Recessed halogen lights - all 4 blown at once

Geroezemoes

repost - had posted in error in heating & plumbing...

Hello,

I tried help my neighbour today with her lights in the kitchen.
they are 4 recessed spots, Halogen, 50watts/220.
She knew one was out for a while, but then after a painter had been working she came home and none worked. He said, he had touched them, just painted around them.

I tried a known working bulb in 3 of the four fittings - nothing.
I took down 2 of the 4 fittings, found the transformer, checked it was getting power - they were.
Bulbs are all intact.

Its not that I need help fitting new ones.

I need some help on understanding what could blow 4 transformers in one go.
These lights are on the same ring as another 2 sets of similar lights in the hall and under cupboards, also all halogen, all same transformers, are all still working.

Any thoughts - cautions. I am OK at doing these things, but no electrician. Don't fancy fitting 4 new transformers and they blow again.

The trip switches are a modern board, fitted in last 5 years, by a qualified electrician. Had it tripped while working, the painter could have flicked the switch back up. My neighbour didn't find the switch tripped anyway.

If during painting the light had been on, and something tripped the circuit, while all the other lights on the ring were off, could it have blown all four transformers? He was using a paint stripper heat gun.

Thanks!

dolittle

if there are transformers involved then the lamps can not be 220 volt 50 watt
try a 12 volt 50 watt instead, also if there is only 1 transformer for the 4 lights then they might have to be 20 watt lamps instead

Geroezemoes

Hi dolittle - tnx - you are right of course - main transformers of 12V - each light has its own transformer, 50Watt bulb.

What would blow 4 transformers like that? None of them work anymore...

Thanks!!

dixiefly

Sorry for stating the obvious but this is now a job for a professional electrician. You tried your best but it is beyond you. I regularly change bulbs and check wiring & connections / investigate problems at my parents house and a small business that they own. However, in a situation like this I would be getting the electrician in.

Geroezemoes

agree - its more to get some perspective on it - learn something. Have recommended to get an electrician in