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Author Topic: Controlling LED light bulbs  (Read 6212 times)

szyhxc

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Controlling LED light bulbs
« on: December 21, 2013, 08:24:01 AM »

I recently convert some in-cabinet halogen lights to LEDs in several fixtures.  The old halogens had be controlled with an in-wall push button switch which had worked as expected for years.  Initially the new LEDs worked as well with the old switch, but my wife noticed that the lights made an annoying buzzing sound.  A quick experiment, removing the switch from the circuit, proved that the issue was in the switch, and I ordered a WS13A replacement expecting it to correct the problem.  It corrected the buzz, but the switch which responds to an ON signal will not respond to an OFF.  I have tried to add an incandescent bulb to the circuit but that did nothing.  If I remove the load from the switch I can hear it click on and off but when the LED load is reconnected it again goes ON but not OFF.

I am out of ideas and welcome any suggestions to either get the new switch working or get the old switch to stop buzzing.

Thanks,,, Bernie

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Brian H

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Re: Controlling LED light bulbs
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2013, 09:13:52 AM »

Where the LED bulbs dimmable? Not all LED bulbs are made to be used on a dimmer type switch?

Was the old X10 wall switch a two wire one. That only has a Line and Load connection?

With the WS13A symptoms of On but not Off. Is many times the load is making enough noise to mask the X10 power line signals or absorbing {Signal Sucker} the X10 power line signals.

You may want to give these links a look at for troubleshooting tips.
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
http://www.act-remote.com/PCC/uncle.htm
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JeffVolp

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Re: Controlling LED light bulbs
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2013, 10:05:40 AM »

I have a small 4-watt 120V Lumoform LED light that is the worst noisemaker I have ever run across.  When on, it will kill X10 operation on its circuit unless it is isolated with a filter.  You probably need a filter between the switch and the first LED light in the string.

I used the Leviton 6287 for that application.  That is out of production, and is almost impossible to find.  I did pick up a few recently, and they are listed on my X10 equipment page.  Please, just one per customer.

Jeff
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X-10 automation since the BSR days

szyhxc

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Re: Controlling LED light bulbs
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2013, 12:15:17 PM »

Where the LED bulbs dimmable? Not all LED bulbs are made to be used on a dimmer type switch?

Was the old X10 wall switch a two wire one. That only has a Line and Load connection?

With the WS13A symptoms of On but not Off. Is many times the load is making enough noise to mask the X10 power line signals or absorbing {Signal Sucker} the X10 power line signals.

You may want to give these links a look at for troubleshooting tips.
http://jvde.us/x10_troubleshooting.htm
http://www.act-remote.com/PCC/uncle.htm

Brian,

LEDs are NOT dimmable.  The old switch is of the two wire variety.

Your info and what I received from JeffVolp triggerd some thoughts.  I added an X-10 XPPF filter to the load circuit and now all is well.

Thanks and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
« Last Edit: December 21, 2013, 12:18:07 PM by szyhxc »
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szyhxc

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Re: Controlling LED light bulbs
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2013, 12:19:15 PM »

I have a small 4-watt 120V Lumoform LED light that is the worst noisemaker I have ever run across.  When on, it will kill X10 operation on its circuit unless it is isolated with a filter.  You probably need a filter between the switch and the first LED light in the string.

I used the Leviton 6287 for that application.  That is out of production, and is almost impossible to find.  I did pick up a few recently, and they are listed on my X10 equipment page.  Please, just one per customer.

Jeff

Your info and what I received from Brian triggerd some thoughts.   I added an XPPF X-10 filet to the load circuit and now all is well.

Thanks and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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Brian H

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Re: Controlling LED light bulbs
« Reply #5 on: December 21, 2013, 02:20:39 PM »

I have tested a few different dimmable LED bulbs. None have worked correctly with an X10 two wire dimmer type switch. So I am not surprised your nondimmable LED bulbs made noise wen running on an X10 two wire dimmer.
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