GU10 flashing when turned on, work if load added to circuit

steveKN · 2024-11-07T10:04:20+0000

A strange one in my kitchen.

3 sets of 2-way switched GU10 `Philips down lighters. ( no dimmers)

Have been fine for several years.

Last week the fan/light remote receiver, ( connected via a on/off wall switch, using live which also goes to lights, neutral permanently connected to lighting circuit) on the adjacent conservatory, died tripping the miniature circuit breaker on the lighting circuit.

Removed and waiting for replacement.

Now the 3 LED sets ( 2x2 and 1x4) strobe flash when turned on.

If I turn on another light (non GU10) or fan to produce a load on the live-neutral spur circuit to the kitchen or conservatory, the LED GUI0 work fine, (but no with a load on any other part of the shared downstairs lighting circuit.)

They will still stay on if I turn the extra load off, unless I turn another of the light LED circuits on, then they all flash again, until I add another load when they all come on and all remain on. ( even again with load turned off)

I've checked the 3 switch live connections at either end of the two-way switching, and they're fine.

Any other suggestions ? They all have a common neutral and are fed from the same live from the switches.?

Thanks Steve

brianmoooore · 2024-11-07T22:49:48+0000

The problem is being caused by capacitive leakage between the strappers of the 2W switches, giving rise to a voltage at the lamps which builds until the LEDs fire, discharging the voltage. Repeat.
The usual solution is to add 'snubber(s)', consisting of a resistor and capacitor in series.
Search eBay for "rc snubber".

steveKN · 2024-11-08T08:35:55+0000

brianmoooore said:
The problem is being caused by capacitive leakage between the strappers of the 2W switches, giving rise to a voltage at the lamps which builds until the LEDs fire, discharging the voltage. Repeat.
The usual solution is to add 'snubber(s)', consisting of a resistor and capacitor in series.
Search eBay for "rc snubber".

thank you, i can understand why the lights fiash when OFF but mine flash when turned ON and will nit fully light until an extra load is added to the circuit. would snubbers help in this circumstance ?

Avo Mk8 · 2024-11-08T18:46:33+0000

steveKN said:
thank you, i can understand why the lights fiash when OFF but mine flash when turned ON and will nit fully light until an extra load is added to the circuit. would snubbers help in this circumstance ?

I don't think snubbers would help here.
The lights are behaving as if there is a high(ish) resistance in series with them when they are on, but that resistance reduces when you turn on other things on the circuit. Could it be that the removal of the fan/light receiver has resulted in an unintended wiring change?
(Or an error in the original wiring that has only now become evident since the removal of the receiver!)