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Trouble with type of bulb

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Trouble with type of X-10 device

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Total Members Voted: 1

[rknapp49]

     Hello, I'm new to this forum so please forgive me if I'm doing this incorrectly. I have a simple X-10 system set up in my bedroom. It consists of two RW724 wireless wall switches, 1 RR501 transceiver module (connected to a light fixture w/an incandescent bulb),and two appliance modules connected to two lamp fixtures with 3way CFL bulbs. Everything works as it should but after I turn the lamp fixtures off, especially at night, the CFL's start to pulsate or flash very faintly. The appliance module is a simple relay, if I understand correctly, and I hear it click off. There should be no voltage applied to the bulb. What gives?
     Interestingly enough, I ran into the same type of situation in my garage. I had two 4 ft. work lights (fluorescent w/electronic ballast) that plugged into a ceiling receptacle. I put two appliance modules in the receptacle to control the work lights. Same thing. The controller enabled me to turn the lights on or off, but after turning them off the bulbs would pulsate. Has this occurred to anyone else ? And how did you solve it? Thanks Bob

[Brian H]

The appliance modules have a local control sensing circuit in them. So there is a voltage on the output even when the mechanical ratchet switch is Off.
This sensing circuit causes CFLs to pulse or trigger the module back On.
Normally we say. Add a small 4 watt incandescent night light to the circuit to drain the current so a CFL does not pulse or turn the module back On.
There are modifications to eliminate the sensing circuit for the older models, but not for the recent CFL friendly models now being sold.
I take it your modules are not a recent hardware revision that is CFL friendly and is a lot less likely to pulse a CFL.

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Local_Control_for_Lamp_%26_Appliance_Modules