[inthedarknz]

Why do my light bulbs keep blowing out as soon as I switch them on? This only happens in the open plan living/dining/kitchen area. There are two switches for the area. One switch is for the kitchen dining area. The other switch is for the living/lounge area. The problem started last week with the living/lounge area switch. As soon as it was switched on, the lights would cut out and cut out the lights in the whole area. Power was still fine as the TV etc was still on. My solution for that was not to use that switch and use the other switch for the kitchen/dining area lights and use a lamp for the living area until I could figure out what was wrong with the lighting. But now the other switch is doing the same thing as the living area and now no lighting is going whatsoever in both areas. Help please, I'm in the dark. :-(

[creahands]

Replace the switches. Does this solve problem?

Chuck

[parttime]

Double check your bulbs to be sure your using proper voltage and wattage, if the fixture is recessed maybe go with lower wattage or with cooler bulbs. Good luck

[inthedarknz]

Thanks for the feedback. I switched my bulbs to a lower wattage which has worked on every 2nd light (there are a total of 9 downlights in the areas). Will more than likely get an electrician in to see why half the lights don't seem to work.

[parttime]

Hi inthedark, an electrician is a good idea, with every other light working sounds like you have a loose wire. If you could, please let us know what the electrician finds. Thanks an good luck

[donf]

If a multiwire branch-circuit was used to supply the light circuits, then you have more than likely had a failure with the Neutral conductor.

In a 120 Vac multiwire branch-circuit two ungrounded (Hot) conductors share the same Neutral return conductor. If the Neutral fails, then the devices on both circuits see 240 Vac and fry!