Why do energy-saving light bulbs blink? Why is the energy-saving light bulb blinking when turned off?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

In the modern world, users are increasingly using their energy-saving "sisters" instead of conventional incandescent lamps. However, along with the convenience and savings in the operation of such electrical appliances, unexpected problems appear. Among such "surprises" is often called the flashing of the lighting device after turning it off. Why do energy saving light bulbs blink? Let's figure it out.

How does it work? The difference between different kinds of lamps

As you know, manufacturers produce several types of lamps. The most famous and common until recently were ordinary incandescent lamps. Such a lighting accessory emits light due to a very strong incandescence, heating a special wire inside a glass bulb. They call it "filament".

There are also fluorescent and energy-saving light bulbs. In such lighting fixtures, the filamentmissing. The operation of such lamps is due to the formation of a potential difference. At the same time, electrons flying inside the device in the gas cause it to glow.

When the current through the filament is reduced, the lamp begins to shine dimmer, and if it drops significantly, it may go out altogether.

Before we begin to understand why energy-saving light bulbs blink, let's determine what states they have.

1. The lamp has no power and is off.
2. Insignificant voltage comes to the light bulb. Sometimes it can be a small amount of current, too small to start it. In this case, the capacitor is gradually charging. When enough voltage is built up, the bulb will turn on for a short time. However, the capacitor is instantly discharged, and the device instantly goes out. This process looks like an energy-saving light bulb is blinking.
3. When sufficient power is supplied for normal operation of the lighting device, the light bulb turns on. The device serves to perform its main function - lighting the room, objects, terrain, etc.

Now that you've gotten a little familiar with how economy light bulbs work, you can begin to figure out why energy-saving light bulbs blink.

Reasons for flashing energy-saving lamps

As mentioned earlier, the design of the "housekeeper" light bulb includes a capacitor,charged to a certain voltage, at which the start occurs, that is, the lighting device is turned on. However, not all so simple. So why do energy-saving light bulbs blink? The flashing does not occur from the charge of the capacitor, the reason lies in the presence of some small current flowing through the light bulb. It is he who charges the capacitor.

First reason

Almost all users who ask why energy-saving light bulbs flash are dealing with appliances that are connected to backlit switches. It is to power the backlight bulb that a certain amount of current is supplied to the switch, and it, in turn, charges the capacitor, causing the lighting fixture to flash.

How to deal with flashing? Method one

Earlier, we wrote why the off energy-saving light bulb is blinking. At the same time, the incandescent lamps screwed in instead of the "housekeepers" do not blink. Therefore, the simplest solution would be to replace energy-saving lamps with their "sisters" with a filament. However, with this option, you will have to forget about the economical use of electricity.

Of course, you can pick up a few low-power lamps. However, in some cases, such a solution is not very rational (for example, there is only one horn for the lamp in the ceiling, but you don’t want to use a too powerful lamp). Now that you understand why the energy-saving light bulbs are blinking, you can add one touch to them: solder a 10-20 kOhm resistor in parallel with the cartridge. This element will "drain" the small current that caused the blinking.

Reasonsecond

Are you wondering why the energy-saving light bulb blinks? There is another reason - there is an interruption of zero. In this case, it turns out that a phase constantly comes to the lighting device. When the switch is turned off, zero appears.

The second way to deal with flashing

If you have just such a situation, it becomes necessary to reconnect the zero and phase on the lighting group in the shield, if such phenomena occur throughout the house or apartment. The situation may turn out to be simpler - sometimes it is enough to sort out the circuit again, only in a certain junction box.

Before you take any action, you need to make sure that your switch really opens not the phase wire, but the neutral one. To carry out such manipulations, it is enough to use the help of the indicator. You just need to touch it to each of the wires connected to the switch.

When your indicator does not show the presence of voltage (while the indicator itself is working), then in this case the reason is really the breaking of the neutral wire. It is necessary to reconnect it in the junction box or switchboard. Now you already know exactly what to do if the energy-saving light blinks after turning it off.

Another way to deal with flashing

If your energy-saving light bulb flickers after being turned off, replace the switch. Get this time one that does not have a backlight. You can simply turn off the already existing bulb in the switch whenusing ordinary self-tapping screws. Remove the switch and cut the wire that supplies the backlight to the bulb.

Sometimes it is enough to swap incandescent bulbs from one room for "housekeeper" lamps from another. As they say, "cheap and cheerful." It can also help to screw into a multi-track chandelier, along with energy-saving light bulbs, at least one ordinary incandescent lamp. It is important to place it in a cartridge that is turned off with a backlit key.

Why is the energy saving light blinking? Is it harmful?

First, determine if you are a nervous person. For many people, a blinking energy-saving light bulb gets on their nerves. At night, such blinking can scare not only younger family members, but also adults. Many users, when faced with this problem for the first time, are seriously scared, thinking that it is a faulty wiring. Some are afraid of a short circuit and, as a result, a fire.

It should also be remembered that each electrical appliance has its own specific resource. Energy saving light bulbs are no exception. Usually, each such "girlfriend" is designed for several thousand inclusions. As you already understand, one blink is actually one step closer to the end of the operation of this lighting device. Given that an energy-saving light bulb is quite expensive, it is worth taking care to reduce the useless blinking of light in this device. Measures taken in a timely manner (see methods above)problem solving) will significantly extend the life of products.

Many energy-saving light bulbs come from China. The quality of such devices is very conditional. Sometimes blinking light bulbs can be caused by a manufacturing defect. However, unscrupulous manufacturers, instead of disposing of the defective batch in a timely manner, sell it at a bargain price. Unfortunately, very often such products end up on our shelves. If you realize that you have a defective product in front of you, try to exchange it for a quality product in the store. If the exchange fails, it is better to simply throw away the defective light bulb. Do not spare money - a possible fire during the operation of such a device can cause much more damage. And it’s better to immediately purchase electrical appliances in trusted, reliable stores.

Afterword

It matters a lot which manufacturer you choose. Many people buy cheap energy-saving light bulbs, guided by the principle "to save means to save on the cost of purchase." You should know that well-known companies are trying to produce products not only of higher quality, but also more perfect. This also applies to energy-saving light bulbs.

Most cheap lighting fixtures are made from low quality raw materials. As a result, the service life of such products is short. Made from higher quality and more expensive raw materials, energy-saving light bulbs will not onlysafe for you and your family. They will last much longer - the life of products manufactured under well-known brands can last five to eight years. Now think about it, is it really more economical to buy several light bulbs during this period, or is it more profitable to buy one expensive, but high-quality one? The conclusion suggests itself.

Now that you know why the energy-saving light bulb blinks and what are the ways to solve this problem, you just have to start acting!