Re: X10 and LED lights

[Art Todesco <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx>]

I'm running 70 multicolor LEDs on a
Smarthome module.  I have local control
defeated, a programable option.  Even
with them off, there is a very
faint glow from some of the LEDs, mostly
the blues.  I understand the
blues are set for the highest current in
the string.  I don't think this is a safety
issue, but I'm not really sure.  BTW, on
some x10 modules, they glowed
much brighter.  Also, some of the
modifications to defeat local control only
defeat local control, but still leave
the sensing current going through the
lamp or appliance.

Jim Baber wrote:
> In the interest of power conservation, I used 3 strings of multicolored
> LED light bulbs in my christmas tree this year.  I also used the same
> AM486 2 pin Appliance Module to turn these tree lights ON and OFF as I
> have in the past. I can hear the relay energizing and deenergising when
> the module switched from ON to OFF or from OFF to ON.
>
> But, lo and behold, while they turn ON just fine, they only turn "sorta"
> OFF, still having a faint glow that is noticeable at the daytime indoor
> light level.  They are considerably dimmer but not OFF.  My concern is
> not so much power consumption, but safety. These are on a good
> artificial tree (Non metallic), but is there a hazard in using the
> appliance module to turn these lights "OFF" (sorta)?
>
> Interestingly enough, the lights are UL Listed but do not indicate a
> wattage or amperage just showing the 120 V AC rating  with a claim to
> use 80% less power than a standard incandescent light string.
> I am aware that X10 modules do some funny things to test the ON/OFF
> status conditions of their loads and I wonder if this testing could be
> of sufficient power to drive the diodes to emit some light.  There are
> 105 actual LED bulbs in a series parallel array.