Fiber Optic Pool Lights Repair

Swimming pools add beauty to a common backyard. At night, the choice of lighting within the pool walls, such as with fiber optics, can add yet another layer of charm, but can also require periodic repair.

Identification

Fiber optic lighting consists of narrow, plastic fibers that do not conduct electricity, but that move light along its length. The bulb generating the light is above ground, and the resulting light at the end of the fiber optic line illuminates the pool water.

Considerations

If the bulb fails, it is a simpler replacement than a bulb within the pool wall since it is above ground. After verifying that the bulb is sound, and there is no light generated afterward, most likely the junction box that supplies the electricity is malfunctioning or a circuit breaker has tripped.

Significance

When installing fiber optic pool lights, the lines must be tested thoroughly before finishing the pool construction. Verify with the contractor that the fibers are placed and functioning correctly. Replacing the fiber optics lines for a customized pool can cost as much as $40 per foot (as of March 2011).

Troubleshooting Fiber Optic Pool Lights

In fiber optics, light is transmitted from one end of a thin piece of glass, called a silica, to the other end. Fiber optics are ideal because the light signal is stronger than on a standard metal circuit. That makes these lights ideal for swimming pools. Though a quality light source, fiber optics can still experience problems. If the fixture is cloudy, that means it is likely filled with water and the fiber optic lighting will need replacing. If this isn't the problem, proceed to the next step. Locate the breaker box for the pool lighting system. This will be outside your home, somewhere in the pool area. Flip the main power supply switch to the "Off" position and open the breaker box panel. Wait for the meter to produce a reading.