Plug In Time Switch

[satnav10000]

I have just purchased a plug in time switch a Masterplug Tes7 to act as a security device by switching on/off a couple of table lamps when I am not at home.

In the safety warnings given in the instruction leaflet it states " do not use with energy saving bulbs " so looks like I will have to return it, you would think in this day and age when all the time you are being told to save energy that it could control modern bulbs safely.

 

[eveares]

Maybe it has a minimum load that it can handle what is higher than most energy saving bulbs. Other than that I can not see why a low resistive load would present a problem, but then again I am no expert. You are right in that the manual states the following: "Do not use with energy saving bulbs." The maximum load specified is; 10(1)A 2400 Watts.

 

[JohnW2]

In the safety warnings given in the instruction leaflet it states " do not use with energy saving bulbs " so looks like I will have to return it, you would think in this day and age when all the time you are being told to save energy that it could control modern bulbs safely.

It does, indeed, say that. I seriously doubt that it would be unsafe with energy saving bulbs, but it is anyone's guess as to whether it would work satisfactorily (for example, the bulbs might flash/flicker, even when they're meant to be 'off', or perhaps when they are meant to be 'on').

Your best bet would probably be to get a traditional electromechanical (rather than electronic) plug-in timer, since that ought to eb able to switch anything without problems.

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

The TE7 does not have the same "safety" requirements as the TES 7 timer. And since both are plugged into a13 amp socket the requirement for a Neutral via the load is not there.

Maybe internal contact suppression across the contacts will leak enough current in the OFF state that an energy eficient lamp will light dimly or flash.

 

[JohnW2]

Maybe internal contact suppression across the contacts will leak enough current in the OFF state that an energy eficient lamp will light dimly or flash.

Indeed - that's what I was implying in what I wrote.

Kind Regards, John

 

[satnav10000]

I have now called the helpline number given on the instructions, and they confirmed that low energy bulbs can damage the timer and cause failure of it.
Taking it back for a refund today, thank you all for your comments.

 

[eveares]

they confirmed that low energy bulbs can damage the timer and cause failure of it

That's surprising, especially in this day of age from a reputable brand. Does that mean other very low energy devices are also unsuitable for use with it?

 

[JohnW2]

I have now called the helpline number given on the instructions, and they confirmed that low energy bulbs can damage the timer and cause failure of it.

It's pretty hard to see how that could be true - but, as discussed, it's quite possible that it would not work satisfactorily with low energy bulbs. Either way, you clearly need to 'take it back'!

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

Some low energy bulbs take a surge of current when the power is applied due to the charging of the capacitor in the power control electronics. That surge could be seen as potentially damaging to any contacts in the timer. But an incandescent lamp also takes a surge of current until the filament has reached white hot temperature. Incandescent lamps I am working with at the moment take just over an amp when cold and 0.15 amps when white hot.

 

[JohnW2]

Some low energy bulbs take a surge of current when the power is applied due to the charging of the capacitor in the power control electronics. That surge could be seen as potentially damaging to any contacts in the timer.

Theoretically, I suppose, what what about 'the numbers'? Do you seriously believe that such a 'surge current' when switching on a low energy bulb of 'a few watts' could damage contacts (assuming there are some) rated to switch 10A ?!!

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

Some cheap " CE " marked lamps had the mains into a bridge rectifier and the DC into a capacitor. No current limiting so close to a dead short at power up.

 

[JohnW2]

Some cheap " CE " marked lamps had the mains into a bridge rectifier and the DC into a capacitor. No current limiting so close to a dead short at power up.

I'm not actually sure that even a genuine CE marking would necessarily preclude such an arrangement. However, if that's what the manufacturers of the timeswitch were thinking about, then surely their 'prohibition' would have had to be much wider than just "low energy bulbs", since SMPSUs (some of which may be 'cheap and nasty') are so ubiquitous?

Whatever, as has been observed, given that switching of lighting is a common use of time switches, and given that low-energy lamps are in widespread use, it seems a bit daft that they would produce a product that can't safely switch such loads.

Kind Regards, John