How many halogen bulbs have you kicked around the house? And how many times have you bought a new bulb only to find that replacing it with the old one didn't solve the problem?
Steps
Step 1. Read through all the steps, tips and warnings thoroughly before attempting the repair
Step 2. Identify the cause of the malfunction
The most common are:
- Burnt out light bulb.
- Lampholder oxidized, burnt, corroded or damaged in order to prevent correct electrical connection with the bulb contacts.
- The transformer has overheated and one of the windings has shorted or is open.
- The control device (switch or dimmer), if present, has failed.
- The plug, the power cord (the one that carries the current from the wall socket), or the connection between the control device and the transformer or the one that goes from the transformer to the socket is open or shorted. Check if the cable or its insulation appears discolored, scorched, broken, etc.
Step 3. Consider the value of the lamp or the cost of replacing it
The time and / or cost of repair may not be justified. Also note the following warnings before attempting the repair.
Step 4. Take all precautions to avoid any burns
Let the lamp cool down for a long time before intervening. When the light bulb is hot, it can cause severe burns. The working temperature of the bulb can exceed 500 ° C.
Step 5. Test the bulb (or bulbs) in a known good lamp to see if they are good
Never touch the glass of the bulb with bare hands. Use a washcloth or wear gloves when handling it to avoid direct skin contact. The fat left by the skin, in fact, would shorten its useful life. If you cannot test the bulb in another lamp, consider it to be in good condition.
Step 6. Unplug (or otherwise unplug) the lamp from the power source
Turning it off using the wall switch IS NOT ENOUGH to consider it disconnected.
Step 7. Remove the bulb (if you haven't already) from the socket
Examine the electrical contacts on the socket or socket. If they are burnt, discolored, oxidized, etc., gently scrape them until the metal parts are bared.
Step 8. Put the bulb back into the socket
Look at the contacts on the socket and socket where they touch. If they look disheveled, you can try tightening them (gently) with a pair of needle nose pliers (after removing the bulb). Check that the parts of the contacts that you previously cleaned of discoloration or other are aligned with the contact points of the bulb.
Step 9. Review the latest operations / cleanings performed
Insert a known good light bulb and turn on the switch to see if it works.
Step 10. Remove the lamp base or other parts to access the internal cables or switch
Remove the plug from the wall or, in any case, disconnect the lamp from its power source. Turning it off using the wall switch IS NOT ENOUGH to consider it disconnected. The way to reach the internal wiring varies from case to case. It may be necessary to remove a plate, screws, or some other protective barrier. Sometimes it can even be a piece of cardboard glued under the lamp base. When removing the protections, try to damage them as little as possible, as you will eventually have to put them back in place. Under the cover (or cardboard shape) of the base you will find things like this: transformer, power cord, and built-in switch (unless you are looking to repair a floor lamp where the switch or dimmer might be built into it. 'indoor).
Step 11. Look for burnt, broken, or loose strands
Fix, solder or connect disconnected wires with mammoths. Try again as described above.
Step 12. Use a multimeter or volt-ohmmeter to continue troubleshooting if the lamp still fails
At this point, if you haven't found the cause of the fault yet, you need to do more in-depth tests. If you are unfamiliar with the term 'multimeter' and if you do not know how to measure the voltage and check the continuity of the electrical connections, it is probably best that you go to a specialized laboratory for repair (if you want to repair this lamp).
Step 13. If you have a volt-ohmmeter and know how to use it, then (with the lamp powered on) measure the voltage at the output of the transformer (usually 12 V); if there is no voltage at the output, then it measures the input voltage (230 V in Italy)
If it turns out 230 V, then most likely the transformer is bad.
Step 14. You must also consider the breaker, and (WITH POWER DISCONNECTED) check for continuity
Step 15. If you don't have 220V at the transformer input, then the fault is in the power cord or plug:
therefore check the electrical continuity (without power supply of course).
Step 16. You can purchase a replacement transformer or socket at electrical stores, or search the web for:
there are many sites that deal with components of this type.
Advice
Think seriously about whether or not to replace halogen bulbs with LED bulbs instead of repairing them
Warnings
- ATTENTION! DISCONNECT THE PLUG FROM THE WALL SOCKET AND DO NOT PERFORM THE ACTIONS DESCRIBED WITH THE LAMP IN THE POWER SUPPLY PHASE, except in the case of tests that necessarily require it and in the case of measurements with a multimeter / volt-ohmmeter.
- Be extremely cautious when handling bulbs, as when they are hot they can cause serious burns in a split second.
- This type of repair, as is known, can cause fires in homes. The working temperature of the light bulb is very high and risks setting curtains and furniture on fire in no time at all.
