dimmer

Nick_UK · 21-11-2005, 9:52 AM

Halogen bulbs are designed to get hot. We've had 10 low-voltage halogen bulbs in our bathroom for over a year now, and no bulb failures yet.

21-11-2005, 12:17 PM

The failure rate of earlier halogen lights (and I'm thinking about the older floodlights you would use as an outdoor security light) was quite high, but nowadays these are as reliable as any other lamp.

The key here is 'low-voltage' halogen lights - these don't use anywhere near as much electricity as the external floodlight types which can make your old-style electricity meter look like it is playing a CD

richjthorpe · 21-11-2005, 1:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Diversity

I don't think that halogen bulbs are the most efficient or environmentally friendly way of lighting. Don't they get a bit hot and not last too long? We have low energy bulbs pretty much everywhere. I know the first generation were huge but the latest ones are much smaller and better looking. I am not sure if they entertain being dimmed though, does anyone know? It would have to be a modern dimmer

From what I remember, low energy bulbs are small versions of flurescent (sp) strip lighting and cannot be dimmed.

Richie.

craynerd · 22-11-2005, 6:29 AM

Just to clarify it has no dimmer attached!

Chumpy-what do you mean when you talk about ring main?
...basically, there was a blue, brown and green only out of the roof, and identical on the light fitting...one would presume you connect them directly...i did, but no avail!?

22-11-2005, 7:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craynerd

Just to clarify it has no dimmer attached!

Chumpy-what do you mean when you talk about ring main?
...basically, there was a blue, brown and green only out of the roof, and identical on the light fitting...one would presume you connect them directly...i did, but no avail!?

You really should not being doing this wiring!!!! Get someone in who knows what to do, or we will be reading your obituary next week

Cable Monkey · 22-11-2005, 7:55 AM

He is not wiring, he is connecting a new fitting or appliance. That should be well within the abilities of your average DIY'er. I would suggest a couple of things. Get a book with the various different scenarios in, and don't assume because something is new that it works.

22-11-2005, 10:20 AM

There is a description on ring main on the site I linked to above. Unfortunately I can't direct link to the exact page as the site doesn't allow it. Also look at the two-way switch setting.

As Cable Monkey says it may be that the unit is duff, so try connecting the old fitting up as a test.

craynerd · 22-11-2005, 4:45 PM

Looked on the website.... v good.. not really a particular help

It is a hall, however only has one switch

Tried the old unit again, and it works fine

I CONCLUDE: The unit is DUFF!!!!

Thanks for the help, and pleaseee

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by craynerd
Just to clarify it has no dimmer attached!

Chumpy-what do you mean when you talk about ring main?
...basically, there was a blue, brown and green only out of the roof, and identical on the light fitting...one would presume you connect them directly...i did, but no avail!?

You really should not being doing this wiring!!!! Get someone in who knows what to do, or we will be reading your obituary next week

give over...They will be asking for a degree to wipe your own arse soon!!!

craynerd · 22-11-2005, 4:47 PM

<-- that guy should definately be a symbol without the spam sign...he looks just how i feel about these bloody lights!

bbanduser · 22-11-2005, 9:06 PM

craynerd, please clear some messages from your inbox, so I can send you a pm.

Peridot · 23-11-2005, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick_UK

Halogen bulbs are designed to get hot. We've had 10 low-voltage halogen bulbs in our bathroom for over a year now, and no bulb failures yet.

I've just replaced almost all my kitchen ones for the second time in eighteen months and they're on a dimmer with soft start 'transformers'.

I've used long life lamps this time - claimed twice the life but also twice as expensive - we'll see how they do.

craynerd · 23-11-2005, 6:41 PM

bbanduser...massages cleared!

Ohhh, i found the problem :D

Bulb was buggered! lol

SORRY!!!!

General Skanky · 27-11-2005, 12:05 AM

Not overly impressed with Halogen.

Just replaced the whole kitchen halogen light rail with a fluoresent tube.

Much brighter, better, even spread of light, cheaper to run and more reliable.

No more replacing popped lamps.

21-11-2005, 1:46 AM	#3
Chumpy Guest Posts: n/a	Cos I'm lazy and can't be bothered to type much, this site is quite useful for these sort of things: http://www.diyfixit.co.uk/ Also check if you have it connected to a dimmer. Some halogen and flourescent lights are either not suitable for use with a dimmer, or require a higher rated dimmer switch, else the dimmer switch unit will end up just burning out. I'm guessing what you might have done is lumped the regular cabling together with the ring main cabling - hope you marked the wires first before disconnecting. Hmm now that I read it again I saw hallway and guess this maybe on a two-way switch which can make cabling a little different, but the site quoted above should help you out. Last edited by Chumpy; 21-11-2005 at 1:48 AM.
	Quote

21-11-2005, 8:15 AM	#4
Dr Diversity Guest Posts: n/a	I don't think that halogen bulbs are the most efficient or environmentally friendly way of lighting. Don't they get a bit hot and not last too long? We have low energy bulbs pretty much everywhere. I know the first generation were huge but the latest ones are much smaller and better looking. I am not sure if they entertain being dimmed though, does anyone know? It would have to be a modern dimmer
	Quote

21-11-2005, 12:17 PM	#6
Chumpy Guest Posts: n/a	The failure rate of earlier halogen lights (and I'm thinking about the older floodlights you would use as an outdoor security light) was quite high, but nowadays these are as reliable as any other lamp. The key here is 'low-voltage' halogen lights - these don't use anywhere near as much electricity as the external floodlight types which can make your old-style electricity meter look like it is playing a CD
	Quote

22-11-2005, 10:20 AM	#11
Chumpy Guest Posts: n/a	There is a description on ring main on the site I linked to above. Unfortunately I can't direct link to the exact page as the site doesn't allow it. Also look at the two-way switch setting. As Cable Monkey says it may be that the unit is duff, so try connecting the old fitting up as a test.
	Quote