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Strange delay in low voltage installation

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Old 30-01-2007, 10:14 AM   #1
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Strange delay in low voltage installation

Morning,

Can someone help me please? I have installed low voltage under cupboard lighting in my kitchen but have a very strange problem.

The wiring is switched via a wall mounted switch (installed by the house builder) which previously switched a single low voltage cupboard light. I ran a spur from the (previously installed) junction box (mounted on top of the cupboards) so I have 240 V in and two 240V outs which run into their respective transformers.

The problem is that there is approximately a 1 second delay between me switching the switch and the new lights turning on. The old light (in the cupboard) installed by the house builder turns on immediately (and always has done).

Why is there a small delay between switching and light activation? This problem is not apparent if I briefly turn them off and back on!

I am confused (and a bit concerned there maybe a wiring error). Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
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Old 30-01-2007, 3:01 PM   #2
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Re: Strange delay in low voltage installation

its not just a slow start transformer to preserve bulb life is it?
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Old 30-01-2007, 3:19 PM   #3
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Re: Strange delay in low voltage installation

Your problem is almost certainly due to the use of a 'soft start' transformer. These are very kind on the lamps but can lead to very annoying delays in the lights coming on.
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Old 30-01-2007, 4:18 PM   #4
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Re: Strange delay in low voltage installation

Bill / Owain,

Thank you both for your replies - i hoped it might be something as simple as this but being a total novice with electronics I wanted to be safe. My only concern is that I dont remember this soft start feature when i plugged the bulbs in direct to the socket (before i removed the plug and wired into the junction box). I guess the only solution is to refit the plug and examine under those conditions.

Thanks again for the responses - as long as this delay is unlikely to be the symptom of a more serious (dangerous) problem then i am a lot happier.

Thanks.
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Old 30-01-2007, 7:47 PM   #5
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Re: Strange delay in low voltage installation

Not takin any thing away from the other posters but it could be that your new lights are flourescent.Ive installed these a few times and they also take a few mins to heat up and light up to a full glow
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en6jwrs2 (02-02-2007)
Old 02-02-2007, 10:46 AM   #6
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Re: Strange delay in low voltage installation

Thanks for your advice johnnyjb - i have checked and they are not. I am hoping it is a slow start issue.
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Old 02-02-2007, 6:30 PM   #7
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Re: Strange delay in low voltage installation

Quote:
Originally Posted by en6jwrs2 View Post
Morning,

Can someone help me please? I have installed low voltage under cupboard lighting in my kitchen but have a very strange problem.

The wiring is switched via a wall mounted switch (installed by the house builder) which previously switched a single low voltage cupboard light. I ran a spur from the (previously installed) junction box (mounted on top of the cupboards) so I have 240 V in and two 240V outs which run into their respective transformers.

The problem is that there is approximately a 1 second delay between me switching the switch and the new lights turning on. The old light (in the cupboard) installed by the house builder turns on immediately (and always has done).

Why is there a small delay between switching and light activation? This problem is not apparent if I briefly turn them off and back on!

I am confused (and a bit concerned there maybe a wiring error). Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
you should not be doing any electrics in your kitchen its againsts part P rules.
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