You've probably noticed that all energy-saving lamps and LEDs have a mysterious quality of glow or flicker even when not turned on. The question arises: “Why does the LED lamp glow after being turned off and how to deal with it?” The answer to this can be found anywhere, but there are several proven options that are almost always the cause of this problem:

  • Wiring problems.
  • Poor quality LEDs.
  • A lamp with a resistor that keeps the diodes glowing.

For example, LED lamps with E14 sockets use small light bulbs, which, by and large, should light up quickly and go out quickly. This is what happens, but they do not stop burning after turning off. Using this example, we can consider a case in which the LED itself may be the cause of such a glow.

The fact is that now the market is simply overflowing with this type of product, naturally, a large number of which are counterfeit, that is, of poor quality. If you come across such a lamp, this does not mean that it is bad, it only means that the LEDs may be installed incorrectly, which indicates an existing failure in the solder board, and this, of course, is a small problem.

If we consider E27 LED lamps, then we are talking about a larger amount of energy consumed, which means that more resources are needed to glow after switching off. If there is a problem with such devices, one very common option is possible, when the resistors themselves in the lamps illuminate the diodes.

When you turn on your lamp, current flows through it to the diodes, which must be converted in order for the LEDs to receive enough electricity to function properly. So, in this small resistor, the process of converting electricity takes place, which can accumulate in it, and after turning it off, gradually maintain the glow of the diodes.

But there may be another problem related to wiring and switches:

  • The electrical wiring system in your house is not installed entirely correctly and current is constantly circulating in the network.
  • LED lamps flicker due to a switch with the same diode, which constantly consumes energy, and because of this, incorrect current transmission occurs, which leads to the constant flickering of the lamp.
  • The switch in the LED lamp passes electricity, which is well proven in the case of lamps on the remote control.

Any presented on the market is simple, the main thing is to then handle it correctly and know the symptoms of any of its “diseases”. This will save you energy and won’t make you nervous after the first glow is turned off.

Do you know why LED lights stay on when the switch is off? Agree: problems in the functioning of the lighting system will not please anyone. Do you prefer to find the cause of the LEDs on your own without involving an electrician? However, you don’t know where the weak point is?

We will show you how to deal with a difficult problem. The article describes the most common situations that cause lamps to glow after they are turned off. Ways to solve the problem are considered, recommendations are given for choosing a reliable light source from a trusted manufacturer.

The measures we recommend will allow you to avoid a number of difficult situations during the further operation of such devices. The special design of LED lamps guarantees economical electricity consumption and a long service life.

In order to find out the reason for the device to glow after turning it off, you need to carefully examine the design of the LED device, and also find out the principle of its operation.

The design of such a lamp is quite complex; it consists of the following elements:

  • Chips (diodes). The main element of a lamp that produces a stream of light.
  • Printed aluminum board on a heat-conducting mass. This component is designed to remove excess heat to the radiator, thereby maintaining the temperature in the device that is necessary for the correct operation of the chips.
  • Radiator. A device to which heat energy removed from other components of the LED lamp is supplied. Typically this part is made of anodized aluminum alloy.
  • Base. A lamp base designed to connect to a lamp socket. As a rule, this element is made of brass, coated with a layer of nickel on top. The applied metal resists corrosion while promoting contact between the device and the socket.
  • Base. The lower part adjacent to the base is made of polymer. Thanks to this, the housing is protected from electric shock.
  • Driver. A unit that ensures stable, uninterrupted operation of the device even in the event of a sharp change in voltage drops in the electrical system. The operation of this unit is similar to a galvanically isolated modulator of an electric current stabilizer.
  • Diffuser. A glass hemisphere covering the top of the device. As the name suggests, the part is designed to maximize the dispersion of the light flux emitted by the diodes.

All components of the device are connected to each other, which ensures its reliable operation.

Operating principle of the equipment

Specific circuits of LED devices produced by different manufacturers may differ significantly from each other. However, they are all based on a general operating principle, which can be schematically depicted as follows.

Scheme of operation of an LED lamp. To create a greater p-n junction effect, semiconductors are used in structures, the surface of which is doped with various materials

A light switch with a backlight function does not allow the circuit to be completely broken, so the lamps will glow dimly for a long time. When this option is disabled, the system will warm up and the LED will go out.

