Replace the burnt out lamp. How to change a light bulb in a suspended ceiling? How to remove and how to change an LED lamp and how to insert a new one later

Halogen bulbs, unlike incandescent bulbs, shine brighter and consume less electricity. But at the same time, they also burn out quite often, and replacing them yourself involves some nuances that you will learn by reading this article in full.

Replacing a halogen lamp with a two-pin base (G4, GU5.3)

These are the most common types of lamps, which are most often used in spotlights, as well as in furniture-mounted lamps. They are available both with an open bulb and with a reflector, where the bulb bulb is protected by glass.

Replacement procedure

1. .
2. Remove the lampshade or protective glass and remove the burnt out light bulb. Depending on the design of the luminaire and the type of lamp, various options are possible.

Open Bulb Light Bulbs usually hidden under various lampshades (a common option is built-in backlights in furniture cabinets).


To replace such a light bulb, remove the protective shade by prying it around the perimeter with a thin screwdriver or knife, and then simply pull the bulb bulb, pulling it out of the socket.



Light bulbs with reflector and protective glass Most often used in lamps built into suspended / suspended ceilings. In order to remove the lamp from the lamp, in most cases it is enough to remove the spacer spring or ring that secures the lamp in the lamp body.


After you have taken out the light bulb, you need to separate it from the socket. To remove a light bulb with a GU5.3 socket from the socket, hold the light bulb in one hand and gently pull the socket with the fingers of the other hand, thus pulling it off the contact pins of the light bulb socket.


Although the sockets of such light bulbs are quite protected, in order to avoid electric shock, handle the socket with your hands carefully. For additional protection, you can use (whole) rubber housekeeping gloves.


In rarer cases (usually in rotating lamps), you will not find a spring; here you will need to remove the decorative lampshade, or remove the entire lamp.

To remove the decorative shade, try slightly turning the decorative ring that holds it in a counterclockwise direction. If you are unable to remove the lampshade, you will have to completely pull out the lamp.

To remove the lamp, carefully slide a flat tool (screwdriver, ruler, spatula) between the edge of the decorative ring of the lamp and the ceiling, then slightly pull the lamp out of the hole in the ceiling until the spacer springs appear.

Press both springs against the light with your fingers and continue to pull the light out little by little. By pressing the springs, you will not allow them to suddenly open when the lamp is finally removed, and thus protect both the hole in the ceiling and your hands from damage.


After you have removed the lamp, remove the bulb from it and disconnect it from the socket. If the light bulb is equipped with a GU10 socket, remove the light bulb by turning it approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise.

If the light bulb slips in your hands and does not want to rotate, then try turning it by wearing rubber gloves or using a suction cup.

3. Buy a new light bulb to replace it. Preliminarily determine the characteristics of the burnt out light bulb. Be especially careful with this point, because halogen light bulbs are designed for both 220 volts and low voltage (12 volts).

An indication of the type and power of the light bulb can be found on the lamp, or read on the light bulb itself.


If you are not sure what you can use to replace the light bulb, then you need to take the burnt out light bulb to the store and ask them to find one with similar characteristics.

4. Install the new working light bulb in place.

When installing a new halogen light bulb in its rightful place, you must take into account that it is strictly not recommended to touch its bulb with your hands. The fact is that during operation, the bulb of a halogen lamp gets very hot (it is even made of heat-resistant quartz glass). And if there are greasy fingerprints on it, then in this place the glass will heat up even more.

A burnt grease stain forms carbon deposits on the flask, which makes it even hotter. The glass in this can melt and even swell. All this leads to destruction or premature burnout of the halogen lamp.

Therefore, hold the lamp without touching it with your fingers. Use the packaging in which the lamp was sold or hold the lamp through a dry, clean cloth (polyethylene). If you did take the lamp with your fingers, then it must be degreased with a lint-free cloth moistened with alcohol.

This does not apply to lamps whose bulbs are “hidden” inside the reflector and covered with protective glass. You can safely take such lamps with your hands.

5. After installing the light bulb, try turning it on and then, if everything works, reinstall the light bulb in the reverse order.

Replacing a halogen light bulb with an r7s base

This is also a fairly common type of lamp, most often used in floor lamps, as well as floodlights for outdoor lighting. Lamps with r7s base are available in various lengths and wattages.

