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15/05/2008, 20:48 Albert the InfoGipsy Joined on 01/07/2006 SDF, somewhere in 56 Posts 546 Re: Electrical question!! Does it have a built-in sensor to switch it off during daylight? Is the socket you used for testing indoors? Try installing it and testing after dark. Also, if it's got a PIR sensor it may need adjusting. Albert the InfoGipsy "So welcome to the Citadel where the question is 'Am I?'"    Report

16/05/2008, 6:43 martin-pecheur Joined on 15/05/2008 Posts 11 Re: Electrical question!! No solar cell and no PIR. Just a straight forward fitting.    Report

16/05/2008, 7:38 Ab Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 573 Re: Electrical question!! Maybe a social security electric lamp--it doesn't work--it won't work.!! does a lower wattage lamp work at this outlet ?    Report

16/05/2008, 17:04 martin-pecheur Joined on 15/05/2008 Posts 11 Re: Electrical question!! I havent tried one but I cannot see a reason why it would make a difference.    Report

16/05/2008, 18:33 Alane Joined on 23/08/2004 27 Posts 322 Re: Electrical question!! A long shot, but it might be that corrosion or a bad connection in the feed is causing a big enough voltage drop with the large lamp sufficient to prevent it illuminating, whereas the previous smaller lamp drew a much lower current with consequent lower voltage drop. If you have a meter try checking the voltage at the connection. Best Regards Alan    Report

16/05/2008, 22:14 J.R's gone native Joined on 16/07/2006 Picardie, Sussex Posts 1,755 Re: Electrical question!!  Alane wrote: A long shot, but it might be that corrosion or a bad connection in the feed is causing a big enough voltage drop with the large lamp sufficient to prevent it illuminating, whereas the previous smaller lamp drew a much lower current with consequent lower voltage drop. If you have a meter try checking the voltage at the connection. That will only yeild any useful information if after having measured (and found) mains potential it is measured again under the load of the 500 watt fitting, this would show up any resistive volage drop as mentioned above.    Report

16/05/2008, 22:39 Alane Joined on 23/08/2004 27 Posts 322 Re: Electrical question!! JR is correct in his post. In order to determine the voltage drop I mentioned you will need to measure the voltage before and after connecting the lamp. As this is an outside lamp I would check all potentially exposed junction boxes and connection points. Water leaks into electric connections and the associated corrosion can cause all sorts of strange effects.  You mention that the outside connection has no earth connection. If all else fails it might be worth checking , after isolating the supply, that the two connections you have really are phase and neutral. It might just be that you have phase and earth and the neutral wire has been "lost" in the gaine. Good luck.   Best Regards Alan    Report

16/05/2008, 23:14 Phil & Pat Joined on 24/12/2006 Falaise, Calvados (14) Posts 141 Re: Electrical question!! But connecting a lamp phase-to-earth would cause the differential trip to operate, wouldn't it?    Report

16/05/2008, 23:31 Alane Joined on 23/08/2004 27 Posts 322 Re: Electrical question!! It would if the OP's installation is recent but we don't know that. He might have a cartridge fuse installation. It's always difficult trying to help in these situations and striking the balance between asking pages of questions and trying to make helpful suggestions. Best Regards Alan    Report

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