Kitchen Spotlight Turns Clicks off Automatically?

Question

I have a spotlight in my kitchen with a halogen bulb int he socket. After about an hour or two, the light literally "clicks" off... and remains off for about 20-30 minutes, when it will suddenly click itself back on again. I believe there is something with the wiring, but is there a mechanism that does this automatically if the bulb gets too hot?

Answer 1

Most recessed lighting housings have a safety device or a "thermal overload" relay. One of 2 things is happening....you have exceeded the mfg. recommended maximum wattage on the bulb. Halogen bulbs put alot more heat out that regular bulbs. It could be tripping the thermal when the heat is too much for the fixture to handle safely.

If that is not the case, the thermal overload relay can wear out or become defective. Most can be replaced. Some are not easy. You have to know the mfg. and MODEL NUMBER of the HOUSING found inside the housing....sometimes where it tells you the max. wattage allowed.

If you cannot locate or do this repair, step down the bulb wattage and see if that helps.

Worst case, replace the whole thing with a light that can take the size of bulb that you need.

This is most likely not a wiring problem at all....especially if you are seeing this pattern...and not some random failure. The clicking sound is the relay.

Answer 2

there is a thermal cutout in the light fixture. There is probably insulation too close to the fixture in the attic (if it is a recessed light) - if not the halogen may be too hot for the fixture [need more info]. There shpould be a label - visible - that gives the maximum wattage. It is highly unlikely anything with the wiring itself would cause this.

Answer 3

Mine did that too at the last place I lived. It is normal, I am told. I thought the same thing you did. Try getting a lower watt bulb in it. It gets to hot and shuts itself off. That is what they told me, but I rented it and now I moved so I am not sure it was what the landlord told me. He does his own electrical things and said was fine. Just needed a lower wattage bulb.

Answer 4

it rather is a thermal overload gadget kicking out, maximum in all probability reason the lamp is merely too intense a wattage or as previous answer mentioned insulation is around the fixture. Fixture could be marked with ultimate lamp length, some are in the bucket with the lamp some are on the outdoors of the fixture.

Answer 5

I had the same problem. The spotlight container itself is overheating. I assume it is in the ceiling or wall. I plan to remove insallation from around the canister or replace it with one that can handle the heat.