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table lamps burning out switches

  • 22-11-2022 11:05am
    #1
    RobAMerc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,863 ✭✭✭


    hi,

    I have a couple of table lamps that stopped working. Turned out to be the switches had burnt out. ( not signs of burning or anything just stopped working )

    I replaced them with 6amp switches and they seem to have gone again.

    I am able to change a switch, but I dont understand the ins and outs of electrics, why do these lamps burn the swithces out ? Crappy light bulbs ?


    Thanks

    Rob



Comments

  • #2
    10-10-20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,062 ✭✭✭10-10-20


    What bulbs are on them? LED or incandescent? If they are LED, what brand and model?

    When you say "burnt out", do the switches look damaged by heat? Are they in-line cable-mounted lamp type switches or wall-switches?



  • #3
    mikewest
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 787 ✭✭✭mikewest


    Crappy switches probably. If you are still using incandescent bulbs, the inrush current may be causing an issue with rubbish quality switch contacts. Or the contacts are so soft the amount you use them is wearing them out.

    Buy different switches.



  • #4
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,860 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    you mean an inline switch on the flex for the lamp, a switch on the socket on the wall, or the switch in the body of the socket for the bulb on the lamp itself?



  • #5
    NickNickleby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,846 ✭✭✭NickNickleby


    Had a similar experience years ago (before LEDs). Cooker hood fed from fused spur switch. One day one of the bulbs in the hood blew and tripped the MCB outside. So replaced the bulb and reset the MCB. No fan, no light. Replaced blown fuse in spur switch, still no joy. Removed and disassembled spur switch to find contacts burnt out. Replaced switch. Months later, same thing happens. That's when I figured the cheap Polish light bulbs must have caused it. Threw out what remained and replaced all fitted ones with proper branded bulbs. Never a problem since.

    So, yes, bulbs can cause it. (Although I never heard of anyone else having this particular issue).

    Should just add, that when the bulbs blew, it sounded like an explosion - slight exaggeration, but you get my drift, I'm sure.



  • #6
    RobAMerc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,863 ✭✭✭RobAMerc


    thanks folks, it an inline switch on the lamp flex



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  • #7
    10-10-20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,062 ✭✭✭10-10-20


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119906464#Comment_119906464

    Two common factors:

    Poor quality switch contact surfaces - cheaper switches don't have protective coatings such as silver or silver tin oxide on the switch contacts which allow pitting of the contact during arcing.

    Electrical load - arcs and hot-spots on the switch surfaces caused by high inrush current; transformers, incandescent light low startup resistance), a capacitive load, or unprotected motors.

    Prevention: Higher quality switches or change out the lamps for different manufacturer's bulbs and hope that they have better cold-start characteristics.



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