Re: CFLs flicker when Wall Swtich WS467 is OFF

[Charles Sullivan <cwsulliv@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:19:46 -0700, Gadgets wrote:

> On Mar 5, 4:43Â pm, "Jim Hewitt" <jim.hew...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> Howdy,
>>
>> I've been slowlyg trying CFLs in the house to see if they work OK wtih
>> our X10 installation. Â We've decided that the quality of light is
>> acceptable for the energy $ savings.
>>
>> But, when I put some (N:Vision from Home Depot) 60W CFLs in the kids'
>> room overehad light, controlled by a WS467, everything was fine until I
>> turned the lights off. Â They don't go fully off! Â We get a very low
>> light flicker, probably 5-10 times a second. Â I triple-checked, the
>> wall switch was not dimming the lights.
>>
>> Is this a result of the current sense (for local control)? Â If so,
>> would the standard mode for disabling current sense stop this?
>>
>> It is doubtful that the kids would sleep well with this annyong
>> flicker, but also likely that it would also damage the CFL electronics
>> eventually.
>>
>> Thank you for  any input.  Or for pointing me to a more appropriate
>> group.
>>
>> Jim
>
> Yup, disable the current sensing (local control) and the lights will
> stop flickering. Been there done that!  :-)

Not quite!  The WS467 is only a two-wire device.  To disable the current
which causes the CFL flickering would remove power from the WS467
circuitry and prevent it from being turned on remotely. (The WS467 does
not have "local sensing" as the term is generally understood for plug-in
lamp modules.)

The OP needs to replace the WS467 with a wall switch designed for
fluorescent lamps.  Note that these all require having a neutral wire in
the switchbox, and generally operate with a relay, so there will be an
audible click when they're turned on or off.