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Author Topic: Fluorescent bulb flicker when off  (Read 3258 times)

shred444

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Fluorescent bulb flicker when off
« on: December 29, 2008, 11:39:29 PM »

Hi there, I'm setting up lamps to run off of the AM466 appliance module with power saving fluorescent bulbs.  I noticed that when the relay is off, the bulbs flicker at around 1hz very faintly.  Has anyone noticed this before? 

Any idea what is causing this?  I'm assuming its a sense line used for flicking on the relay if I manually turn on the lamp.  Can this damage the bulb or the relay?

Thanks!
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Brian H

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Re: Fluorescent bulb flicker when off
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2008, 06:13:30 AM »

Yes you are correct.
The Local Control Sensing Current. Used to detect when you toggle the lamps on off switch to turn it on locally.

Are these two or three pin Appliance Modules and how new are they?

Is there a Date Code on a small sticker on the modules back side and what is it?

I know that the three pin ones are being sold as CFL friendly. I have not seen any ads mentioning the two pin ones. I suspect the internal PC Board would be the same for both as the case is the big difference and the two pin ones would also. The fact that they pulse slowly and do not turn back on [old ones where known to trigger back on after being turned off]. You probably have the newer version.

As a test to see if this is the case. Using a small power tap. Add a standard 4 or 7 watt night light on the modules output. If the CFLs stop flickering. You then know this is the problem. There are some here that have varied solutions. So after the test let us know what you found.
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