It sounds like you've got a "wall wart" transformer running the lamp.
These are well known for their inefficiency and standby power
requirements. As such, they are about to be outlawed in California. I
think the simplest solution to the problem is to buy a new high efficiency
wall wart, which is generally a wall mounted switching power supply. These
meet the new efficiency and standby power requirements.

Harold


> Hello everybody.
> I wonder if any of you can help me in solving this problem.
> I have a stylish table lamp which i'd like to retrofit. The lamp is built
> with a transformer permanently connected to the mains and a switch plus a
> bulb on the low voltage side of the transformer. The bulb and the switch
> are
> away from the transformer and I cannot put anything that side (remember, t
> is stylysh... ;-( ). What happens is that transformer gets very hot and
> after some time breaks even if not used. besides I don't like the
> transformer to be always connected to the mains. I'm wondering if there is
> any way limiting current on the mains side of the transformer and to sense
> in order to switch the real power only when needed. I'd like to use all
> semiconductors, all on the mains side, no secondary supply. Any idea? Hope
> I
> made you understand the problem, my english is not that good.
> Many thanks in advance.
>
> Alessandro
>
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