Flashing bulb

[Cackhanded]

The Bulb on my landing,a Phillips 16w fluorescent type (not the folded tube type,a bulb shape),is flashing very dimly every few seconds when in the off state, I noticed it just now when I got up for a wander (as you do!)
The light has been turned off for some 3 hours.
Any suggestions,a leak of some sort? No other light,including the hall light shows this behaviour.

eddie

(no more cheese before bed for me!)

 

[ninebob]

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=21025

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8681

 

[Steve]

cack, your bulb is still the folded tube type, its just enclosed in a glass/plastic cover.

Our does exactly the same. Something to do with capacitance between the 2-way switch wires. It happens when theres a long run of cable between the 2 switches - one of the wires is live, the other isn't, the cable acts like a capacitor.

You notice it with fluorescents because they flicker (spark across slightly) when the voltage is high enough, whereas tungsten lamps pass the current straight through without emitting any light.

 

[Cackhanded]

Thanks for the answer folks,understood. I was thinking of RF interference etc.!

Funny thing is, when the light has been left on for some time,as we do when going out in the evenings/work etc. The flashing is even more pronounced ( when turned off). Possibly because the gasses have been vaporised (?) making the bulb more sensative to capacative effects?

Bloody weird stuff this lektrick.

Eddie

 

[ebee]

Is it possible your Phase & neutral are transposed?
If so that`s a potentially dangerous fault.
Better check it

 

[Steve]

the bulbs still warm. this makes it easier to spark across? just a suggestion.