In this case, the devices come into conflict: even a switched off switch cannot completely open the electrical circuit due to the backlight, which is powered through a resistance. Since the system remains open, a small voltage reaches the lamp, which causes a dim glow.

Similar problems can be caused when using other electrical devices: photocells, timers connected to lamps and lights.

How to solve this problem. Since such a defect with LED lamps that light up even when the switch is off is quite common, electrical specialists have accumulated a lot of experience in correcting the situation.

These may be the following options:

  • switch replacement;
  • turning off the backlight;
  • installation of an additional resistor;
  • replacing one of the lamps in the chandelier with a weaker analogue;
  • use of resistance with a high power rating.

The simplest way is to replace an illuminated switch with one without an additional function. However, such a solution is associated with additional monetary costs, as well as with reinstallation of the device.

The continued burning of the lamp after the switch is turned off may also be due to the use of a high-capacity capacitor in the device, where a charge remains sufficient for a weak glow

If the presence of backlighting on the switch is not important, you can simply use wire cutters to cut through the resistance that sets the power supply for it. Adding a shunt resistor will help turn off the LED while maintaining the backlight. A device with a resistance exceeding 50 kOhm and a power of 2-4 W can be purchased at a specialized store.

To connect it, you need to remove the lampshade from the lamp, and then attach the wires coming from the device to the terminal block with network conductors, which will allow you to connect parallel to the lamp.

In this case, the current passing through the LED will not flow through the driver capacitor, but through the newly connected node. As a result, reactance recharging will stop and the LEDs will go out when the switch is turned off.

To correct the operation of a multi-arm chandelier, it is enough to install one additional resistor. There is no need to connect such a part to each of the lamps

If a problem is identified in a multi-arm chandelier, you can install an incandescent lamp with a minimum power in one of the sections, which will collect all the current coming from the capacitor.

A similar solution can be applied to a single-arm chandelier by installing an adapter from one to two sockets. At the same time, when using this method, the weak glow of one bulb will still remain.

The desired result will also be achieved by replacing the usual resistance in the switch with its analogue with a large number of Ohms. However, to perform such a manipulation, you will need to consult an electrician.

Reason #2 - faulty electrical wiring

Quite often, the source of lamps that do not turn off is faulty wiring. If an insulation failure is suspected, high voltage should be applied to the device for several minutes to simulate the conditions that cause breakdowns in the electrical network.

To find the location of damage to a hidden cable, you can also use homemade or professional products designed for this purpose.

If the problem really lies in worn-out insulation, the electrical wiring in the apartment must be partially or completely replaced. With open cable routing, the process will take a minimum of time and effort. More difficult work awaits if hidden wiring was installed in the housing, walled up in the walls.

Poor insulation can cause problems with LED lighting. This factor often occurs when electrical wiring has been in use for a long time.

In this case, decorative finishing, such as wallpaper, as well as plaster, will have to be removed from vertical surfaces. After opening the groove where the wires are located, the entire cable or damaged section is replaced. Finally, it is necessary to seal the channels with plaster, and then plaster and refinish the walls.

An alternative temporary solution may be to connect a device to the network, for example, a resistor or relay, which provides additional load. Similar devices, the resistance of which is weaker than that of LEDs, are connected in parallel to luminous lamps.

In this case, the current is redirected, which is why the operation of LED devices is regulated: the light goes out immediately after the switch is turned off. The newly connected element will also not function due to low resistance.

Reason #3 - incorrect connection of the lamp

The reason for the continuous burning of the lamp may be hidden in connection errors. If, when installing the switch, a zero was connected instead of a phase, it will turn off when the circuit is opened.

At the same time, due to the retained phase, the wiring will still be energized, which is why the device will glow when the switch is turned off.

Russian products from the brand and Era have proven themselves well. LED lamps are produced in a large assortment. When choosing them, you should pay attention to both appearance and technical characteristics and operating conditions

So, when an electric current is applied, thermal energy can accumulate in the device, which is why the LED will remain on even after it is turned off, albeit for a short time. Companies combat this phenomenon by using resistors in the manufacture of equipment made from materials that prevent the accumulation of excess heat energy.

One of the important factors for the smooth operation of LED lamps is the choice of products of appropriate quality. In this case, one should take into account the features under which the devices will have to function, as well as their compatibility with other equipment connected to the power grid.

Before purchasing, it is recommended to carefully read the instructions supplied with the LED devices, which indicate the operating rules. It should be noted that a number of popular devices, such as timers, photovoltaic modules, can cause problems with the operation of LEDs.