Replacement procedure

1. Turn off the power to the lamp, then remove the protective glass or shade to gain access to the lamp. Be sure to let the lamp cool down.

2. Grab the bulb with your hand and lightly press the lamp with one end of the base into the socket, while pulling the other (released) end of the base towards you. Thus, one end of the base, and behind it the entire lamp, should come out of the socket.

3. Buy a lamp of the required size, power and voltage from the store. Remember that a halogen lamp should not be touched with your hands, so install the new light bulb in place using a clean cloth, glove or piece of non-slip polyethylene.

Typically, this type of light bulb is sold packaged in polyethylene, which can be used to hold the lamp during installation. Just remember to remove it after installation.

4. Insert one (either) end of the light bulb into the socket and, pressing lightly on it, insert the other end of the light bulb into the opposite part of the socket so that the light bulb is securely fixed between the clamps of the socket.

If you see that the light bulb is not installed tightly and is dangling between the clamping contacts of the socket, then you need to remove the light bulb and bend the clamps or socket mount so that the light bulb “fits tightly” in the socket. If the clamping contacts of the cartridge are severely burnt and cannot be adjusted, it will be necessary to replace the cartridge.

5. Turn on the lamp. If everything works fine, install the protective glass or lampshade in its rightful place.

If you wish, you can find out how to replace lamps by reading about it in the corresponding article.

For greater clarity, you can watch this short video on how to replace burnt out halogen light bulbs. The video will open in a separate window.

Press the ↓↓↓ button and share with your friends if you find this article useful!

Halogen bulbs, unlike incandescent bulbs, shine brighter and consume less electricity. But at the same time, they also burn out quite often, and replacing them yourself involves some nuances that you will learn by reading this article in full.

Replacing a halogen lamp with a two-pin base (G4, GU5.3)

These are the most common types of lamps, which are most often used in spotlights, as well as in furniture-mounted lamps. They are available both with an open bulb and with a reflector, where the bulb bulb is protected by glass.

Replacement procedure

1. Turn off the power supply.
2. Remove the lampshade or protective glass and remove the burnt out light bulb. Depending on the design of the luminaire and the type of lamp, various options are possible.

Open Bulb Light Bulbs usually hidden under various lampshades (a common option is built-in backlights in furniture cabinets).


To replace such a light bulb, remove the protective shade by prying it around the perimeter with a thin screwdriver or knife, and then simply pull the bulb bulb, pulling it out of the socket.



Light bulbs with reflector and protective glass Most often used in lamps built into suspended / suspended ceilings. In order to remove the lamp from the lamp, in most cases it is enough to remove the spacer spring or ring that secures the lamp in the lamp body.


After you have taken out the light bulb, you need to separate it from the socket. To remove a light bulb with a GU5.3 socket from the socket, hold the light bulb in one hand and gently pull the socket with the fingers of the other hand, thus pulling it off the contact pins of the light bulb socket.


Although the sockets of such light bulbs are quite protected, in order to avoid electric shock, handle the socket with your hands carefully. For additional protection, you can use (whole) rubber housekeeping gloves.


In rarer cases (usually in rotating lamps), you will not find a spring; here you will need to remove the decorative lampshade, or remove the entire lamp.

To remove the decorative shade, try slightly turning the decorative ring that holds it in a counterclockwise direction. If you are unable to remove the lampshade, you will have to completely pull out the lamp.

To remove the lamp, carefully slide a flat tool (screwdriver, ruler, spatula) between the edge of the decorative ring of the lamp and the ceiling, then slightly pull the lamp out of the hole in the ceiling until the spacer springs appear.

Press both springs against the light with your fingers and continue to pull the light out little by little. By pressing the springs, you will not allow them to suddenly open when the lamp is finally removed, and thus protect both the hole in the ceiling and your hands from damage.


After you have removed the lamp, remove the bulb from it and disconnect it from the socket. If the light bulb is equipped with a GU10 socket, remove the light bulb by turning it approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise.

If the light bulb slips in your hands and does not want to rotate, then try turning it by wearing rubber gloves or using a suction cup.

