I have just begun using x10 and have a problem with 2 Electronic Compact Fluorescent Lamps. I have read all the articles and have used both 2 and 3 lead appliance plugs and have found the same problem in each case:

After turning the light off, it continues to dimmly flicker.

I tried the control circuit modification - In fact, I actually cut pin 7 off the IC ... no difference.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Fred

Are you sure you're using the APPLIANCE modules and not the LAMP modules?

The appliance modules use relays to switch the power so they shouldn't cause any flicker. The lamp modules use an electronic triac to control the power so the flickering is possible.

They are both 2 abd 3 wire appliance modules, complete with the loud click!

That's strange. The power is switched by a relay (click) so the power should be nice and clean to the bulb.

Even when the relay is off in an appliance module, there is still a complete circuit through the load and through a 2.2K resistor(in parallel with a .01uF cap) and a diode. This may allow enough current through the load to cause it to flicker.

Is there any kind of module that totally disconnects?

Hi there... I had the same problem you do with my CF lights. Since you mentioned that you've already opened the module up and cut one of the pins on the IC I assume you don't mind making modifications;) In that case, all you need to do is open the module back up and cut the lead on the diode in the picture here: (I have no idea if that's gonna be an active link... hopefully it is. If not... well... copy and paste, I guess;)

HTH,
Brett

This information is correct. In order to allow "local control", i.e. activating a module by cycling the load's switch off, then on, the current of the load is sensed by the module. Also, any module that is "in-line" has to flow a minute current through the load in order to have power in order to be switched on. You could try having the module control a relay that, in turn, controls the fluorescent. Otherwise, you'd need a wall-switch module that requires a neutral.

Larry

Brett and Larry,

I made the cut on the diode and it worked perfectly (I didn't even need the pin seven cut). One question ... does this cause any safety risk?

Thanks,
Fred

Larry... I don't believe it's a safety risk. I have 6 or 7 modules that I've modified in this manner that have been up and running for close to a year now with no problems. As I understand it, that diode is simply part of the circuit that provides the trickle current to allow the local control feature... cut the lead and the circuit is broken and there's no trickle current. Of course don't hold me to this;)

HTH,
Brett

No, cutting the diode does not eliminate the trickle current through the load, it simply prevents the controller from sensing this current.
There are schematics available, perhaps you should take a look at them.

Steve,

Why does cutting the diode stop the flickering? If it can't sense the current, does it pose a sfety risk?

>No, cutting the diode does not eliminate the trickle
>current through the load, it simply prevents the
>controller from sensing this current.

Steve, are you sure about this? It was my understanding that the trickle current is what caused the CF lights to flicker... there wasn't enough power there to start the lamp, but it kept trying to start.

Brett

It is the trickle current that causes the lamp to flicker, cutting the diode does no eliminate the trickle current through the load. There are schematics available, why wont anyone look at them?

"Why does cutting the diode stop the flickering? "

Fred, you stated in your first post that "I tried the control circuit modification - In fact, I actually cut pin 7 off the IC ... no difference"

which is it, does it flicker or not with the modification?