Trips the lights - fantastic!

[Chillum]

Anyone any idea why my downstairs lights would suddenly start tripping the fuse for no apparent reason. I can flick the switch back on, but it'll trip again within the next minute, without anything being switched on or off. I will get a sparkie to check it, but just wondered if anyone here had any clues as to why it would have started happening?

[ianmunt]

Try removing all the lamps and reset the trip.If the trip is OK replace the lamps one by one,checking after each is added.That way you may be able to narrow it down to one fitting.If that works examine the fitting that causes the problem.Could be a dud bulb or maybe the pendant flex.

[wagtail03]

have you got a leak under the floor boards this happened to me and it was because my central heating boiler had leaked and the light got wet
wagtail03

[ACB312]

I had similar symptoms with my upstairs lighting circuit. I had added different lamps and fittings at various times over the years. Basically the junction box below my upper hall floor was overloaded and had overheated and eventually shorted the live, neutral and earth wires together. I was very lucky not to have a major fire (thanks to the sensitive circuit breaker). The previous advice is good and will hopefully guide you to the source of the problem. I can't offer much more advice as I don't know your competence at electrics, but opening up ceiling roses and switches with the power OFF could give you an indication of cooked cables (colour and smell). Lamps usually fail open circuit so if your breaker lasts for a short time before tripping I would suggest a wiring problem that takes that time to heat what remains of the insulation to melt and cause the extra current to flow to the wrong place and cause the trip. Hope this helps. Andy

[Chillum]

Thanks both, It trips even when all the bulbs are out. There is a slight discouloration of the bathroom bayonet fitting (slightly browned) so I'm guessing it's stemming from there. My competence is nil...so I'll get someone who knows what they're doing to have a look. Thanks again.