3. Buy a new light bulb to replace it. Preliminarily determine the characteristics of the burnt out light bulb. Be especially careful with this point, because halogen light bulbs are designed for both 220 volts and low voltage (12 volts).

An indication of the type and power of the light bulb can be found on the lamp, or read on the light bulb itself.


If you are not sure what you can use to replace the light bulb, then you need to take the burnt out light bulb to the store and ask them to find one with similar characteristics.

4. Install the new working light bulb in place.

When installing a new halogen light bulb in its rightful place, you must take into account that it is strictly not recommended to touch its bulb with your hands. The fact is that during operation, the bulb of a halogen lamp gets very hot (it is even made of heat-resistant quartz glass). And if there are greasy fingerprints on it, then in this place the glass will heat up even more.

A burnt grease stain forms carbon deposits on the flask, which makes it even hotter. The glass in this can melt and even swell. All this leads to destruction or premature burnout of the halogen lamp.

Therefore, hold the lamp without touching it with your fingers. Use the packaging in which the lamp was sold or hold the lamp through a dry, clean cloth (polyethylene). If you did take the lamp with your fingers, then it must be degreased with a lint-free cloth moistened with alcohol.

This does not apply to lamps whose bulbs are “hidden” inside the reflector and covered with protective glass. You can safely take such lamps with your hands.

5. After installing the light bulb, try turning it on and then, if everything works, reinstall the light bulb in the reverse order.

Replacing a halogen light bulb with an r7s base

This is also a fairly common type of lamp, most often used in floor lamps, as well as floodlights for outdoor lighting. Lamps with r7s base are available in various lengths and wattages.

Replacement procedure

1. Turn off the power to the lamp, then remove the protective glass or shade to gain access to the lamp. Be sure to let the lamp cool down.

2. Grab the bulb with your hand and lightly press the lamp with one end of the base into the socket, while pulling the other (released) end of the base towards you. Thus, one end of the base, and behind it the entire lamp, should come out of the socket.

3. Buy a lamp of the required size, power and voltage from the store. Remember that a halogen lamp should not be touched with your hands, so install the new light bulb in place using a clean cloth, glove or piece of non-slip polyethylene.

Typically, this type of light bulb is sold packaged in polyethylene, which can be used to hold the lamp during installation. Just remember to remove it after installation.

4. Insert one (either) end of the light bulb into the socket and, pressing lightly on it, insert the other end of the light bulb into the opposite part of the socket so that the light bulb is securely fixed between the clamps of the socket.

If you see that the light bulb is not installed tightly and is dangling between the clamping contacts of the socket, then you need to remove the light bulb and bend the clamps or socket mount so that the light bulb “fits tightly” in the socket. If the clamping contacts of the cartridge are severely burnt and cannot be adjusted, it will be necessary to replace the cartridge.

5. Turn on the lamp. If everything works fine, install the protective glass or lampshade in its rightful place.

If you wish, you can find out how to replace fluorescent lamps by reading about it in the corresponding article.

For greater clarity, you can watch this short video on how to replace burnt out halogen light bulbs. The video will open in a separate window.

Press the ↓↓↓ button and share with your friends if you find this article useful!

It would seem that the answer to the question of how to change a light bulb has been known to almost all people since childhood. But for some reason, accidents regularly occur while performing such actions.

This indicates that the preparation of citizens is far from ideal, and in a number of situations they do not have any special skills or concepts about the necessary security measures. Which leads to disastrous consequences.

To prevent replacing a light bulb from causing an electric shock, mercury vapor poisoning, or some other unpleasant situation, let's take a look at the specifics of performing this non-trivial task. In this article we will pay special attention to the process of proper replacement, as well as the issue of personal safety and proper disposal of dismantled light bulbs.

Proper replacement of a light bulb begins long before its dismantling/installation, since the contractor or owner of the premises must carry out a number of preparatory work in advance. These include the preparation of protective ammunition, tools and equipment.

Ignoring any of the listed points is to your detriment, since efficiency, safety and quality of lighting largely depend on them. They should definitely be taken into account before you plan to replace any light bulb.

Step #1 - preparation for work

When preparing to replace any lamps, be aware of the electrical hazards. Therefore, all work must be performed using special tools, testing instruments and equipment.

