Halogen pendant lights with heat damage

10 years ago

Our pendant halogen lights, which hang from a cable are being scorched by high temperature. The prong sockets for the bulbs are also affected - the bulbs don't burn out, they just won't make a secure electrical connection and go out instead.

I'm a (formerly) licensed electrician, but am baffled how to repair this, mostly because I don't know how to find a new socket assembly that would support the weight of the lamp. I'd like to replace the halogen bulbs with LED if possible for lower heat production.

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Comments (3)

PRO
Ellsworth Design Build
10 years ago
If you switch out to LEDs now wouldn't the problem be solved, or are the sockets already too damaged?
4lamp thanked Ellsworth Design Build
User
10 years ago
Why are they being scorched? Are they the correct wattage, type of bulb?
4lamp thanked User
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4lamp
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
First, thank you both for your rapid responses.

To answer the ElIsworth's question I'm sure LED bulbs would solve the heat problem but I'm not sure I will be able to restore the sockets. I just haven't been able to locate an LED bulb replacement that meets my needs (see my response to SandyC and attached photos below.

Sandy C, I don't know why thy are being scorched. This happened with the original bulbs within about 8 months of installation.

I believe I have the identical replacement bulb, but the original only gives me the voltage and watts, 12V and 35W. The base and bulb appearance appears to be the same as the original and the lumens/color temp subjectively appear to my eye to be the same as the original as well. The replacement bulb is labeled "JC Type G635 Base," 630 lumens and color temp of 2950K.

If I fiddle with either old or new bulbs they will light up, but only for a few days at most.

The terminal end of the support wire is the part that is scorched. The socket does not give a good connection, new bulb or old. I've attached additional photos with greater detail.

In my experience high end light fixtures spend 95% on appearance and 5% on engineering. Very frustrating.