[CQ-Contest] LED Dimmers

[ac0w at charter.net]

I'm going to expand on what Larry state.
1. Make sure the dimmer is a true LED dimmer and not an incandescent
or fluorescent dimmer repurposed. A misapplied dimmer will generate
RFI.
2. Most true LED dimmers require both the equipment grounding
conductor (green wire) and the neutral conductor (white wire)
connected to the dimmer for proper operation. The dimmer will work if
improperly wired but again generate RFI.
3. Load rating, some dimmers that state work with LED have some
different load ratings and loading requirements. If those aren't
followed, problems will develop. This is most typical with
multipurpose dimmers. They will give an incandescent rating say 600
watts but in the fine print will find something like LED minimum of 10
watts maximum of 100 watts. If this isn't followed again problems
develop. On LED's it is always best to use dimmer that is designed
specifically for LED and not a incandescent that says will work on
LED's.
Lutron and Leviton both make good quality products. The problems I
typically see are misapplication of the product and improper wiring.
BillAC0W

 Message: 6
 Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2016 09:14:10 -0500
 From: "Larry Gauthier (K8UT)" 
 To: "CQ Contest" , "K9MA"

 Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] LED Dimmer RFI
 Message-ID: 
 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
 reply-type=response

 Scott,

 I'm using Lutron dimmers (Home Depot, $30) with LED lamps and do not
have an 
 RFI issue. Maybe mine are newer models? (installed in the last 60
days)

 Two things to check:
 Is the metal case of the neighbor's Lutron dimmer properly grounded?
(Older 
 house, no ground wire?)
 Is your neighbor using "dimmable" LEDs? (I don't know what happens
when you 
 hit a non-dimmable LED with a dimmer)

 -larry (K8UT)
 -----Original Message----- 
 From: K9MA
 Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2016 9:42 PM
 To: CQ Contest
 Subject: [CQ-Contest] LED Dimmer RFI

 I just tracked down a bad RFI source to a neighbor's LED dimmer
switch.
 I'm not sure whether the problem is generic or a sample defect, but
I'd
 rather replace it with another brand. (It's a Lutron.) There's a
 Levitron model which claims to have RFI filtering. Does anyone know
 whether that one, or any other, is quiet? (Must be LED compatible.)

 73,

 Scott K9MA

 -- 
 Scott K9MA

 k9ma at sdellington.us

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