Strange occurrence

[JBR]

We have two bedside lamps which are the 'touch activated' type.

Yesterday, I went into the bedroom to find both lamps turned on the lowest (of three) brightness settings. This has never happened before and, needless to say, I hadn't turned them on.

Is it possible for some change in voltage somewhere else in the house to trigger this sort of thing? They are plugged into a 13A power socket, incidentally.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

This often happens if there has been power-loss, so if there had been a duration where the circuit had been de-energised, maybe a power cut your are unaware/aware of. This will happen

 

[Lectrician]

They are also known to be susceptible to RFI. A dodgy microwave or a fridge firing up could cause them to operate, or a sticky room thermostat operating for example.

 

[JBR]

Thanks for the advice.

I didn't notice any power loss (I was in) unless it happened for a fraction of a second. The second suggestion is possible, of course, although we have had these for a couple of years and it hasn't happened before.

What's RFI? It sounds scary!

 

[Colin Brenton]

RFI? Radio frequency interference. The way that operating a light switch will make an AM radio crackle, or a mobile phone will interfere with TV sound. Nothing to worry about from a safety point of view.

 

[JBR]

Ah, thank you.

So these lamps are susceptible to such things as power loss and RFI. Sounds interesting.

I do find electrickery very interesting, although I'm afraid I know nothing!

A long time ago, when I was in the RAF, I 'obtained' an old oscilloscope and experimented. I found that on one particular setting I could disrupt the guy next door's music player. I don't know how it worked, but it was fun especially when he had it on too loud!