Light flicker now and then

[Steviecuk]

If you've seen my previous thread for advice you'll know that I have just finished doing up my living room and I have 8 dimable LED GU10's fitted into the main socket loop because of a couple of reasons. The loops goes like this...

Fused spur on socket loop -> 13A plug socket -> junction box -> 8x GU10 LED wired in parallel. All using 2.5mm cable.

I have noticed, certainly when lights on full power, that every now and then I get a single flicker from the GU10's. Usually as I plug something into any of the sockets on the loop.

Can anyone tell me why this happens and if there is a way of stopping this. It's not a major issue but would like it to be perfect if possible.

Thanks. Steve.

 

[dmxtothemax]

are the lights controlled by a dimer ?
If so, that is your culprit !
The triggering circuit in some dimers
can be very sensitive to voltage variations.
there's no easy fix, you have to use another brand of dimer.

 

[Wilko]

Hi Steve - 2 things come to mind. Is there a continuity issue in the loop and you're flexing a junction in the back of the outlet (causing a momentary loss of power) when you plug in. This seems unlikely as you say all outlets affected. Or, it may be that the normal current surge on connection of a new load. This current surge causes a voltage drop in the circuit and this dims the light. Lighting circuits have a smaller voltage drop design allowance in the Standards in recognition the eye can pick up small changes in illumination. If voltage drop is causing this, then you may improve it by moving the lights onto a new circuit. FYI, I try to put lights onto dedicated lighting circuits to minimise this effect. Hope that helps, David.

 

[westward10]

He is getting volt drop I should imagine. What are you plugging in, a kettle?
Why did you wire them in 2.5?

 

[Steviecuk]

He is getting volt drop I should imagine. What are you plugging in, a kettle?
Why did you wire them in 2.5?

Don't ask. Lol. I bought too much 2.5 which I used to go to the socket before the lights so I just carried on with it to the lights. I have already been advised I could have put a 5a fuse box after the socket then dropped down to 1.5 but didn't think of it at the time. Things like laptop charger I'm plugging in.

 

[Steviecuk]

are the lights controlled by a dimer ?
If so, that is your culprit !
The triggering circuit in some dimers
can be very sensitive to voltage variations.
there's no easy fix, you have to use another brand of dimer.

Yes using a dimmer. Sounds like the problem then. Will try a different brand. Thank you.

 

[Steviecuk]

Sorry to resuscitate this thread but still haven't solved the problem. I have now cut two holes in my bloody ceiling and taken the lights off of the socket ring and put it where it should have been, on the lighting one. Guess what, still bloody flickers when I plug something in. How the hell is it flickering when it's on a completely different loop to the sockets? Arrrrggghhhh

 

[Jamchiv01]

Sorry to resuscitate this thread but still haven't solved the problem. I have now cut two holes in my bloody ceiling and taken the lights off of the socket ring and put it where it should have been, on the lighting one. Guess what, still bloody flickers when I plug something in. How the hell is it flickering when it's on a completely different loop to the sockets? Arrrrggghhhh

Hello there,
What is it you are plugging in, for example a vacuum draws a high startup current resulting in the lights dimming when you switch it on

 

[westward10]

Is it a constant flicker or as the previous post said just a drop when appliance is used.

 

[Steviecuk]

Hello there,
What is it you are plugging in, for example a vacuum draws a high startup current resulting in the lights dimming when you switch it on

Anything really. Laptop charger, TV, sky box, even a 1a 5v phone charger.

 

[Steviecuk]

Is it a constant flicker or as the previous post said just a drop when appliance is used.

It is only when something is plugged in or turned on. Sometimes I do get a random flick but thats probably because something has turned on somewhere on its own, like a timeswitch or heater.

 

[Pete999]

Anyone bothered to check the supply Voltage?

 

[Rpa07]

Change the dimmer type - check out the varilight range. It was mentioned when you first posted.

 

[Rpa07]

I did, last year, have flickering lights all over the house which turned out to be a supply phase gone funky. I only knew this because they cut power in the night to do their thing. No problems since!
That said - CHANGE YOUR DIMMER!

 

[Steviecuk]

Anyone bothered to check the supply Voltage?

Yes. Had the electricity grid out and 248v and all well apparently.

 

[Steviecuk]

Change the dimmer type - check out the varilight range. It was mentioned when you first posted.

I will I will. I just can't see why the dimmer would make them flicker when the supply voltage on the light ring is independent from the sockets. If they are on a completely different loop, how can they effect one another?

 

[telectrix]

it could be induced voltage from a cable close to the LED cables. a snubber may cure this.

 

[rolyberkin]

What make are the LED units, have you tried different GU10 LED's? Have you tried halogen GU10's in the circuit?

 

[rolyberkin]

Also you don't want to pay out for a new dimmer, put a normal switch on the circuit and see if it makes any difference.

 

[Rpa07]

@rolyberkin best idea yet!