Can LED lights cause RCD to trip?
LED power supplies have something called an inrush current. This happens when the supply is initially turned on, and for a very short period of time there is a spike of power (much higher than the specified output of the power supply), which means this can trip some breakers.
Are GU10 LED bulbs being phased out?
GU10 halogens and other reflectors like R63, R80 and GLS style light bulbs can still be continued to be sold after this date but manufacturing will cease. This follows on from the 2011 ban of incandescent lamps, it’s difficult to believe that’s its been so many years ago.
How long should a GU10 bulb last?
about 50,000 hours
The average life-expectancy for a GU10 LED Bulb is about 50,000 hours, whereas the average life-expectancy of a halogen GU10 is around 1,000 hours. Thus, working for 8 hours a day, a GU10 LED will continue to work for 17.12 years, but a halogen GU10 will need to be replaced three times every year.
Do GU10 LED bulbs need a driver?
Do I need a driver? No you don’t. GU10s have an in-built driver, so you can just switch your old halogen bulbs with new LEDs and start saving straight away.
Why is my new light fitting tripping?
When a light switch trips the breaker, a faulty light switch or light fixture is usually the cause. A wire may have come loose at the switch or fixture and is shorting out the hot wire. Always check the switch and fixture first. Also check any GFCI receptacles that are on the circuit for a malfunction or fault.
What can cause nuisance tripping?
Nuisance tripping occurs when an RCD trips when the residual current flowing in the circuit is less than its rated residual operating current. This may be caused a current surge or voltage surge or possibly noise on the installation.
How do you test a GU10 LED bulb?
To test your LED, touch the tip of the black probe to the cathode, or shorter end of the LED. Touch the tip of the red probe to the anode, which should be the longer end. Be sure that the two probes do not touch each other during this test, and that the cathode and anode do not touch each other.
Can I swap GU10 halogen for GU10 LED?
Most non-dimmable GU10 Halogen bulbs can be easily replaced with an equivalent GU10 LED as electrical current conversion happens at the bulb.
Is GU10 always 240v?
The main difference is that the GU10 bulb will run at 240 volts (which is the same voltage as supplied by the mains power supply), while MR16 bulbs run on just 12 volts.
What voltage is GU10?
The GU5. 3 base commonly operates using 12 volts while the GU10 operates off 120 volts. Voltages vary greatly across all bulbs types so always check the specifications and ensure your fixture is compatible with both the fitting and voltage.
What does GU10 stand for?
GU10 refers to the type of fitting. Two short, squar-ish pins protrude from the base of the bulb. It’s a push-and-twist type of fitting.
Is GU10 halogen or LED?
The options when looking at GU10 energy saving bulbs are eco-Halogen bulbs, GU10 CFL bulbs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) and GU10 LED bulbs.
Do GU10 halogen bulbs need a transformer?
All LED bulbs require a ‘driver’ (a special type of transformer) to work properly. Mains voltage LED light bulbs (such as GU10 and B22 bulbs) have the driver built in to the bulb. MR16 and other 12V bulbs use an external driver.
Do GU10 downlights need a transformer?
Replacing GU10 Halogens
This is easy and now straightforward to because LED GU10 lamps can be swapped straight over without any wiring or transformers to consider.
Do all downlights need transformers?
Bulbs intended for use in wet zones (such as downlights in a bathroom) must be IP rated for such use. This means that each sealed bulb will contain a driver, with no external transformer required.
Do halogen bulbs need transformers?
MR16 halogen downlights require a transformer for each globe. Most transformers/drivers installed with halogen downlights are rated as either 50 or 60 watts (or VA). This means that they are rated to supply lamps that draw up to 50 or 60 watts more than the energy they consume to energise themselves.
What will replace halogen bulbs?
Can you replace halogen bulbs with LEDs? Yes, most LED bulbs are available with Edison or bayonet fittings, which means they can be used to replace your traditional halogen bulbs in most cases.
Do all halogen lights have a transformer?
Many halogen bulbs are designed to be low voltage, which means they have a transformer feeding them the current. Unless you buy dedicated MR16 LED bulbs, they won’t need a transformer, and it can prevent your new LED bulbs from working properly. Some halogen transformers still need replacing for MR16 LEDs.