That is, pliers, screwdrivers and everything else must have insulation that can protect against damage. Moreover, with its help you can protect yourself from electricity when its voltage is less than 24 Volts, but in other cases it does not guarantee anything.

The most important thing when replacing a used lamp is the correct choice of a new one and compliance with safety measures. Which imply the use of special protective equipment and control devices, as they will prevent electric shock and other types of injuries

Work should be performed exclusively in protective equipment, which includes rubber gloves and special glasses, which will help protect you when dismantling a hot incandescent lamp, as well as in the event of accidental damage to an LED light bulb.

The contractor must have measuring instruments with him that will help verify the functionality of the circuit and lamp and thereby ensure a sufficient level of safety. These include indicator screwdrivers and other similar equipment.

The most important aspect of any replacement is safety, which can only be ensured by meeting certain requirements. Some of which are ignored by most performers. And it turns out as shown in the photo

In addition, a person who decides to replace the lamp himself must figure out in advance how to turn off the power in the room and do it correctly. If the issue is not given due time, then the necessary security will not be ensured, and this is fraught with disastrous consequences.

Step #2 - complete blackout

You need to understand that you have to carry out any actions in electrical networks at your own peril and risk - why not call an electrician to replace the lamp? But if there are any consequences, you will have to bear responsibility for them and it may even be criminal. It should be remembered that any such procedure must be carried out in compliance with safety measures.

Guiding documents indicate that only people who have received proper training, have practical skills and have undergone instruction may be allowed to perform such work. True, in everyday life, every consumer who uses electricity for a lighting system faces such a problem.

First of all, the network must be de-energized. Moreover, setting the switch to the off position will not be an sufficient measure. Since it does not guarantee safety at all.

For example, there are many cases where electricians made mistakes and the switch did not open the phase wire. Therefore, current continued to flow to the lamp, which was a surprise to the performer.

Before performing the replacement, it is necessary to turn off the power to the room, and use special glasses and gloves for protection. In addition, you should provide yourself with convenient access to the replacement lamp, for which you use stepladders. Therefore, the actions of the performer in the photo are incorrect

The same thing often happens when switches with backlights that are popular today are used. As a result, only a complete blackout of the room where the replacement will be performed can prevent electrical damage.

To do this, you need to switch the input machine to the off position. Usually they are installed in switchboards, which are located near apartments. If the chain was installed a long time ago, then plugs may be used instead of machines, which means that they need to be unscrewed.

In addition, the contractor is obliged to check the absence of so-called “bugs”. Their danger is that the wires are connected directly, bypassing traffic jams, which can result in electric shock.

Setting the switch to the off position is not a guaranteed way to avoid electric shock. To do this, it is necessary to de-energize the entire room, that is, break the circuit using an input circuit breaker

If the lamp receives power from the outlet, then you need to pull out the plug from there. But it should be remembered that residual voltage is also life-threatening. And this phenomenon occurs quite often, so protective measures should be the same as when changing any other lamp.

After the room is de-energized, use an indicator screwdriver to make sure that the desired result is achieved and no current is supplied to the lamp. Only after all of the above operations is it permissible to directly perform the replacement.

But even during this procedure, you should not lean, lean against metal objects, or carry out this procedure in conditions of high humidity.

When performing any operations during lamp replacement, insulated tools should be used. In addition, to avoid injury, it should not be held by metal parts.

When the lamp is located at a height, then the performer needs to stock up on a strong stepladder or an extension ladder. With the help of such equipment it is allowed to perform replacement at a height of up to 5 meters.

If it occurs higher, then it is necessary to use special equipment, which are cranes and so on.

In addition, work at a height exceeding 5 m is called high-altitude work and must be performed by specialists with the appropriate clearance.

Gloves are mandatory when working on electrical networks, of which all lamps are part. Moreover, they should protect not only from electric shock, but also from cuts in case of damage to glass flasks

You should not take the listed information about safety measures as frivolous - the same physical education teacher, warehouse worker or any other performer who uses unauthorized equipment and does not have the appropriate skills may be held responsible for the result of their actions and their consequences.

Step #3 - dismantling/installing lamps

To perform this procedure, it is necessary to perform a number of mandatory, but simple actions in a strictly specified sequence. And without using any special tool.

