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[luis_m_y]

LM15A can work with LED bulb and is safe?

[Tuicemen]

I have one in a LM15a been using it for 6 Months now.
I've also have one on a old LM465 and yes it dims.
Safe? 
X10 won't state it is safe to do so, none of their stuff was made with the new style lighting options avalable today.
 

[Brian H]

The LM15A does not dim and many CFLs work in them fine.

LED bulbs may also work but it may depend on the bulb itself.
My EarhtLed Evolux S 13 Watt; with a 90-277V 50Hz/60Hz power rating; did not like a socket rocket at all. While some of my lower wattage LED bulbs where fine.

Official X10 stand is only incandescent bulbs in a Socket Rocket. Could be a CYA in case some bulbs do bad things.  

[dave w]

I use LM15A to control several LED rope lights and they work well for that. As far as "is it safe" question. Since the LM15A as described on X10 web site, and in the instructions states it is for Incandescent lights, I think it would be foolish for anyone on the forum to say "yes" to the second question.

The problem is there is different types of LED bulbs. The bulbs with many LEDs (usually wired all in series) typically just use a resistor and diode to reduce 120V down to something that will not make the LEDs smoke. Essentially that is the way the LED rope lights function and are happy with my Socket Rockets.

Newer high output single LED bulbs using large die LEDs (Luxeon, Cree, etc) have some type of compact power supply buried down in the socket.

I have single die bulbs that have a tiny transformer squished in the socket which do work on the LM15A, however the LM15A will distort the AC waveform slightly and that minor distortion could cause "discomfort" with other types of power supplies.

About the only answer is for you to experiment with the bulb in a LM15A for a day and watch for heat or smoke....at least that my recommendation.

[Dan Lawrence]

I have assorted CFLs in LM15's without a bit of a problem, several are a few years old.

[RJMIM]

All of the LED lights that I have tried seem to barely stay on when they should be off.  It is very dim but they are deninitely still on. 

[dave w]

Pretty normal for a Lamp Module or Appliance Module, but I don't notice dim LEDs in the ropes controlled by the Socket Rockets (?).

[Brian H]

I just tried a <1 watt; 3 LED night light replacement bulb; in a Socket Rocket and it didn't glow at all.
Also tried a 15 LED and 36 LED bulb in a Socket Rocket. No glow at all.
I also have seen them glow with Appliance and Lamp Modules.

[dave w]

Yeah,  I don't think RJMIM was talking LM15A even though he is on that thread.

[Bilcor]

An LED is a device that will emit light when a DC current is passed through it.  That means that the new type lights merely rectify the AC and pass it to the LED's.  You will get some dimming until the voltage gets to low to break down the junction of the diode.  As for the glowing when the module is dimmed, this means that there is a residual voltage out of the module when fully dimmed.  An incandescent lamp wouldn't emit any light at this voltage.  I guess the answer to the question would be that if the LED lamp doesn't have a transformer, then it wouldn't present an inductive load so should be fine with X10 modules.

[Brian H]

Bilcor; True but there is a small sensing current on the output of appliance and lamp modules. Many LEDs glow even when off.

[Dan Lawrence]

Bilcor; True but there is a small sensing current on the output of appliance and lamp modules. Many LEDs glow even when off.

The old cube tap with a 3 watt night light plugged into the cube tap and an appliance module plugged into the other side kills the CFL "flicker" every time.