Why is my light not working?

Why is a light not working after changing the bulb?

When a new bulb does not help, the cause usually sits in one of four places: the bulb, the circuit, the switch or the fitting.

If the problem started straight after a light bulb replacement, the bulb may be the wrong type or cap for the fitting, or faulty. A circuit breaker may also have tripped. The wall switch can fail too, and an LED panel or downlight may have a failed driver.

You can check the bulb and the circuit yourself. The rest is a job for an electrician.

Safe checks you can do

1. Check the new bulb. Make sure its cap and type match the fitting, then try it in a fitting that works.
2. Check the other lights. See whether other lights on the same circuit still work.
3. Look at the DB box. Look for a tripped miniature circuit breaker (MCB) without opening the cover, and only if everything around it is dry.
4. Follow the reset guidance. If an MCB has tripped, read the section on tripped circuits below first.
5. Stop if nothing has tripped. Call an electrician.

If every light and socket is off, see our guide to no power in the whole flat.

Bulb, starter and driver

If you have a ceiling light not working and it has no replaceable bulb, the fitting or its driver is the part to replace. A failed driver usually cannot be spotted without testing, so do not open the fitting to check.

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) lists the replacement of lighting points as electrical work to be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Electrical Worker. An electrician can check the starter or driver, or handle the light installation of a new fitting.

Switch faults and tripped circuits

HDB says MCBs protect against overheating of cables and appliances. When an overload or short circuit causes an overcurrent, the MCB trips and cuts supply to that circuit. A single pole MCB protects one circuit.

If all is clear, as practical guidance (not a rule from any agency), switch off or unplug what was running on that circuit, then push the tripped switch back up once. If it trips again straight away, leave it off and call a Licensed Electrician. Never reset it repeatedly, tape it or hold it up, or open the DB box cover. For repeat tripping, look for electricians who handle power trips.

If a switch sparks, feels warm or has burn marks, stop using it and call a Licensed Electrical Worker. The Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) says to always engage a licensed electrical worker for repair work and check the worker's credentials, and EMA lists the replacement of switches as electrical work for an LEW.

Wiring issues for an LEW

The wiring itself can also be at fault. HDB says wiring has a limited lifespan, about 25 years for PVC cables. An LEW can check the wiring and advise whether it needs replacing.

HDB's renovation guidelines for electrical works do not allow wiring to be embedded in walls, slabs or plaster. New wiring in an HDB flat runs in surface trunking, above a false ceiling or behind carpentry instead.

EMA says electrical work in an HDB flat needs a Licensed Electrician, the class of LEW approved for loads of up to 45kVA. Every LEW carries a licence card, and EMA's guide to engaging licensed workers says to verify it before any electrical work starts.

When you contact electricians, tell them what you have already checked.

What an electrician may charge

These are published installation and call-out rates, as printed. None prices fault finding on a light, a new switch or rewiring: an electrician prices a fault after checking it.

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published call-out rates

For the most common unit (per visit), the lowest published call-out rates from 4 companies run from S$32.70 to S$300 per visit (middle rate S$40), per visit, before any repair. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.

See 4 published call-out rates and sources

Lowest matching advertised rate per company, in SGD as published. "From" marks a starting price and ranges are shown in full. Check the source for minimums, GST and inclusions.

Company	Service as listed	Rate	Source
Yeobuild HomeRepair	Call-Out Charges	S$32.70 per visit	yeobuild.com.sg
Fix My Heater	Transport & inspection fee (waived when repair proceeds)	S$40 per visit	fixmyheater.sg
Sin & Goh Electrical Engineering	Basic attendance / call-out fee	S$40 to S$80 per visit	wireman.com.sg
Mirza M&E Engineering Pte.Ltd.	Call-out	S$300 per visit	mirzaengineering.com.sg

4 companies publish a call-out fee, from S$32.70 to S$300 per visit as printed, with S$40 per visit in the middle (both middle rates are S$40). Any repair is extra; see electrician call-out fees for more.

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published light installation rates

For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published light installation rates from 4 companies run from S$15 to S$97 per job, to install one light fitting.

See 7 published light installation rates and sources

Lowest matching rate per company, in SGD as published.

Company	Service as listed	Rate	Source
Sembawang Lighting House Pte Ltd	LED light installation, from	From S$8 per light	sembawanglightinghouse.com
AVV Engineering Pte Ltd	Labour to Replace / Install Light	S$15 per job	avvelectrical.com
Lito Electrical Service	Light Installation	From S$20 per job	litoelectrical.com
Mr Electrician Pte Ltd	Installation of Ceiling Light	S$30	mrelectrician.sg
Repair.sg	Light supply and install	From S$55 per job	repair.sg
1st Electrical Services	Install / replace down light (light fitting provided by the owner)	From S$97	sg-electrician.com
Spower Electrician Services	Install hanging or deco light (owner supplies fitting), with existing point	From S$97 per job	spower.com.sg

Of the 7 companies that publish a light installation line, 4 price it per job, from S$15 to S$97 per job as printed; the other lines are priced per light or printed without a unit. See the light installation cost guide and electrician costs for more published rates.

Questions