These include:

  1. Removing lampshades, chandeliers, protective glass, and any decorative elements that impede access to the lamp. All such operations must be performed wearing protective equipment (gloves, goggles).
  2. Dismantling the lamps is done by twisting movements from right to left. At the same time, you should not grab the hot glass with your hands, which can cause burns. This concerns. To avoid trouble, you must use a protective glove along with a rubber glove. It will also protect against injury if the glass bulb is damaged.
  3. Installing a new light bulb is done using screwing movements, that is, from left to right.
  4. Installation of lampshades, decorative and protective elements.

Regardless of the type of lighting fixture, the replacement procedure is similar and technologically simple.

But when preparing, you should not forget that the glass elements must be wiped with some kind of rag, this will eliminate greasy marks left by your fingers. Since they can lead to premature failure, which occurs as a result of local overheating.

Before you begin replacing lamps, you must make sure that there is no current on the base of a lamp, chandelier, or any other electrical appliance. This can be done using a regular indicator screwdriver.

During work, the performer needs to hold the tools only by their insulated parts, which is guaranteed to prevent injury.

Before installing a new lighting fixture, you should find and bend the contact of the lamp. Since they often do not provide the necessary contact. The same procedure must be performed when the installed lamp does not light. Why should it be dismantled again?

Even if you use glasses when checking the functionality of a newly installed lighting fixture, you should still not be near it. Because explosions often occur that can cause injury.

This primarily applies to incandescent lamps. The reason is that their quality is often quite low, which leads to various unpleasant consequences.

The procedure for replacing lamps is extremely simple and the same for most cases. To dismantle, perform rotational movements from left to right, when installing from right to left. Some types are removed from the socket like a plug from a socket and are also connected. At the same time, you should not overload the glass parts, as they may not withstand

Sometimes the performer is unable to cope with dismantling the lamp. In this case, it must be unscrewed along with part of the cartridge. You should also remember that you should not put pressure on the glass elements, as this will lead to their damage, which can lead to injury.

Subtleties of replacing damaged lamps

It often happens that glass flasks are damaged during dismantling/installation. In such cases, the base itself can be unscrewed using pliers. But before that, you need to collect the scattered fragments.

If such a problem occurred with, then caution should be exercised. Their depressurization can lead to rapid and significant poisoning by vapors, which in a matter of seconds can fill a volume of 50 cubic meters.

And the excess of permissible standards at this moment will be more than impressive - 160 times. Therefore, if damage occurs, the work contractor must immediately evacuate all people in the premises from the premises.

Then carry out ventilation - its duration should be at least 20 minutes. Moreover, these measures are mandatory and the absence of any signs of exposure to mercury vapor should not reassure a person.

If the lamp being replaced cannot be unscrewed, then it is necessary to dismantle it along with part of the lamp socket. this procedure almost always ends successfully and quickly

Since they are colorless and odorless, this does not prevent the poison from quickly accumulating in the body, which will lead to poisoning. From which all systems of the body, the organs of vision, without exception, will suffer.

Continue replacing a depressurized mercury-containing lamp only after thorough ventilation and removal of broken glass.

Moreover, to perform it, rubber gloves, goggles, as well as a cotton-gauze bandage, which can be replaced with any damp piece of cloth, must be used.

After eliminating the consequences, you should call the Ministry of Emergency Situations specialists, who will determine whether it is safe for people to stay in the room. They also need to hand over a depressurized mercury-containing lamp.

How to properly dispose of an unwanted lamp?

The dismantled lamp should be handled carefully. That is, it does not need to be placed on hard surfaces, in places where someone’s careless movement will lead to injury.

But you should remember that only safe incandescent lamps and their LED analogues are allowed to be simply thrown into a general waste bin. Since they cannot cause any harm other than injuries if handled carelessly.

It is worth remembering that mercury-containing lamps are dangerous and must be taken to special points or thrown into containers

And only after all of the above can the lamp replacement be considered completed and positive results in terms of safety, comfort and efficiency can be expected.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The first video will help you understand the correct procedure when replacing lamps:

The video will help you figure out how to dismantle a damaged glass bulb:

The main point when replacing all kinds of lamps is to comply with numerous safety measures. Which require that the performer possess certain knowledge, skills, and use special tools and equipment.

