Voltage leak through single pole switch
#1
07-20-15, 06:42 PM
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Voltage leak through single pole switch
I have a single pole switch that I've wired to run some incandescent rope light in my house. The rope light works normally with the switch but last night I noticed the rope light was glowing very, very dimly. At first I thought I was seeing things but I was able to confirm the lights are, in fact, on just a bit - barely noticeable when the room is dark.
I haven't torn into the wiring yet but thought I'd post here to get some other opinions. Maybe the switch is bad?
I haven't torn into the wiring yet but thought I'd post here to get some other opinions. Maybe the switch is bad?
#5
07-20-15, 07:18 PM
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No, the switch is not illuminated. It's just a standard wall switch (non-dimmable). The wires are attached using the screws, I don't trust the stab back connections.
It really has me scratching my head.
It really has me scratching my head.
#6
07-21-15, 05:25 AM
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Disconnect the switch and see if the lights are now out. If no..... then you have a wiring issue elsewhere.
#8
07-21-15, 08:28 PM
are you using LED rope lights? I have encountered this problem with LED light strings on some switched outlets, they use so little current that they will remain dimly lit when switched off, I even noticed one time during a power outage that a LED night light we had glowed dimly.
#9
07-21-15, 09:42 PM
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#10
07-22-15, 03:41 AM
I have this phenomenon occurring in my closet, but I know why. Lighted switch and CFL. The neon in the lighted switch allows just enough current through to cause the CFL to lightly flicker.
#11
07-22-15, 05:02 AM
Just curious, but we all have referenced the phantom voltages people get with high impedance digital meters. Well those voltages are there it is just that they are extremely limited in the power they can deliver. Use an analog meter and the small amount of load it represents drains those phantoms to zero.
I'm wondering of phantom voltages have enough power to cause an LED light to flicker. Instinct (in most cases) says "no", but I'm curious.
Bud
I'm wondering of phantom voltages have enough power to cause an LED light to flicker. Instinct (in most cases) says "no", but I'm curious.
Bud
#12
07-22-15, 06:26 AM
Certainly an LED could be seen in a dark room from an extremely low power source -- something on the order of 0.1 milliamps. It seems plausible that much power could be induced during the phantom phenomenon.
#13
07-22-15, 07:18 PM
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Thanks for all the replies guys. These rope lights are incandescent, not LED's.
I'm going to check out the switch this weekend and verify the neutral isn't being switched. If that's not the problem I'll disconnect the switch, verify the problem is solved, and then replace the switch with a new one. Hopefully that resolves the issue. I'll let you know what I find.
I'm going to check out the switch this weekend and verify the neutral isn't being switched. If that's not the problem I'll disconnect the switch, verify the problem is solved, and then replace the switch with a new one. Hopefully that resolves the issue. I'll let you know what I find.
#15
08-02-15, 07:16 AM
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Well, we have a winner. The neutral was being switched. I corrected the situation and all is well!
I've seen that happen before.
