Flickering CFL

[Vincenti]

Yesterday I changed a blown bulb with a new low energy lamp (CFL). When the new lamp was switched off, it flashed once after about 10 seconds, and again after another 10. This puzzled me so I unscrewed the rose and put my multimeter accross the terminals to the drop cord and saw 40v with the switch off. Testing accross live and earth = 0v but neutral and earth = 40v. I decided to try other light fittings in the house and get the same thing.

What could be causing this as its obviously not right?

Incidentally I have low energy lights throughout - a friend of mine mentioned that it could be some current leakage to neutral from some of the CFLs but not really sure what he meant.

Cheers

Vincenti

 

[Spark123]

2 way light?, this is a common problem caused by capacitive coupling.
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=52150&highlight=capacitive+coupling

 

[Vincenti]

Yep 2 way light - whats capacitive coupling and is it a problem??

Cheers

Vincenti

 

[Spark123]

Hi, I added a link to the above post with some info in.

 

[Vincenti]

Thanks Spark - would this explain the reading that I get on my meter also?

Vincenti

 

[Spark123]

Yeah, I take it you are using a digital multimeter? If you were to put a normal lamp in and measure the voltage across it then the reading should drop off to zero.

 

[Vincenti]

Spark - genius - changed for normal lamp and zero reading. Much obliged - put my mind at rest.

Vincenti

 

[Steve]

the phenomenon is not a problem - certainly the 19w lamp i fitted a while ago is showing no signs of deterioration, apart from the normal slight blackening of the ends of the tubes.