Crazy Lights

[jmellc]

We had an issue with lights in a supply room. 4 2x4 panel LED’s and a 2x2. They flipped a switch Mo day morning & lights flickered back & forth,?with 2?staying out. When I got there later, all were on & night crew knew nothing about it. I flipped off and on a few times & it happened again but different pattern & left 1 light out. I checked all connections, all good. We got replacements & Im having to do 1 at a time, between their work & mine. Replaced first one, powered it up and got a boom, just like a 277 dead short. Light went out but others were on, so it didn’t trip a breaker. I checked the light but found no burn marks or odor. Powered back up and it was good, lit normally. Before installing next light, I powered it up at the bench, though only had 120 there. All good, installed & it is good. The remaining 2 originals still do crazy flickering & sometimes stay on, sometimes not. I suspect faulty drivers, though unusual for several at a time to go out.

Only other thing close that I’ve seen was a long row of flourescents on 2 circuits, some having emergency ballasts. Someone had changed a lot of ballasts & crossed up some neutrals. All day to straighten out.

The boom was only time I’ve ever seen this. I’ve seen lights die with their last breath but never such a thing & then work OK.

I hope this isn’t a preview of coming attractions. I mostly like LED’s but wonder if faulty electronics will wreak havoc. I guess only time will tell.

 

[winnie]

Any chance of wide voltage range lights (120-277V) connected in series on a 277V supply?

Depending upon the luck of startup inrush and the like the drivers would settle into a consumption pattern which leaves one light powered with full voltage, and the other carrying current but at near zero volts.

-Jon

 

[jmellc]

Good thought but no series connections.

We joke about our gremlin when we have strange issues. I think he outdid himself here.