It is also important to carefully examine the appearance of the light bulb, paying attention to the joint between the body and the base, which should be securely adjacent to the main part without any defects. If there are scratches, dents or sloppy seams, the likelihood of problems with the glow increases significantly.

There are also advanced LED lamp technologies, such as those using LED filaments. Although their cost is slightly higher, it is compensated by their long service life and excellent quality.

An element such as a radiator is important. It is best to choose an LED in which it is made of aluminum, but ceramic and graphite analogues also have high performance. The size of this part, which is responsible for the removal of thermal energy, the release of which can also occur when the light is turned off, is also important.

For a high-power LED to operate correctly, it is necessary to use a large radiator, while for a weak device a compact one will be sufficient.

As a rule, in specialized stores, sellers test turn on the lamp. In this case, you need to try to check the flicker level: the lighting device should emit an even luminous flux without any pulsation.

Since it is quite difficult to assess this factor with the naked eye, it is better to film the device turned on with a mobile phone video camera. The recording will allow you to better evaluate his work.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The video reveals the two most common reasons why LED lamps burn even after turning off the power. Detailed instructions for eliminating them are also provided:

The glow of the lamps when the switch is turned off is not only unpleasant for the eyes, but also sharply reduces the life of the LEDs. To eliminate the problem, you need to establish the cause that causes a malfunction in the functioning of the devices, and then eliminate it.

In most cases, correcting the situation will require a minimum of time and effort. You can do the necessary work yourself using basic tools.

Please leave comments in the block below. Share useful information that may be useful to site visitors. Ask questions, tell us about your personal experience in eliminating LEDs from collapsing after switching off, post photos related to the topic of the article.

Replaced the light bulbs in the chandelier with LED ones. But one of the bulbs lights up even when the switch is off. Replacing the bulbs with different ones did not help. What to do?

Today, LED lamps are one of the most popular light sources, as they are economical, last a long time and are fireproof. Why does the problem arise when the LED lamp glows when the switch is off? We will deal with this issue in this article, and also consider methods for eliminating the glow.

Such lamps operate at constant voltage and have a rectifier inside. LEDs produce light by applying an alternating voltage.
Before understanding the reasons why an LED lamp burns after turning off the power, you need to consider the principle of its operation and the features of the lamp.

The design of this type of lamp is more complex than its analogue with an incandescent filament. The principle of operation is based on the recombination of electrons and holes with transfer to another energy level, resulting in a glow that is a consequence of the release of photons.

These processes are facilitated by the use of certain LED semiconductor materials.

To understand why LED lamps light up when the lights are off, you need to look into its structure. The stores offer illuminators of different sizes and shapes. The internal structure is also different.

Probably everyone has noticed large differences in the price category of this product, from 100 rubles to a thousand. It is the features of the device that determine such a wide range.

To ensure acceptable lamp operating conditions, a current-limiting element is used. In simpler circuits, a resistor is used for this purpose.

Higher quality light sources operate on a different principle: the circuit is based on a diode bridge, which rectifies the mains voltage and supplies it to LEDs connected in series.

One of the main differences between modern lighting and conventional incandescent lighting is a constant supply of current; such circuits are called rectified.

    The LED lamp has the following components:
  • glass diffuser;
  • board with diodes attached to it;
  • radiator;
  • ballast with capacitor;
  • base

The capacitor, which converts and stores energy, is located on the driver. Then the current is supplied through the circuit to the board, from it to the chips and diodes. A high quality LED lamp has a slightly different operating principle.

The basis is a diode bridge; it supplies energy to the LEDs in a series connection. Such sources will not be disturbed by a dim glow after the switch is turned off.

Do not confuse an LED lamp with a fluorescent lamp. It is luminescent light emitters that are called energy-saving. Most often, they can be distinguished by their spiral-shaped flasks. They gradually gain light when turned on, and there are no problems with the glow when the switch is off.

Effect of a burning light bulb after switching off

For those for whom a slight night glow does not cause discomfort, another question arises: is it safe? And how does this affect energy consumption? There is no danger in the smoldering light. The lamp will not burst in the middle of the night or crack. Burnout is possible, but it is an extremely rare case.

The main disadvantage of LED bulbs glowing when the switch is off is the rapid depletion of the illuminator. The fact is that the circuit is designed for a certain number of starts and burning times. Therefore, after two months of almost continuous glow, the light bulb becomes unusable.

