LED lightbulb has begun to not work properly

thor · 8 March 2018 at 2:15PM

I have a normal ceiling LED bulb which has been working fine for over a year until yesterday. Now it refuses to turn off. When I switch it off, the bulb just flickers. When it is on it behaves perfectly emitting the correct amount of light with no flicker.
Suspecting the bulb, I replaced it with another led bulb but that exhibited the same behavior, it too just flickers when I try to turn it off. Next I tried an old fashioned Incandescent bulb and found that it works as it should do and so have left it in.
So I was hoping someone might have ideas about what the problem could be. I don't have a dimmer switch so I can rule out the LED incompatibly issues(especially as it has been working properly for over a year). Could it be that the switch itself might be faulty and that LED bulbs are more sensitive to it than incandescent bulbs?

Aylesbury_Duck · 8 March 2018 at 2:35PM

It does sound as if there's something amiss with the wiring, fitting or switch, causing a small amount of current to pass when the switch is off. Just enough to power an LED but not enough for a traditional bulb?

missile · 8 March 2018 at 2:36PM

It is the switch or possibly defective wiring. If the switch were working correctly there would be no power getting to the bulb.

thor · 9 March 2018 at 2:33AM

Maybe it is the switch as it is a moving part which I suppose could become defective. I've had a look at the cabling and it looks sound so I'll probably buy a replacement and see how that goes.

Aylesbury_Duck · 9 March 2018 at 10:05AM

Whilst you've got the power off to replace the switch, take the opportunity to inspect the fitting and its connections. Over time and through heat, fittings can become brittle, as can old wiring. You might have a loose connection or a bridge between two wires that have partially lost their insulation. Something is completing the circuit intermittently.

shaun_from_Africa · 9 March 2018 at 12:40PM

If/when you check the switch and wiring, it would be a good idea to turn off all the power in your house and not just the lighting circuit.

If there is damaged wiring somewhere and the cables to the light fitting are picking up power from elsewhere, you could possibly still get a shock despite the lighting circuit being made safe.

missile · 9 March 2018 at 4:37PM

thor wrote: »

Maybe it is the switch as it is a moving part which I suppose could become defective. I've had a look at the cabling and it looks sound so I'll probably buy a replacement and see how that goes.

Maybe you can use your hammer? :rotfl:.

brightontraveller · 9 March 2018 at 5:14PM

thor wrote: »

I have a normal ceiling LED bulb which has been working fine for over a year until yesterday. Now it refuses to turn off. When I switch it off, the bulb just flickers. When it is on it behaves perfectly emitting the correct amount of light with no flicker.
Suspecting the bulb, I replaced it with another led bulb but that exhibited the same behavior, it too just flickers when I try to turn it off. Next I tried an old fashioned Incandescent bulb and found that it works as it should do and so have left it in.
So I was hoping someone might have ideas about what the problem could be. I don't have a dimmer switch so I can rule out the LED incompatibly issues(especially as it has been working properly for over a year). Could it be that the switch itself might be faulty and that LED bulbs are more sensitive to it than incandescent bulbs?

I'd go with"final circuit cable capacitance";
(more common in two way and intermediate switching) LED"s require very little current to drive the lamp hence glow, flicker etc Some remedies add a snubber (100% works) , change all or some of the lamps for different make, (50% of the time will rectify ) replace switching (50% of the time will rectify )for different make, add GLS filament lamp to the circuit, Very much doubt its wiring etc

Risteard · 9 March 2018 at 6:25PM

brightontraveller wrote: »

I'd go with"final circuit cable capacitance";
(more common in two way and intermediate switching) LED"s require very little current to drive the lamp hence glow, flicker etc Some remedies add a snubber (100% works) , change all or some of the lamps for different make, (50% of the time will rectify ) replace switching (50% of the time will rectify )for different make, add GLS filament lamp to the circuit, Very much doubt its wiring etc

I would agree with that analysis.

Keep_pedalling · 9 March 2018 at 8:07PM

brightontraveller wrote: »

I'd go with"final circuit cable capacitance";
(more common in two way and intermediate switching) LED"s require very little current to drive the lamp hence glow, flicker etc Some remedies add a snubber (100% works) , change all or some of the lamps for different make, (50% of the time will rectify ) replace switching (50% of the time will rectify )for different make, add GLS filament lamp to the circuit, Very much doubt its wiring etc

If that was the problem I would have thought the issue would occur from day one not start over a year after fitting the first led bulb

brightontraveller · 9 March 2018 at 8:57PM

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

If that was the problem I would have thought the issue would occur from day one not start over a year after fitting the first led bulb

The answer is really if you understand why, causes etc for a more in depth technical answer etc just google it...

If you lack the knowledge certainly your thought would seam logical, As you don't need to know electrical properties, characteristics of components etc to install them its only really if something is wrong or seams so it can it be handy...

LED lightbulb has begun to not work properly

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