Strange issue - LED GU10 lights

ShivP

ShivP

ShivP

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Soldato
Joined
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Leicester
Hi all

We have 5x spotlights in a room which have functioned perfectly fine for a while, however today just noticed they are "flashing" every few seconds when off, sometimes separately, sometimes together. Sometimes only two flash, sometimes they all flash.
When they are on they work fine.
Any thoughts on this?
 
Terminal_Boy said:
Never seen that and I have a couple of dozen in my house.

Any chance that there’s damp/corrosion in the light switch?
Click to expand...
Ill pull it off tomorrow, can't bloody see anything
Forgot to mention Rcd did trip today as well so I hope it's not damp
 
I had an ancient light switch in a previously unventilated bathroom that had just enough moisture and carbon built up from arcing over the years that the incandescent GU10s would flicker on once in blue moon.

I put up with it until the switch started failing as a previous idiot had tiled over the edges of the switch facia in it was a PITA to replace.
 
ShivP said:
Hi all

We have 5x spotlights in a room which have functioned perfectly fine for a while, however today just noticed they are "flashing" every few seconds when off, sometimes separately, sometimes together. Sometimes only two flash, sometimes they all flash.
When they are on they work fine.
Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

Were these smart bulbs?

I seem to recall you mentioning smart lighting a while back, but can't recall if you went smart bulb or relay at the switch route.
 
Semple said:
Were these smart bulbs?

I seem to recall you mentioning smart lighting a while back, but can't recall if you went smart bulb or relay at the switch route.
Click to expand...
Nah, this room I haven't done anything smart or fancy yet. Dumb bulbs and dumb switch
 
I've taken all bulbs out for now, hopefully will dig out another double switch to replace it with from garage and will see how that goes thanks guys
 
if flickering is just happening a few times after they were last used sounds like erratic discharge of remaining charge from regulator in the bulbs,
maybe they are deteriorating as they age.
 
jpaul said:
if flickering is just happening a few times after they were last used sounds like erratic discharge of remaining charge from regulator in the bulbs,
maybe they are deteriorating as they age.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately not, flickering seemingly endlessly after switching off
 
aVdub said:
Cheap bulbs?

www.liquidleds.com.au

How to Fix the LED Flickering Issue?

Outdated dimmers, loose wiring, and a faulty driver are the three most common causes of LED light flickering. Regardless of the cause, in most cases, you can fix the issue on your own.
www.liquidleds.com.au www.liquidleds.com.au
Click to expand...
They aren't glowing as such unfortunately, they're flashing. I've seen the glowing before, I would be happy if it was a glowing issue :(
 
I had issues with all my kitchen down lights just due to one of them which was on the way out. I replaced it and all issues went away. They were on a dimmer though which might have affected it. I'd start with the easiest thing...replace the switch and see if the problem goes away. Then if that didn't work I'd eliminate each one by taking the bulb out of a different one each day. If still no joy then it will be an actual light fitting itself behind it most likely.
 
An old [leading edge] dimmer was my first guess. But if an on/off switch then that is weird.
Another suspect could be induction of current in the cable from an adjacent circuit running alongside - LEDs are sensitive to this - possible but less likely post the light switch than before it as the cable length will be short.
Floating voltage on neutral shouldn't do it even if present (and it shouldn't be!) since the lamps have no reference to ground. (Thinking out loud here).
I would try 1) a new light switch 2) new LED bulbs they do fail with age especially cheap ones.
 
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