Some time ago ( that long ago that I can't find the original post), I looked for help in getting a faulty lamp out of it's holder. Outer glass circular cover came off when I tried to turn lamp. The inner of the lamp couldn't be turned by hand ( and I felt sharp edges ), so I gave up and asked for help. No one seemed to have seen this problem ,and loss of one of four made little difference,so it got forgotten. Today we had power drops and another gave up. Same problem (again another of the original lamps) ,so I decided to drop the unit and have a look . Solution was very simple .

 

From investigation the lamp is in three bits. Base ,with contacts+ reflector / Lamp ,which is a glass envelope with pins (which plugs into the base and sits in the middle of the lamp) and glass cover. 

 

FIRST COMES THE ELF & SAFETY BIT.

REMOVE POWER TO THE CIRCUIT AT THE MAINS DISTRIBUTION UNIT BEFORE  GOING ANYWHERE THE WIRING -

REMEMBER GU10 LAMPS ARE MAINS DRIVEN. AND PREPARE FOR GLASS HAZARDS

 

My units are held on a base unit with slots for the screws. Push unit on to base, rotate and tighten screw to fix in place. I find that a loop of string fastened on the arms and looped over the ceiling fixings holds the unit whilst I remove /replace the wiring .One day ,I might get around to fitting push fit connectors to the lamp unit.

 

If the circular glass cover is in place, remove it CAREFULLY, with a small screwdriver. GENTLY nudge the glass envelope to one side ,which should snap the pins on the base and release the element unit. Withdraw the glass envelope, revealing a slot in the inners. My lamp rotated as I suspect the holder had become slack. I simply used the slot ( in the base used to site the element)as a screwhead for a larger screwdriver and tightened the holder, then pushed the lamp remains into the base and rotated the lamp free.

Mu GU10's used to blow all the time, when switching on the light - Had 2 different electricians check them out and both stated it was a common fault with those bulbs - Generally the cheap imports blow quicker.

 

The last electrician gave me a tip and told me to change to some expensive LED GU10's as opposed to the Halogen, I bought 8 (the unit takes 4) over a year ago and I still have 4 unopened in the cupboard.  I was previously buying one or 2 every month, these have more than paid for themselves now.

 

Back onto the issue of removing a broken bulb - my dad once told me how to do this for normal bulbs - use a potato..Again - make sure the electricity is off for safety.  Find a suitable sized potato which is just larger than the bulb fitting - and push it in there and use the potato to twist out the bayonette.