Only all of the above will make it possible to carry out the replacement correctly, that is, safely for the health of the performer and all inhabitants of the house.

Have you repeatedly witnessed accidents due to non-compliance with electrical safety rules that occurred when replacing a light bulb? Tell us about it in the comments section - these stories will help many home craftsmen who are careless about the issue of personal safety, avoid injury and electric shock.

Question:

Good afternoon, I have a suspended ceiling in my room, but the lamps in it have started to go out. I tried to pull it out myself, but I couldn't unscrew it. The canvas is deformed and the lamp cannot be pulled out. I'm afraid of damaging the ceiling. Tell me how to properly restore the backlight?

Answer:

Stretch and suspended ceilings are often used to decorate interiors and embody design ideas. The lamps that are installed in them are called point or “spot”, which is translated from English as “Point”. These can use both 12-24V lamps and the usual 220V. The design of the device, although standard, is installed in different sockets, and the lamps in them are also fixed in different ways. This approach helps to create a multi-zone ceiling light that is appropriate both in the home and in the office. Let's find out how to change a light bulb in a suspended ceiling without damaging it.

What kind of lamps are used in spotlights?

In stores you can find a whole range of products for spotlights; they differ in both voltage and design. When replacing a lamp, you need to pay attention to both factors:

  1. Supply voltage – 12, 24 or 220 V.
  2. Base type.

The 12V supply voltage allows the use of such lamps in any room, including wet ones - the bathroom and kitchen. The type of base already depends on the lamp itself; for spotlights there are quite a lot of them, among them the most common ones can be identified:

  • GU5.3;
  • GU10;
  • GX53;

Generally speaking, they can be divided into two groups:

  1. Threaded base.
  2. Pin (the lamp must be inserted with or without rotation).

The last difference is the type of lamp:

  • Incandescent lamp;
  • Halogen;
  • Luminescent;
  • LED;

The last two types are usually called “Energy Saving”. Let's figure out how to change an LED and any other light bulb in a spotlight.

How to remove a light bulb from a suspended ceiling: 4 rules


Layout of a spotlight in a suspended ceiling

Spots are not fixed in the suspended ceiling, but basically. Its frame is attached to the ceiling, and its decorative part is located on the tension fabric. The socket can either be fixed to the frame of the spot, or simply hang on a wire, and the lamp is fixed in the lamp; we will tell you more about this below. The main thing when replacing is to adhere to the following rules:

  1. Use a stable ladder or stand. This is mandatory, because You cannot rest your hand on the suspended ceiling, you will damage it.
  2. Wear gloves. Halogen lamps should not be touched with bare hands. If greasy marks remain on their surface, this can lead to premature failure of the lamp. It is worth thinking about replacing halogen with diode analogues.
  3. When servicing lamps of the MR16 type, you must carefully remove the stopper so as not to lose it, otherwise the lamp will fall out.
  4. Make no effort. You must remove the light bulb or the spot itself carefully so as not to damage the suspended ceiling or drywall; determine the type of lamp and read the instructions for replacing it.

Replacing MR16, GU5.3 lamps


Layout of a spotlight with a GU5.3 base

Lamps for MR16 with GU5.3 base hold the lamp using a locking ring. It is less like a ring and more like a bracket. Let's find out how to remove a light bulb from a spotlight.

  1. Turn off the power. To avoid electric shock, it is better to turn off the electricity completely, because the switch does not always break the phase wire, although the correct circuit involves disconnecting the phase from the light bulb.
  2. If there is a decorative shade on the lamp, remove it.
  3. Squeeze the locking bracket with two fingers using the antennae provided for this purpose. Now you need to take it out. The removed stopper can easily jump out of your fingers, be careful.
  4. The lamp will hang on the wire; now you need to remove it from the socket, holding onto it. Do not pull on the wire to avoid tearing it off.
  5. Reassemble everything in reverse order and install the retaining ring in its place. Please note that there are grooves (windows) on the lamp body for this purpose.

There are some nuances. If the stopper does not sit in its place, this could be due to two reasons. The first is that the lamp was not inserted completely or its housing is not made to the standard. Secondly, perhaps the ring is not from this lamp; you could confuse them if you changed several lamps at once.

