Re: LED Christmas lights

[Mike Barnes <mikebarnes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert Green <robert_green1963@xxxxxxxxx>:
>"Oliver Hardy" <oliver@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:q4obg5tpt6nu0vq3k42frsv2kqdorfu0ej@xxxxxxxxxx
>> I have hooked up a string of LED Christmas lights to an x10 appliance
>> module as a test. They turn on fine but when they turn on they are
>> still on, but very dim. Any reason why this should happen? I thought
>> Appliance modules mechanically cut the source power.
>
>Nope - appliance AND lamp modules trickle current through the string for
>"local sensing" (which allows the modules to turn on by jiggling a lamp's
>built-in switch) and that makes the phantom glow.  It's also the culprit
>behind the flashing (and relighting) of CFL bulbs that are run on appliance
>modules.
>
>There are various circuit mods (usually involving cutting a trace or a
>component lead in the module) you can try that are pretty simple but of
>varying effectiveness, or you can add a small tungsten string or nightlight
>bulb to the load.  This very often stops the phantom glow.

Or you can just live with it. There's no danger, and negligible cost,
involved.

--
Mike Barnes