led gu10 glowing.... normal?

elstimpo

edthedead wrote: »

Hello,

I have replaced our 4 gu10 bulbs with new led one but noticed that they seem to glow very faintly when switched off, is this normal, or do I need a new switch?

This can and will happen. All LED power supplies take far less current than the incandescent lamps they are replacing and the ones built into the LED themselves as in the case of GU10 units, are so sensitive that they partially operate on very small amounts of electrical current. The effect is more noticeable especially on hall/landing circuits where you have a 2 way switch system, top and bottom of stairs for instance, where there is cross coupling and induction from one wire to the other in the 3 way cable coupling the switches together.

The induced current is enough to charge up the power unit in the lamp and cause it to partially operate and glow dimly or may even cause the lamp to flash on and off at periodic intervals; it all depends on the type of LED lamp, some manufactured units are more sensitive/susceptible, how many you have wired in circuit, how long the cable is, etc.

If it is not a 2 way switch system it may be worth having the electrical system checked for correct continuity of the live and neutral feeds and possible insulation damage.

This is why you are warned to be careful when changing bulbs and do not rely on the switch being turned off, the socket may still be live.

oh and a 4w LED Bulb is not high power

Hope that helps

edthedead

Well, had the switch front off and all appears well! Guess it must be capacitance... Not wanting to hack the plaster off and re route the cables.... Should it be ok left as it is?

ziggyman99

edthedead wrote: »

Well, had the switch front off and all appears well! Guess it must be capacitance... Not wanting to hack the plaster off and re route the cables.... Should it be ok left as it is?

It's a very common effect with low power lighting on 2way and intermediate switching circuits. It can be cured with ferrite beads placed over the wires but it's not really worth it. It's safe to leave.

edthedead

Thanks for all your replies... It sounds like it is just a result of the new lamps!