To ensure that the problem of light decay does not bother you in the future, you need to choose the right lighting fixtures and switches. First of all, you should focus on well-known and trusted manufacturers.

Pay attention to the proportionality of the power and the radiator of the light emitter. If the radiator is small, but the light output is quite powerful, then you should not buy one. Preference should be given to aluminum radiators. If the issue is not fundamental, then it is better to take the switch without backlight.

    What to do if the LED lamp is on? There are several reasons why, after turning off the lighting device, the LED lamp continues to burn, even dimly or weakly:
  1. poor-quality insulation in a section of the electrical circuit or any other electrical wiring malfunction;
  2. the switch to which the LED lamp is connected is backlit;
  3. low-quality emitters are used in the design of the lighting source;
  4. special functionality of the lighting element.

Is this glow dangerous? This problem does not pose any danger to the wiring, but the service life of LED bulbs will be noticeably reduced if they constantly flicker or glow dimly.

If the switching device is in the off position, and the emitter still glows and burns, then it is best to check the last three factors first. This is explained by the fact that it is very difficult to find weak insulation areas in electrical wiring.

In order to do this, it is necessary to create special conditions, as a result of which a high voltage is applied to the circuit for one minute to cause a breakdown.

The section of the circuit that causes the lighting element to glow after the switch is turned off will need to be opened. Moreover, if the electrical wiring was installed in a hidden way, then opening it will lead to damage to the integrity of the wall.

It is important to know! There are many situations where when LED light sources are connected to a backlit switch, they function differently.

This occurs due to the fact that the lighting element, which is installed in the switching device, closes the circuit and, accordingly, passes a small current. This is what charges and allows the light bulb to glow when the switch is off.

Another problem why an LED lamp glows in the dark is the low cost of the product. If you purchased a poor quality LED light bulb, this can also lead to a similar phenomenon.

This is due to the fact that there is some kind of error in the board. But it also happens that the emitter burns dimly due to the fact that it has its own peculiarity in the functioning of the structure.

We are talking about the processes that occur in capacitors when a load is applied to the lighting element. When electric current passes through the circuit, the capacitor stores energy, and then after the load is stopped, it continues to keep the elements glowing.

Reasons why a lamp burns when the lights are off

Often many people have a question - why does the lamp light up when the light is off?

    There can be many different reasons, but the most common are:
  • There are problems with the wiring.
  • The quality of the LEDs you are using is poor.
  • The glow of the diodes is maintained by a resistor (due to the accumulation of electricity in it, the diodes glow after turning off).

It often happens that this happens when the backlit switch is open. And if combustion is observed when the light is off, then accordingly a current flows through it, which immediately flows from the network to the backlight lamp (located in the switch), then to and again to the network. It is very small and does not affect the network load at all.

The current that flows through the backlight performs the function of charging the capacitor. When charging reaches the desired level, the circuit starts up and this causes a flash, after which you should expect it to turn off, and then this process begins again.

The downside of all this is that the lamp circuit inside is initially designed for a certain period of time, which is measured by the number of starts. It will work for about 1-2 months, and after that it will simply fail.

A similar situation will occur with weak blocks of LED strips; they also have a rectifier and a capacitor installed at the input. Therefore, a small current will flow through the backlit switch, due to which the capacitor will be recharged in time. Therefore, the tape lights up dimly in this mode, and there are also periodic blinks.

The most common reason for a lamp to glow after being turned off is backlit switches.

Inside such a switch there is an LED with a current-limiting resistor. The LED lamp glows dimly when the light is turned off, because even when the main contact is turned off, voltage continues to flow through them.

Why does an LED lamp burn at full heat and not at full power? Thanks to the limiting resistor, the current flowing through the electrical circuit is extremely insignificant and insufficient to light an incandescent electric lamp or ignite fluorescent lamps.

The power consumption of LEDs is tens of times lower than the same parameters of an ordinary incandescent lamp. But even a small current flowing through the backlight diode is sufficient for the LEDs in the lamp to glow weakly.

There can be two lighting options. Either the LED lamp lights up continuously after turning off, which means that sufficient current flows through the LED backlight of the switch, or the light flashes periodically.

This usually happens if the current flowing through the circuit is too small to cause a constant glow, but it recharges the smoothing capacitor in the power supply circuit.