Instead of a spring stopper, there may be a threaded ring. We simply unscrew it and repeat the described steps.

Replacing lamps type GX53 (tablet)


Layout of spotlight type GX53

GX53s actually resemble a pill, they are usually round in shape with a white matte diffuser. Let's look at how to change gx53 light bulbs in a suspended ceiling. The procedure for replacing them is a little simpler than that of GU5.3. There are two pins on the lamp, but they are of a different shape. The pins have two diameters, the one closer to the lamp is smaller, and the one closer to the edge is twice as large. This is necessary to fix the light bulb in the socket. You don't have to disassemble anything here.

To replace this light bulb:

  1. Grasp the flask with one hand.
  2. Hold the frame of the lamp with your other hand.
  3. Turn the lamp counterclockwise 20 degrees.
  4. Pull out the lamp.
  5. Install the new one by turning it clockwise until it stops.

There is no need to remove the GX53 from the cartridge if it does not fit. The design allows for easy removal and insertion should be just as easy. It is fixed by turning and inserting the stops on the pins into a narrow place on the connector in the cartridge.

Replacing light bulbs with E14, E27 sockets

Bulbs with such sockets are less common in spotlights than pin ones, but still. They just need to be unscrewed and removed from the lamp. Now we will tell you how to change it in a spotlight. Depending on its design, there may be a locking ring, as described in the first type of lamp, or the lamp itself may be removed from the ceiling. On plasterboard ceilings, these are held in place by spring-loaded legs located opposite each other and spread in different directions under the action of a spring. You need to carefully remove the spot from the ceiling without damaging the latter, after which it will be convenient to unscrew the light bulb and screw in a new one. The stops, under the action of tension, will close towards each other and release the lamp.

Replacing a lamp in a suspended ceiling

The lamp in the suspended ceiling is fixed through plastic mounting rings. The spot itself rests on spring-loaded legs. The paws rest against the ring through the tension fabric. To remove such a lamp, do just two steps:

  1. Grasp the ring in the stretch ceiling with your hand, slightly resting on it.
  2. Pull the lamp body.

The springs will give in and the stops will come out of the ring.


The rings can be located on the reverse side of the tension film. Do not mindlessly pull on the body; do it with smooth but confident movements. Usually the wire to the cartridge is long enough and should not create obstacles.

We told you how to change an LED lamp in a suspended ceiling, now let's learn about some of the subtleties. Our tips will help you do this without damaging the wiring and ceiling covering, as well as quickly burning out the lamp.

  1. If a lamp burns out in the same place more often than others, the problem is in the socket. Pin sockets are not designed for high power, so it is better to use energy-saving lamps, then the socket will last longer, but if it is already damaged, replace the lamp or socket.
  2. Do not paw the flask - use napkins and gloves. In addition to visual defects, this can lead to burnout of halogen light sources, as we have already mentioned. Such lamps need to be handled with a napkin or with gloves; simple HB from a hardware store will do. If you don’t have them at hand, you can even use medical ones. A napkin will also help avoid problems. The last option is paper tape.
  3. If the lamp does not work, do not use force. It can stick to the cartridge, this happens due to power surges and overheating. Duct tape or paper tape will help. You can cover the protruding edge of the flask and pull the edge of the tape. This way you can apply more force without damaging the ceiling.

Errors

The main mistake is the use of powerful halogen lamps. For example, the GU5.3 base does not tolerate working with lamps over 40 W. To make the lighting brighter, add more lamps, or use LED or fluorescent fixtures. With the same power consumption, LEDs shine five or more times brighter. The price of LEDs has dropped significantly over the past five years, and the quality of the products has improved. They are suitable for both backlight and main lighting

If you already have high-power LED devices installed, try white lamps. Warm light visually seems dimmer and softer, although they provide the same luminous flux.

Video on the topic

To consolidate the material covered, we suggest watching a video with tips on replacing lamps in spotlights. In the first video, the author shows how to get the lamp itself; it clearly demonstrates the fastening mechanism.

The second video shows replacing the MR16 GU5.3 12V lamp from halogen to LED.

The latest short video shows how to replace lamps with GX53 socket

Changing lamps is quite simple, but without certain knowledge you can damage the ceiling structure. Do this carefully and follow the tips in this article.

