The light fixtures we use in our homes are remarkably effective. The range of products smoothly provides us with years of service in return for very little attention. You may have to replace a faulty light bulb at times at the most. At times, although this happens seldom, a light fixture may suddenly develop a problem. This needs to be diagnosed and in most cases repairing is also possible. The repairing may be quite easy and simple; all you have to do is adjust the light bulb socket or replace a bulb. In cases of complex issues, you may have to replace the entire light fixture. In certain cases, you may also need to replace a wall switch.
However, the first step is correctly diagnosing an issue. How will you carry out the right diagnosis? This is a relevant question. It primarily depends on two factors – the symptoms that show up and the type of fixture you have.
As a crucial warning, you must remember to switch off power from the circuit breaker box itself to the circuit before you set your hands on the bare socket of a light bulb.
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Common problems in ceiling light fixtures
A qualified electrician in London who provides reliable lamp repair and rewiring near me has something relevant to say in the ongoing context. According to him common problems with ceiling light fixtures include some reason or the other that prevents the smooth flow of electricity from a wall switch to the light fixture. While diagnosing this type of issue you have to note whether the light is not glowing at all or it is flickering.
If the light bulb does not at all glow then you may try out the following procedures.
- The bulb may have burnt out. Check it properly and provide a replacement if needed.
- The bulb must be tightly placed in the socket for proper functioning. Sometimes what happens is the continuous on and off of electricity loosens the bulb in the socket. In these cases, just a little screwing in tightly fixes the problem.
- At the bottom center of the socket, there is a metal socket tab. At times it may get flattened which may lead to the problem mentioned above. All you have to do is bend it back a little so that it is back again in contact with the bulb.
- Connections at the switch must remain tight. Check this aspect before moving on to the next option. Professionals providing the service of LED light repair near me suggest it is important to make sure that the power connection to the circuit is turned off before you start working on it.
- The connections of the wire at the breaker panel or the light fixture may not be as tight as it should be. As a result, the light may not come. While checking this you should make sure the power to the circuit is turned off. These examinations must be carried out by a qualified electrician. You can perform these checks DIY only if you are substantially experienced at electrical works.
When a light bulb flickers then you can try out these troubleshooting options.
- A light bulb may flicker when its socket becomes bad although this happens rarely. In these cases, the socket needs to be replaced.
- When a bulb flickers on and off most of the time this says the switch contacts are becoming inefficient. Furthermore, you will hear a constant crackling or sizzling sound when the switch contacts wear out. The solution lies in the replacement of the switch.
- Flickering may also be because the wire connections are loosened. The loose connection may occur at several places including the breaker panel, on the switch itself, or a pass-through wire connection inside a pass-through wire connection inside the wall box or the ceiling box. A technically sound professional provides lamp repair service near me. In his opinion, most of these loose wire connections occur at the switch itself because of its constant on-and-off usage.
Common issues with recessed lights or can lights
Some of the problems commonly seen in recessed canister lights are the same in ordinary ceiling light fixtures. In addition to that a recessed light fixture may suddenly go on and off on its own. There is a reason behind this; recessed lights have limit switches. As such these lights are designed with limit switches. These switches are meant to turn off a fixture without any user intervention when heat reaches an unsafe level.
The limit switches are used for a variety of reasons which include the following –
Helps check whether light bulbs included in a light fixture are of proper wattage for the light fixture in question. If the wattage is excessively high the fixture may be subjected to overheating. It is better to compare the wattage on a light bulb with the rating printed on the fixture. If required you can install a light bulb that has lower wattage.
Tightly packed insulation around a light fixture may also be a matter of concern. When the insulation is packed too tightly it can trap heat around the canister of the light fixture. As a result the limit switch easily gets overheated and shuts down the light fixture on its own. According to experts who provide the service of lighting repairs near me you have to make sure there is sufficient circulation of air around the canister. This prevents the fixture from getting overheated.
The limit switch may also turn out to be faulty. If the light bulb is of the right wattage and there is sufficient ventilation around the light fixture and still the issue crops up, then you have to consider replacing any of the two options – the entire light fixture or the limit switch.
Problems with pull chains or integral switches
There are lots of ceiling fixtures that are controlled by switches or pull chains. Most of the ceiling fixtures that are used in utility spaces are of this type. The pull chains or switches are found on the socket or fixture. Here are a few tips to diagnose these.
Check whether the light bulb is loosened at the socket. Experts working in a renowned lighting repair shop near me suggest other than becoming loose it may also get burned out. You have to either tighten the light bulb or replace it depending on the situation.
At the center of the socket is the socket tab. Check whether it is flattened. In that case, you have to pull it up enough so that it makes contact with the bulb for the latter to glow properly. But always make sure to shut off power in the circuit before you touch a bare metal light socket to avoid a shock.
Qualified and skilled electricians working at Electric Works London have something to add to the present context. They suggest checking whether the wire connections on the switch are tight. But before checking this make sure the power to the circuit is off. Get rid of the switch and test between the wires using an ohm meter or a continuity tester.