When sufficient voltage gradually accumulates on the capacitor, the stabilizer chip is triggered and the lamp flashes for a moment. Such blinking must be definitely combated, no matter where the lamp is located.

In this operating mode, the lifespan of the power board components will be significantly reduced, since even the microcircuit does not have an infinite number of operation cycles. There are several ways to eliminate the situation when the LED light is on when the switch is off.

The simplest is to remove it from the backlight switch. To do this, we disassemble the housing and unscrew or bite off with wire cutters the wire going to the resistor and LED. You can replace the switch with another one, but without such a useful function.

Another option would be to solder a shunt resistor in parallel with the lamp. According to the parameters, it should be designed for 2-4 W and have a resistance of no more than 50 kOhm. Then the current will flow through it, and not through the power driver of the lamp itself.

You can purchase such a resistor at any radio store. Installing the resistor is not difficult. It is enough to remove the lampshade and fix the resistance legs in the terminal block for connecting the network wires.

If you are not particularly friendly with electricians and are afraid to “interfere” with the wiring yourself, another way to “fight” backlit switches can be to install a regular incandescent lamp in the chandelier. When turned off, its spiral will act as a shunt resistor. But this method is only possible if the chandelier has several sockets.

Problems with electrical wiring

Why does the LED lamp glow after being turned off even if the backlit button is not used?

Perhaps, when installing the electrical wiring, an error was initially made and zero is supplied to the switch instead of a phase, then after the switch is turned off, the wiring still remains “under phase”.

This current situation must be eliminated immediately, since even with a scheduled replacement of the lamp, you can receive a sensitive electric shock. Any minimal contact with ground in this situation will cause the LEDs to glow dimly.

The reason for the continuous burning of the lamp may be hidden in errors. If, when installing the switch, a zero was connected instead of a phase, it will turn off when the circuit is opened. At the same time, due to the retained phase, the wiring will still be energized, which is why the device will glow when the switch is turned off.

It's wrong to do that! Diagram of incorrect connection to the lamp switch on the neutral wire. Violation of polarity during installation causes a constant supply of current, which leads to the glow of LED devices even when the switch is turned off

This situation is quite dangerous for the inhabitants of the apartment: since the device is energized, even if it is turned off, you can accidentally receive an electric shock. To correct the situation, you need to turn off the power supply, then disconnect the wires, and then mount them in the correct way.

Low quality light bulb

Quite often the cause of the malfunction is the poor quality of the LED used, which must be replaced with a working one. However, persistence of glow can also be observed in devices manufactured by reputable manufacturers.

It may be caused by functional features in the operation of lamp resistors. So, when an electric current is applied, thermal energy can accumulate in the device, which is why the LED will remain on even after it is turned off, albeit for a short time.

Companies combat this phenomenon by using resistors in the manufacture of equipment made from materials that prevent the accumulation of excess heat energy.

How to fix the problem

If the LED lamp lights up when the light is off, how to fix it? There are different solutions. It all depends on the nature of the problem itself.

    For example:
  1. A cheap, low-quality LED lamp always glows in the dark after it is turned off. To eliminate this problem, it is necessary to replace it with quality products from a trusted manufacturer.
  2. If the lighting element is on because an illuminated switch is used, then this problem can be solved in different ways.
  3. For example, the easiest way out is to change the switch in the house to a regular one, without backlighting. You can simply cut off the specific wire that powers the backlight. This can be done after opening the switching device. But there is another way out - to preserve this function, it is enough to place a resistor in parallel on a certain section of the electrical circuit.
  4. If the LED light is on and the reason is in the wiring, then it will be extremely difficult to solve such a problem. To eliminate it, you need to find the location of the current leak. But this may entail certain difficulties. But when the light turns off, the bulbs will not light up.

A variety of methods can solve the problem of the glow of emitters with diodes so that they do not glow at full intensity when the switch is turned off. The main thing is to understand the root cause of the problem. We hope you now understand why the LED lamp glows after turning off and what to do to correct the situation!

Removing the backlight will be the easiest and fastest solution to this problem. To do this, it is necessary to disconnect the wires from which the backlight is powered, after first opening the switch cover.

Alternatively, you can also cut off this wire, but first be sure to find out where the power wire is so as not to get confused.

