Electrical Wiring – Flickering Lights
kaorisdad
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I installed a new in-wall programmable light timer switch and I noticed in the ‘off’ position, the light it was controlling would constantly flicker. Upon checking the switch with a current tester, everything on the switch was hot – all three wires, the ground, and the metal bracket. Did I wire this correctly? Am I missing something or is the timer defective? (When I wired it, I only used two wires (black and blue) per the instructions.)
I have replaced it temporarily with a single pole switch and it works fine. Checked it with a tester and in the open (off) position, only the single wire leading in is hot, and the light is off – no flickering. In the closed (on) position, the wire in and out are both hot and the light is on.
Replies
Pending someone here who knows, try the manufacturers website -more and more they carry tech info/FAQs
"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Howard Thurman
After checking the manufacturer's website, I cannot use compact fluorescents with the timer switch. Something about the ballast in the circuit. I had used two CFLs. Wierd though - everyone is using CFLs now, especially for outdoor lighting.
Yeah, you cannot dim CFLs, except special "dimmable" units. Attempting to dim them will cause flaky operation and may damage the dimmer, the CFLs, or both. A fire is actually a slight possibility.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
This wasn't actually a dimmer - just on/off. But the timer I purchased I guess said that it cannot be used with CFLs.
I was just using one of those beeping testers to detect current. But while the timer was in the off position, everything metal I touched with it gave off a beep, including the ground.
I guess I could just switch to incandescent bulbs and test again. I'm not so sure, that from a future safety standpoint, I like the idea of that though. Somebody may inadvertently put CFLs in there and cause an unsafe condition. I still don't get how they can even make or sell a product like that.
was just using one of those beeping testers to detect current
Test it with a VOM.
With no disrespect intended to the OP, if he's using "one of those beeping testers", I think it unlikely he will know what a VOM is ;)
(To the OP, go to Radio Shack and purchase an inexpensive analog volt meter, as well as a simple book on using it. If you intend to do any electrical work in your home, it's vastly more useful than any digital gizmo. Or if you insist on gizmos, go to Home Despot or an electrical supplier and get what's called a "shakey" or solenoidal tester)PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
As we say, when in doubt - VOM it.
Yep!
I've let the smoke outa enough stuff over the years to being living proff for that one.
Was it the Intermatic EJ500C?
If so, not only will it not work with CFL's, but it won't even work with long-life incandescent. I had to replace several of these with the Intermatic ST01C because the instructions weren't clear that long-life bulbs aren't "standard" bulbs (at least according to Intermatic).
And yeah, they should really discontinue the EJ500C if they actually gave a fig about their customers.
Yes, it was a EJ500C. I'll replace it with the ST01C.
Well, certainly the ground shouldn't be "hot", but I suspect it was the tester you were using, or the way you did the testing.
CFL's will flicker with electronic switches, timers and senors. If there is more than one bulb, sometimes install adding one that is incandescent or led will stop the flickering.