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Thread: Bulb blown, switch fused?

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    Senior Member watercooled's Avatar
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    Bulb blown, switch fused?

    I've just switched on the light in the kitchen and one of the halogen spotlights blew and took the breaker with it. I got my torch and flipped the breaker back on, no big deal but I went to switch the light back off and the switch is stuck on - I'm guessing this is because the bulb drew a lot of current for a split second which heated the switch and fused it together, am I right? Also is this safe for a day or two until an electrician can get round or is it best to keep the downstairs light breaker off?
    Thanks

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    Re: Bulb blown, switch fused?

    You're almost certain to be correct.

    As for the safety: Impossible to say without opening the switch and looking. Sadly fusing is a nasty beast and is possible parts you're not aware of may have been damaged.

    General speaking, fused switch = total replacement and no use until done so. I'd recommend that route
    Last edited by Agent; 06-09-2009 at 01:45 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
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    Re: Bulb blown, switch fused?

    Thanks - could anything other that the switch be damaged ie wiring/light fitting?

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    Re: Bulb blown, switch fused?

    Electrician came and replaced the switch today - all sorted.

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    Re: Bulb blown, switch fused?

    Quote Originally Posted by watercooled View Post
    Thanks - could anything other that the switch be damaged ie wiring/light fitting?
    Just to answer your question though: Fusing generally happens at the weakest point in a circuit. Provided you're using RCD based tripping it's unlikely anything else would have been damaged (RCDs are very good at their job), but not impossible.
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
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    Senior Member watercooled's Avatar
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    Re: Bulb blown, switch fused?

    It was the lighting MCB that tripped - the RCD was still closed but yeah like you say they do trip very fast. Maybe it was a low-rated switch or something that was running near full capacity and the bulb tipped it over the edge, so to speak.

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