  • Having done this, no current will flow to the charging capacitor, after which the lamp will no longer glow dimly or blink;
  • If you want to avoid this problem, then before purchasing a switch, pay attention to the presence or absence of backlighting. If it is not there, then the main problem will not appear;
  • A good option would be to connect a regular lamp in parallel; using this option will prevent the energy-saving light source from burning when turned off. This is achieved due to the fact that the current to recharge the capacitor goes to the filament;
  • There are switches that have mandatory backlighting needed for some purpose. What to do in this case, and what actions to take?

A good solution to eliminate this problem would be to connect a resistor in parallel, which will help create additional resistance in the desired section of the electrical circuit. The main advantage of this method is its cheap price; you can purchase a resistor in absolutely any radio equipment store.

It is worth noting that the resistor will not negatively affect the normal operation of the LEDs. But when the switch is turned off, the backlight will work, and accordingly the resistor will consume current, which goes to charge the capacitor. Also don't forget to insulate the resistor, the best way to do this is to use heat shrink tubing.

If you are planning to buy LEDs, then remember that reliable manufacturers will always indicate instructions on the packaging that will help you understand the correct principle of their use.

Usually, it is indicated that use is undesirable in conjunction with such devices as backlit key switches, photocells, brightness controls, timers, etc., they will interfere with their operation in normal mode.

It may also be that you simply cannot choose quality products. There are a lot of fakes on the market that are very difficult to distinguish. And if you have already come across a product that lights up after being turned off, then the reason for this may well be that the LEDs are simply installed incorrectly.

The main advice is to pay attention to lighting products from reliable and trusted manufacturers. It is important to remember that high-quality diode light sources cannot be cheap.

This will avoid a number of problems, the most common of which are dim light when the load is off and short service life.

Effective lighting, among other things, is also based on the compliance of the basic parameters of the light bulb with the conditions in which it will work. When choosing, the power of the product, luminous flux, color rendering index, and luminous angle are taken into account.

If the light source lights up when the load is off due to rather poor quality, then when choosing a new product, its dimensions should be taken into account. In particular, we are talking about the size of the radiator.

This is an auxiliary design element that facilitates more efficient heat removal from the light source. Before purchasing, you need to pay attention to the correspondence between the dimensions of the radiator and the power of the lamp. If the product is characterized by a small cooler with significant power, then this design option is not worth taking.

The most reliable radiators are made of graphite, ceramics, and aluminum. Moreover, it is important that this element is not type-set.

You also need to pay attention to the quality of the connection between the base and the lamp body. It is important that there are no nicks along the edge of the holder and, in general, it should be characterized by a complete absence of play. Another key point is the level of light pulsation. High-quality lighting elements emit a uniform glow.

The difficulty of checking a lamp for light quality is that the pulsations are invisible to the eye. But craftsmen have come up with a way to solve this problem: you need to use the turned on camera of a mobile phone or camera. The pulsations will be visible because the image will begin to blink.

Thus, if the lighting system immediately after installation produces a weak glow from diode-based lamps, it is recommended to check the circuit, switch and other factors.

The fact is that when, when the load is turned off, the lighting elements still light up, albeit dimly, this may indicate problems with the wiring, which is already quite serious. To accurately determine the cause, all possible factors must be considered.

At the very beginning of the 21st century, fluorescent or, as they are also called, energy-saving lamps in a compact arc-shaped or spiral design appeared on store shelves in our country. Some acquired these lamps a little earlier, having the opportunity to be on business trips abroad or vacations in European countries, some a little later. But everyone who purchased them bought them for one single purpose - to save on electricity. And this really worked out and bills came in for noticeably smaller amounts, accordingly the demand for these lamps grew and over time the assortment expanded to satisfy the most demanding consumer, but...

Technologies do not stand still and as one technology develops, another begins to develop, and sometimes it happens that these technologies come into conflict with each other.

With the development of energy-saving lamps, the range of switches has also developed; now there are quite a lot of them. These include one, two or three keypads, backlit, dimmer switches, pass-through switches and the like.

In our case, we will talk about backlit switches, because... They are very widespread and in many apartments they are already installed or are planned to be installed.

When installing a backlit switch, you need to keep in mind that installed LED or fluorescent lamps that will be powered by this switch will conflict with it. This conflict is expressed by the fact that when the switch is turned off, the lamp will light or, in the case of fluorescent lamps, blink, Therefore, you need to make a decision about whether you really need an illuminated switch or not. Just a couple of years ago, most electricians did not even know about this problem.

