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Author Topic: Flickering Lights  (Read 9162 times)

georgep

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Flickering Lights
« on: April 20, 2005, 07:50:18 AM »

I have a strange thing going on and wanted
to see if anyone else has ever experienced
this. I'm getting a slight flickering in
the lights to the point where my UPS
devices connected to my PC's are triggering
a noise condition.  This is occuring on
lights connected to modules, wall switches
and even lights that are not X10
controlled. Does anyone have any
suggestions for what to look for or a good
test tool that will help me isolate the
problem? I haven't called the power company
yet, but that might be an option. Also,
there wasn't anything new that I added to
my system that was working fine.
Thanks very much.
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SteveRF

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2005, 09:19:11 AM »

George,
I thought it was just my eyes BUT I think I
have seen similar "very subtle" flickering in
bathrooms controlled by X10 wall switches.
It is more noticeable when dimmed to 50%.  I
have to actually look for it to see it.
regards,
SteveRF
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X10 Pro

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2005, 01:07:43 PM »

GeorgeP: I'd say you should contact your
power company. If it were just X10 lights
that were flickering, or just a specific
light, it would be different, but this sounds
like something more than that.

SteveRF: What wattage/type are the bulbs in
your bathroom? That can sometimes affect the
performance of a wall switch in that way.
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Observer

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2005, 01:20:09 PM »

Steve RF: great job that really must have
helped. Did I missed the technical substance?

GeorgeP  what kind of switches and what kind
of light bulbs are you using.  Also are
there any low voltage lighting systems
installed?  Check your circuit breakers for
any tripped especially 220 on just one phase.

X10 Pro:  GeorgeP aske so lets help Steve.
Way to go.
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georgep

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2005, 02:46:33 PM »

I'm trying to avoid getting the power
company involved if I can.  You know how
much help that will be! As I said, it's
registering as noise to my UPS's. It may,
however, only be on one phase because only
2 of my 4 are reporting the noise and they
are both downstairs where I'm seeing the
flickering.
So, again.. anyone have any good advice on
a reasonable X10 testing device?
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Observer

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2005, 02:51:36 PM »

GeorgeP:  Have you tried to isolate it to a
breaker?
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georgep

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2005, 03:29:41 PM »

Observer: That's the next step when I get
home this evening. Are you thinking that I
may have a tripped breaker that in its
tripped state is generating some noise? I
could have a tripped 220 breaker as I have
some electric heat that's not in use so I
wouldn't have noticed it. I'll report back
later on what I fine.  Thanks for the
suggestion.
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SteveRF

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2005, 06:20:38 PM »

X10Pro,
Answering your question:
Bathrooms are incandescent and are 40watt, 4
each for a total of 160watt.
SteveRF
I think I noticed the same in the second bath
but this is not an issue now.  Reliability of
the CM15A is paramount to me.
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georgep

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2005, 06:27:17 PM »

Update: Still having the issue, caused one
UPS to record 390 electrical noise issues.
I shut down all breakers that are not in
use (220 electric heat), still an issue. I
think I'll call the power company..
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georgep

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2005, 07:52:17 AM »

Well, as fast as the problem came, the
problem is gone! I have no idea what was
causing it, but I suspect it was a power
company issue.
Thanks to everyone in this thread for their
advice.

PS. Still looking for a good X10 diagnostic
tool.  I'm leaning towards one of the
Smarthome ones... thoughts?
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Former AHP User

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2005, 08:47:31 AM »

Automated Outlet has a tester that you buy,
use, and return.  All you end up paying is
shipping.
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roger1818

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Re: Flickering Lights
« Reply #11 on: April 21, 2005, 06:19:18 PM »

George:  I seem to remember Ron W.
recommending the ACT Tester.  I don't have
any experience with it though.

Former AHP user:  That is nice to know.
Thanks!
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