Dimmer switch dimming LED can lights unintentionally?


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Old 12-07-16, 06:33 AM
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Dimmer switch dimming LED can lights unintentionally?

I've installed some Commercial Electric cans and used the same brand LED bulbs that are compatible with these cans. I also purchased a dimmer that the packaging on the LED's claim to be compatible with. My issue is that with the dimmer installed the LED lights will dim to about 80% for 5 seconds and then go back to 100% for 2 minutes and then repeat that cycle. Occasionally the lights will not dim for quite a while for some reason.

The rest of the lights in the house are not dimming, so I know it's not a whole house issue. These lights are part of a MWBC if that makes a difference. When hardwired directly, they do not dim. Is it just a defective dimmer switch or possibly not compatible even though it claims otherwise?
 
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Old 12-07-16, 06:43 AM
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Dimmers are a crap shoot. You might have to try two or three different brands. Sometimes the easier solution is using one incandescent bulb.
 
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Old 12-07-16, 06:51 AM
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Is this something that sounds like an incompatibility issue or a defect in the dimmer switch?
 
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Old 12-07-16, 11:35 AM
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Sounds like a defective dimming control to me. I'd try a namebrand dimmer rather than the store brand.
 
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Old 12-07-16, 11:44 AM
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It's a Lutron dimmer, what brand would you recommend?
 
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Old 12-07-16, 04:24 PM
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This sounds to me like a defective dimmer, or a wiring problem. It doesn't sound like a compatibility issue.
Even a dimmer with compatibility issues will dim the lights, just not down to an acceptable level such as 5 or 10%.
Be careful with the MWBC. Is this the location where the split occurs?
Is there a 3-conductor cable in the box, black - red - white?
 
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Old 12-07-16, 06:55 PM
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The MWBC has it's own junction box. I'm pretty confident that it's an issue with the dimmer since when I hard wire the lights this dimming issue is not present. I suppose wiring the light switch incorrectly is a slight possibility, but I can't imagine the lights would be working at all if that were the case.
 
 

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