Unusual Phenomenon

[goldstar]

I had done some work recently at a residence and installed some recessed LED hi-hats (1" Low profile type) in a suspended ceiling in a basement controlled by an LED dimmer. The HO called me and said that the septic alarm panel had a neon light that was on steady while the lights were on but when he shut the lights off it started to flicker. He claims that he looked up this situation on-line and a site claimed that there may be an interaction between the septic alarm unit and the dimmer. I thought it might be because the circuits were on the same phase, I swapped phases and had the same issue. Anyone else run into this situation ?

 

[hbiss]

The HO called me and said that the septic alarm panel had a neon light that was on steady while the lights were on but when he shut the lights off it started to flicker.

Those little neon bulbs used for indicators and night lights have a finite life span. When they start to give up they will flicker and eventually go out. Funny thing is that, when that happens, if you illuminate them they will light or stop flickering. So apparently what is happening here is that the lights are providing illumination making them fire and in the dark they go back to flickering.

This is a good thing to remember when dealing with illuminated switches and night light switches and the customer complains that they are flickering at night.

-Hal

 

[James L]

It's more tgan likely RFI.
I haven't had that exact scenario, but I've seen it between LEDs and other electronic stuff.

There's a priority that's regulated by the FCC

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Did you use a Lutron dimmer? or a compatible dimmer... Could be a bad set of LED's. Try another brand

 

[hbiss]

Turn the lights out and when it's flickering shine a flashlight on it. Let me know what happens.

-Hal

 

[goldstar]

Turn the lights out and when it's flickering shine a flashlight on it. Let me know what happens.

-Hal

Thanks Hal. I'll try that and post my findings

 

[goldstar]

Did you use a Lutron dimmer? or a compatible dimmer... Could be a bad set of LED's. Try another brand

Yes. it's a Lutron Diva dimmer LED compatible

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I bet it is the fixtures then... What brand led are you using? Is there a bulb or a trim with the tape lights built in?

 

[kwired]

Could it be that it is always flickering but is not as easy to detect in higher ambient light conditions?

 

[Frank DuVal]

Those NE2s and NE51s will age to the point of needing to be in a high light environment to light, just like Hal says. I've had one in those lighten end extension cords do that.

Neons don't work in the dark

Would you believe it? Neon bulbs need light to start. I was looking into the little indicators while thinking about discharging x caps on power supplies an

www.electronicsweekly.com

.

 

[LarryFine]

I used a neon bulb and a pair of 100k ohm resistors to make a remote indicator for a light in a detached garage years ago.

Connect the resistors in series, each end to one traveler, and the bulb from the center point to neutral.

With the light off, the center point is at 60v, not enough to fire the bulb (90v typ.)

 

[goldstar]

Turn the lights out and when it's flickering shine a flashlight on it. Let me know what happens.

-Hal

Well Hal, you hit the nail on the head. I had my customer try that and it worked just as you said it would. Thanks for the tip - but still wierd

 

[goldstar]

I bet it is the fixtures then... What brand led are you using? Is there a bulb or a trim with the tape lights built in?

The LED fixtures are HD brand that he bought. They are 8" slim fixtures w/ adjustable color switch.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

Well Hal, you hit the nail on the head. I had my customer try that and it worked just as you said it would. Thanks for the tip - but still wierd

That's one to keep in mind.