Kitchen Ideas Faqs

My kitchen recessed halogen lights keep going on and off when they are meant to be on - why?

Its as if they are overheating, then cooling down. Can I fix it by changing the lights or is it something to do with the voltage? How much will it cost to fix?

Public Comments

1. Check with the store which sells halogen lights. They may have had complaints from those who had similiar problems.
2. Some can light designs have thermal over protection built in to them. This is a safety feature to prevent a fire. Check with the owners manual for your units and determine if they are operating within tolerance. I had a halogen floor lamp that did just what you describe, it had a thermal unit. I just replaced it. Halogens are terrible units for light and heat, and are very inefficient. CFL are a much better choice.
3. lower the bulb wattage.overloading the switch
4. Better make sure all the bulbs (if they have bulbs) are screwed in tight, and if there are no bulbs then be sure that the wiring is secure and there is no shortate in the outlets to which they are connected. When you get down to wires, that can be dangerous work. But try paying more attention to when they go off/on. Is it when you're operating another piece of electrical equipment, is it when you bump into something? Because observing that alone may help answer your question. If you are unsure, I'd recommend calling the company/person back who installed the lights or a local electrician, just so you won't hurt yourself or anything.
5. all recessed fixtures have thermal protection there should be a sticker on the inside of the can that says what wattage bulb you can use with what trim ring also another problem could be insulation on the fixture if it is in an attic ceiling
6. They have a thermal protector built in. Somehow the way you installed them is causing them to overheat.
7. when a electrical connection is made between tow wires and current flows threw if its loos it well get hot and spread apart from each other, inspect all the connections and tighten them. by the way if it would be the over heat protector not all of the lights would go down together. start by inspecting the screws at the switch.
8. Check the wattage of the bulbs and then the rating of the transformer. The bulbs will be in Watts and the transformer(s) in VA. For your purposes, the VA needs to be at least as big (if not bigger) than the total Watts (per transformer).
9. depends on wot they are 12volts, or 240volts.if 240 volt turn lights on flick the bulbs only be gentle.if they go out its a loose wire or fitting, so get expert help,if they are 12volt make sure the max power of transformer is higher than bulb.because if its the same or lower then the thermal cutout will trigger.hope this helps you
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11. I have had this problem. I found steam had got in, corroding the wires, and causing it to short out. By changing the bulb, and spraying WD40, this solved my problem. Hope this helps.
12. change them for a lower wattage.