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In almost any suspended ceiling, spotlights are used, the shelf life of which, unfortunately, does not last forever. Sooner or later you have to face the fact that one or more light bulbs have burned out and require replacement. If you have not installed lighting yourself, then you are also unfamiliar with replacement technology, but it is not that difficult. You can change the spotlight yourself. For this purpose, we provide step-by-step instructions below.

Suspended ceiling lighting

Suspended ceiling systems use one of the following types of lighting fixtures:

  • Halogen light bulbs. They are installed with the smallest gap relative to the base and provide bright diffused light that is comfortable for human eyes to perceive. Service life directly depends on correct installation (on average up to 4 years). Can be used in damp rooms thanks to low-voltage 12 and 24 V models. Since sharp voltage surges often occur in our power networks, it is recommended to install special stabilizers on the branch. Replacing a halogen model is more difficult than a traditional one, and the work requires the utmost care.

Halogen spotlight
  • Regular incandescent lamps. Everyone is familiar with their characteristics and replacement scheme.
  • LED models. Economical (highest efficiency) and durable (up to 100 thousand hours of continuous operation) option for spotlights. They are compact, functional and provide good panoramic lighting of any room.
  • LED strips. They are installed behind the canvas in rooms where it is planned to arrange a recreation area with pleasant soft lighting. They look very impressive in a suspended ceiling.
  • Energy saving models. They are good because they have low power. However, they cannot be used in rooms with high humidity; their service life is limited by cycles of switching on and off (the more often the light is turned on, the less the light bulb “lives”).

In addition, they contain mercury inside, a chemical element dangerous to human health, so if they break, people need to be evacuated from the premises and a set of disinfection measures is required.


False ceiling with light bulbs

Fastening

Let's talk about the types of fastening:

  • Traditional right-hand thread for standard chucks. Everyone knows how to change a device in such a system.
  • Light bulbs are also produced that are attached using two pins. They act as guides and secure after a click. Here, when replacing, the main thing is not to overdo it with force. When it gets into the groove, it clicks easily, but if you press hard, the light bulb can be damaged.
  • There are designs in which the light bulb needs to be immersed in the socket and rotated exactly 90°, then the element will snap into place.

Mounting a light bulb in a suspended ceiling

Replacing a lighting fixture

  • The first important rule is safety. Turn off the power supply on the panel along the required branch before replacing the lighting fixture.
  • Find a stable ladder or stand. Bring a replacement lamp with you. If the ceilings are made of plasterboard, wear safety glasses.
  • Unlock the damaged light bulb in the housing by finding the retaining ring. While performing the actions, you should hold the ring, as it is springy and can slip out of your hands. Externally, the ring resembles an ordinary spring wire.
  • Next, unscrew the burnt out light bulb and check the power, markings and dimensions of the base with the new one. If all parameters match, replacement can be carried out.
  • Now return the ring to its place and secure it carefully.
  • Turn on the electricity and check how the device works.

Replacing a light bulb in the ceiling
  • Before replacing, carefully inspect the lighting fixture. If you have energy-saving models or incandescent lamps, you do not need to press them, just turn them counterclockwise. If the coating is visible, and there is another bulb inside - this is the halogen version, which is secured with pins, then there is no need to twist anything.
  • If there are mirror elements in the suspended ceiling, perform the work carefully so as not to scratch the surface. The same applies to tension analogues, which are very sensitive to mechanical influences.
  • In a suspended ceiling, it is better to use devices of the same model, otherwise the lighting will not look harmonious. If it’s time to replace a burnt-out element, but you can’t find the same one, purchase a complete set of new devices.
  • If there were LED lamps that provided poor lighting, to increase the light flow, replace them not with higher power models, but with white elements. This way you will get the necessary lighting and save energy.

  • To replace a light bulb in a pendant system, use a piece of dry cloth or cotton gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints.

The following rules will help extend the life of the lighting system in a suspended system:


Compliance with operating rules increases service life
  • The number of spotlights must be correctly calculated; if this is not done, under increased load they will quickly fail;
  • choose quality products in a specialized store;
  • Check the wiring and cartridges for reliability at the purchase stage;
  • do not let the lamps overheat, even if you have ultra-expensive and branded lamps, they also need rest.

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