I have 4 lights in my ceiling. They always go on and off for a few minutes at a time. How can I fix this ?
They are in my basement, in a drop ceiling. They are all 100 watt bulbs. They all don’t go off at once. Each one goes off at a time, so all four are on sometimes, then just two are on and sometimes they all go out. Anyone have any idea what to do ?
Tagged with: drop ceiling • watt bulbs
Filed under: ceiling lights
Put the correct bulbs in the fixtures. They turn off because they are over the recommended watts for the fixture and are over heating. Check the fixture for the type of bulb needed and correct wattage (you can go with less watts but not more ex if it says 60 watts, you can use a 40 watt but not 100 watts)
Sounds like bad or loose wiring? My only guess.
First, replace them with those low wattage fluorescents so they don’t draw a lot of current.
Next, make sure the bulbs are snug and, also, check the sockets and wiring to make sure they have good connections and don’t have any loose wires or insulation.
If you are not comfortable doing this, get someone who is.
You might want to check with an electrician who can inspect the circuit for you if that doesn’t work.
You need new starters and or ballasts. I’m assuming you’re referring to fluerescent lights.
If not, turn the breakers off and don’t use the circuit again untill the shorts are found and repaired.
sounds to me like a wireing problem maybe not wired correctly.I would’nt feel comfortable with them going off and on for fear of fire. I would consult with an electrician as soon as possible!!!!!
This is just a wild guess based on experience. If they are recessed type can lights, they may be thermally protected. They need the spot light type lamps. A regular incandescent lamp allows heat to build up inside the fixture, and that causes it to turn off with the thermal switch, to keep the fixture from getting to hot. When the fixture cools off, the light comes back on.
Ignore this answer if this is not the case.
yeah, you might want an electrician check em out, id shut the breaker to em off in case of fire.
I assume that the light fixtures we are talking about are recessed lights, also called pot lights or can lights. They come in two different types, for insulated and non-insulated installation. There is a thermal switch in them that shuts off the power to the bulb if they get too hot. It is possible that the fixtures you are using are not rate to allow for 100 watt bulbs, otherwise they are not getting enough air circulating around them to allow them operate properly and the thermal switch is cycling them off to allow them to cool down.
1. My suggestion to you would be to first check that the actual bulbs are screwed into the socket tight. They can sometimes become loose, and that can cause a flickering effect.
2. You may also have a problem with your circuit breakers in your home if they get overloaded. 4 100 watt bulbs in a ceiling is producing a lot of amperage. If that be the case, trying turning off something else in that room to see if it makes a difference. You may also consider changing the bulbs to 60 or even 40 watts each, if you don’t require the total of 400 watts at one time.
3. Also try changing the actual lightbulbs themselves. Some of them may be on their way out.
4. You might also want to check that the unit these bulbs are screwed into is designed for that amount of amperage. That could cause a fire if it gets overloaded or over heated.
5. Sometimes during a hot spell, when it is suggested for residents to cut back on their electricity useage during certain peak hours, and if we don’t, electrical power is working then at half its’ potential.
Good luck! I hope I have helped!
they need a better ground, th copper wire ,has come loose,
this will casue a fire if you dont see to it .
or hire a pro to look at it
bad switch
they have thermal overloads. reduce the wattage.
If they are recessed lights they have heat sensors in them. This is a fire safety requirement. The lamps/fixture gets to a certain temperature and the sensor cuts out until the lamp cools. Try putting in lower wattage bulbs or the new style low wattage fluorescents. The curly lamps