Light bulb not switching off

[John Malam]

I've fitted a new bulb on our landing -- 60W LED GLS. It won't switch off, but just dims down a bit. Comes back to full brightness when switched on. (In other words, it's always 'on' even when the switch is 'off'.)

Have I used the wrong bulb type?
Is there a permanent trickle to this light that didn't affect the previous bulb?
Do I need the wiring checking?
Is it something else?

Thank you.

 

[buzzlightyear]

I've fitted a new bulb on our landing -- 60W LED GLS. It won't switch off, but just dims down a bit. Comes back to full brightness when switched on. (In other words, it's always 'on' even when the switch is 'off'.)

Have I used the wrong bulb type?
Is there a permanent trickle to this light that didn't affect the previous bulb?
Do I need the wiring checking?
Is it something else?

if it was me I would start ringing ghostbuster's electrical .

 

[buzzlightyear]

and this bulb you have fitted .try and take it out and put it in another room and see if you get the same result .is the bulb has it got a built in sensor .night time one .

 

[Octopus]

As its LED It may need a snubber

 

[Midwest]

Thats 'cos of the strappers, I'm led to believe.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - LEDs are very efficient and so sometimes we get some light output from small voltages induced into the light circuit cables. This isn't free power as it all goes through your house meter, it's just a nuisance. I guess the landing light has a 2 way switch?

 

[Midwest]

The same make & model of lamp, can have or not have this same issue, in my limited experience.

 

[John Malam]

Hi - LEDs are very efficient and so sometimes we get some light output from small voltages induced into the light circuit cables. This isn't free power as it all goes through your house meter, it's just a nuisance. I guess the landing light has a 2 way switch?

Yes, there's a two-way switch.

 

[Midwest]

As suggested, try the lamp in another location. Dependant on the make etc, small induce voltages (from strappers in 2 way lighting e.g.) can cause the led lamp to glow or flicker.

 

[telectrix]

what they all said. ....if it's causing grief, this Scouser lives in exile in Cheshire and can call round have a look at it.and you'll still have wheels on your car when i've left. OK the might be pram wheels but.....

 

[Squid]

If you unscrew the lamp does it go off or stay on if it stays on then I am with Buzz......

 

[Deleted account]

Very common especially with 2 way lighting. Try a different make of LED bulb. This has worked for me.

 

[freddo]

Had a similar fault last year, the fault was pull switch had water in it.

 

[Taylortwocities]

As its LED It may need a snubber

As he says, a snubber usually fixes this little problem.
One of these for instance.

 

[John Malam]

Thanks for all the comments -- really helpful.

I've swapped the LED over to another fitting in the house (1-way) and it switches on/off without any 'after glow'. So, it looks like it's the 2-way fitting that is the problem, not the bulb.

Does it mean the fitting is faulty and should be checked for safety?

Over the years, when a bulb blows, it's nearly always been the one attached to this fitting.

 

[Midwest]

Led lamps can suffer from this effect of flashing or glowing dimly, when the lamp is turned off (google that phrase), for the reasons as described, or if the neutral to the lamp position is switched, as opposed to the live.

You could have your wiring checked, but I suspect if you try a different lamp by a different manufacturer, the issue might be resolved.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Thanks for all the comments -- really helpful.

I've swapped the LED over to another fitting in the house (1-way) and it switches on/off without any 'after glow'. So, it looks like it's the 2-way fitting that is the problem, not the bulb.

Does it mean the fitting is faulty and should be checked for safety?

Over the years, when a bulb blows, it's nearly always been the one attached to this fitting.

It won't be the fitting itself, but probably the fixed wiring in the house. This problem is often seen on two-way lighting circuits and those that are not properly earthed. It is usually caused by voltages from adjacent circuits being induced into the lighting circuit.

As above, your solution is to fit a snubber or try a better make of LED lamp.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Thanks for all the comments -- really helpful.

I've swapped the LED over to another fitting in the house (1-way) and it switches on/off without any 'after glow'. So, it looks like it's the 2-way fitting that is the problem, not the bulb.

Does it mean the fitting is faulty and should be checked for safety?

Over the years, when a bulb blows, it's nearly always been the one attached to this fitting.

It won't be the fitting itself, but probably the fixed wiring in the house. This problem is often seen on two-way lighting circuits and those that are not properly earthed. It is usually caused by voltages from adjacent circuits being induced into the lighting circuit.

As above, your solution is to fit a snubber or try a better make of LED lamp.

 

[Deuce]

Some LED lamps have better electronics that adapt far better to inconsistent voltage, and have a better threshold for when to turn off if the voltage is very low (say 20v or less).

Also are there any dimmers on the lighting circuit? They can mess up LED anytime they're in use.

Perhaps easiest thing is to pop to screwfix and buy a multi-meter and just test the output of the light fitting. They sell one for only £10.99

Experiment with different combinations of lights on/off on the same circuit and test the fitting with each combination to see the effect. It's well worth doing as whilst it's probably just capacitive coupling from a two way switch (in which case you could see a few volts when the fitting is 'off'), it could also be an insulation resistance problem (you might see higher voltage when 'off' and potentially lower than mains voltage when 'on'), which is more of an issue and would demand proper investigation. Either way some basic test results will be the start of the solution.

 

[Spoon]

Also are there any dimmers on the lighting circuit? They can mess up LED anytime they're in use.

We are going to get lots of posts about 'faulty bulbs' or 'flashing bulbs' soon, as they have banned halogen lamps and want everyone to go LED. All these cheap dimmer switches are going to keep the forum busy.