Why would there still be current present when the circuit is off?

[Gavthesparky]

A valued customer has replaced all his Halogen GU10's with LED replacement lamps. For some reason three lamps on one switched circuit remain on but very dim when the switch is off. This room is switched from 3 points and depending on which switch turns off the lamps this has an effect on the amount of light produced in the off position.

I hope this makes sense.

Things I have tried already.
Replaced the switches.
Checked to see if there is a borrowed neutral.
Tried other lamps. It is fine with halogens but I imagine the current is only slight so you cant see any difference.
Turned off other circuits to see if there proximity had any effect.

 

[telectrix]

now i just found out why T/E cable has a cpc in it .LOL. :smart:

 

[Knobhead]

tony, might be a brain fart on my part, but , referring to your excellent diagram, could a "drain" resistor be incorporated between the N and L1 of the switch?

You could do but it wouldn't do much. When turned off both ends are conected to neutral.

 

[telectrix]

in see it now, can only put it down to being far before beer o'clock and brain not yet been stimulated by shepherd neame.

 

[Silly Sausage]

This is even more unconventional but again it would work.

View attachment 12821

Like your thinking Tony, but what about a 2-way cct?

 

[telectrix]

Like your thinking Tony, but what about a 2-way cct?

if anyone can come up with a solution to that, tony will. i'm not even going to try. LOL.

 

[Knobhead]

Like your thinking Tony, but what about a 2-way cct?

Trust you!

I'm going for a couple of beers to think about it.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Haha...that's this weekend's challenge sorted!
Think I'll join you chaps on the alcohol front.

 

[telectrix]

mission impossible. ( the electrical solution, that is, not the beer )

 

[Knobhead]

mission impossible. ( the electrical solution, that is, not the beer )

Is that a chalenge? To be honest I don't hold out a lot of hope, but I'm going to give it a try.

 

[telectrix]

well, i think it's impossible without using a discharging resistor. can't see anywherre on a 2way switching arrangement that you could deck to N or E without tripping OCPD.

 

[Knobhead]

Am I allowed to use a relay?

 

[telectrix]

only if it's 110volt coil. LOL. sorry, strike that. if you can do it with a relay, tony, i'd be very interested to see how.

 

[Des 56]

I have been trying to wangle some sort of circuit using mechanically linked 2 ways and all sorts and had no joy

Without using relays there is one method ( cheating of course) that will give the discharge
I reckon,a straight one to one transformer will do the job

 

[Knobhead]

Here you go

View attachment 12824

 

[Silly Sausage]

Struth, slow down! It'll take me an hour or so to work that one out.
Ideally with only standard switches off the shelf, ie no energy consuming components.
If only I wasn't so skint...