This happens because when the switch is in the off position, the electrical circuit does not completely open due to the backlight powered through a resistance. Since the circuit is not open, a small voltage is supplied to the lamp, and this voltage is enough to light the lamp at about 5% power. That is, when turned off, the lamp will operate in night light mode. In cases with fluorescent lamps, the lamp flickers subtly at different frequencies. Here the situation is such that the capacitors that are installed in the lamp soft starter accumulate the energy coming from the open switch and, when the full capacity is reached, this energy splashes out, which visually looks like blinking. In both cases, the service life of the lamp is not reduced. There are also times when everything works perfectly and nothing lights up or blinks anywhere. And it happens that, for example, everything works fine for a year, and then it starts to flash and light up. It all depends on the resistance in the switch and in the internal component of the lamp.

Ways to solve the problem

If you have already installed backlit switches and bought expensive LED lamps and were disappointed in advance that they could have sold you a defective product, know that this is not the case. The problem can be solved in several ways, which our specialists have tested in practice:

    If you have a multi-arm chandelier, then you can remove the blinking or backlighting effect by installing the lowest-power incandescent lamp in one of the arms. It will collect all the current passed through the backlight. This can also be applied if you have ceiling lights installed. Even if you have one horn for one lamp in the room, the problem can be solved with the help of an adapter from one socket to two;

    Directly in the switch, use wire cutters to cut through the resistance of the power supply to the switch illumination. That is, turn a backlit switch into a switch without backlight. Of course, this method can be used only by de-energizing everything in advance;

    Replace the resistance in the switch with a resistance with a higher ohm. In this case, detailed consultation with an electrician and, accordingly, his participation in the replacement are required.

So if you bought LED lamps, and they glow when turned off, know that the solution to this problem is not so difficult and, in the first two cases, not very expensive.

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LED and energy-saving lamps installed in lamps and chandeliers often glow even when turned off, which is especially noticeable in the evening. What could be the cause of this phenomenon?

Flashing LED lamps not only irritate residents of the house, but also quickly break down. In order to find out why they do not turn off completely, you should carefully consider the features of their design.

As a rule, these devices operate from a constant power source. Alternating voltage is supplied through a special rectifier to the circuit to which a capacitor is connected, which is necessary to smooth out the ripples of the rectified current. It is because of this that light bulbs can glow in the dark. When the device is turned off, current may appear on the capacitor for various reasons.

Factors affecting the flickering of devices

Incorrect electrical wiring. E27 LED lamps and other brands of fixtures may flicker if the wiring is incorrect. In order for the devices to stop lighting after switching off, it is recommended to change the phase with zero in the apartment panel. Another reason for flickering lamps may be an outdated TN-C grounding system, which does not provide a protective shutdown device in case of current leakage.

Low quality devices. The glow of lamps in the dark may also be due to the poor quality of their manufacture. In order not to encounter such a problem, it is recommended to purchase products from well-known manufacturers.

Illuminated switch

For what other reasons can e14 LED lamps and other similar models flicker? Currently, switches with LED backlighting are widespread, indicating their location in the dark. Despite the fact that this solution is very convenient, it should be borne in mind that it is precisely such devices that can cause energy-saving lamps to flicker. In addition, their operation can be influenced by a variety of motion sensors, brightness controls, timers and other similar devices.

Why is this happening? The moment the switch contacts turn on, voltage begins to flow directly to the lamp, and when they open, current flows through the LED. Despite the fact that its value is small, it is quite capable of recharging the capacitor, which turns on the energy-saving device. Regular flickering of the lamp causes it to turn yellow and its service life is significantly reduced.

What can be done in such cases? If the switch has an LED backlight, it is recommended to simply turn it off, as a result of which the contacts will be open and the current will not be able to get into the capacitor. To do this, you need to open the cover of the device and cut the wiring.

Another option is to replace one of the energy-saving devices with an incandescent lamp; in this case, the current will not charge the capacitor, since it will go to heat the filament. You can also double the resistance of the LEDs in the power circuit; in most cases, this helps eliminate the glow of the devices.

This problem can also be solved using a resistor connected in parallel with the energy-saving lamp. It should have a resistance of 50 kOhm and a power of 2 W. This device does not affect the operation of the lamps in any way, but the moment the switch is turned off, it begins to consume current, which charges the capacitor. Please note that for safety reasons, this device must be insulated using a special heat-shrinkable tube.