Dimmable LED Ceiling lights buzzing and then shut off

[FFCForever]

Hi all,
We recently had our kitchen done but we have a problem with our Dimmable LED spotlights in the kitchen.

Sometimes, but not always, I hear a loud buzzing from the lights and then they shut off.

I have 10 of them, controlled by a dimmer switch on the wall of which ONE of these dimmers controls all 10.

The dimmer is rated as follows:-

And the LED bulbs are

Which I believe would put at 10 of them at 50W so not apparently an issue for this 100W rated dimmer.

I can get another dimmer, I was considering https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293114373376 perhaps.

However I'm wondering if I should return the switch as faulty or if I'm missing something here.

Can I get your wizened knowledge?

Thanks

 

[bernardgreen]

Each lamp has a driver module that controls the current through the LED elements in the lamp. The drivers will be using high frequency ( > 10kHz ) switching to control the current driven through the LED elements .

The drivers can interact with each other as they take power from the dimmer switch and this interaction can result in the drivers becoming unstable in the way they draw power from the dimmer switch, This then makes the dimmer's switching become un-stable and this un-stable operation produces buzzing. It can also cause overheating which will cause the dimmer switch to shut down.

It is a hit and miss situation when mixing LED lamps and dimmer switches.

 

[martygturner]

Those lamps have the transformer built in...a lamp transformer is dying

 

[FFCForever]

Thanks, can I ask what you would recommend here then?

Trying a different dimmer, replacing the switch etc?

 

[FFCForever]

Those lamps have the transformer built in...a lamp transformer is dying

Just missed this, should I try and find a particular faulty light then? They are all new for what it's worth.

 

[martygturner]

yes - we have had the same issue...they are wired in series so one is kitching off...look for the first one that flashes that's normally the culprit....and as for being new ...new from where according to the date stamp they were made in 04/20....

 

[FFCForever]

yes - we have had the same issue...they are wired in series so one is kitching off...look for the first one that flashes that's normally the culprit....and as for being new ...new from where according to the date stamp they were made in 04/20....

Fair shout, they were installed by our kitchen supplier. They do look unused though.

I’ll wait until next time I hear the buzzing, try to find the culprit and disconnect it with the lights on to see if the buzzing stops.

I haven’t seen any flickering at all though.

 

[FFCForever]

Many thanks for all the feedback here, however I don't feel any further forward in what step to take next.

It seems that there no 100% guarantee easy way to fix this as it could be either the bulbs or the dimmer at fault but I think we've ruled out wiring.

So, as above I can replace the bulbs (I'm thinking Philips CoreLED dimmables) or buy a new dimmer (One of these 0-120 W ones https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293114373376).

Or maybe I've missed something and you'd suggest something else?

Would sometime like to let me know their gut feeling here?

 

[flameport]

Replacing the dimmer with a decent one designed for LEDs would be the most obvious choice, and not buying it from ebay.

 

[FFCForever]

Replacing the dimmer with a decent one designed for LEDs would be the most obvious choice, and not buying it from ebay.

Any suggested makes to look out for?

 

[flameport]

Any suggested makes

Zano or Varilight.

 

[FFCForever]

Hi folks,
Just so you know, I switched out the dimmer for a Varilight v-pro MJP120 dimmer and it works!

No more buzzing (yet).