In today's world, users are increasingly using instead of ordinary incandescent bulbs their energy-saving "sisters." However, along with the convenience and economy in the process of operating such electrical appliances, unexpected problems appear. Among these "surprises" are often called the flashing of the lighting device after turning off. Why do energy-saving light bulbs blink ? Let's get it right.
How it works? The difference between different types of lamps
As you know, manufacturers produce several types of lamps. Until recently, ordinary incandescent lamps were the most famous and common. Such a lighting accessory emits light due to a very strong glow, heating a special wire inside a glass bulb. It is called a "filament."
There are also fluorescent and energy-saving light bulbs. In such lighting devices, there is no filament. The operation of such lamps is carried out due to the formation of a potential difference. At the same time, electrons flying inside the device in a gas cause its glow.
With a decrease in the intensity of the current passing through the filament, the lamp begins to dim more dimly, and with a significant drop it may even go out.
Before you begin to understand why energy-saving light bulbs blink , we will determine what kind of conditions they have.
- No lamp power is supplied and it is turned off.
- A slight voltage comes to the light bulb. Sometimes it can be a current in a small amount, too small to start it. In this case, the capacitor is gradually charging. When sufficient voltage builds up, the light bulb briefly turns on. However, the capacitor is instantly discharged, and the device instantly goes out. This process looks as if an energy-saving light is blinking.
- When sufficient power is received for the normal operation of the lighting device, the light turns on. The device serves to perform its main function - lighting a room, objects, terrain, etc.
Now that you’ve got a little familiar with the principle of operation of the “housekeeper” bulbs, you can begin to understand why energy-saving bulbs are blinking.
Causes of flashing energy-saving lamps
As mentioned earlier, the design of the “housekeeper” bulb includes a capacitor that charges up to a certain voltage, at which a start occurs, that is, the lighting device is turned on. However, not all so simple. So why do energy-saving light bulbs blink? The blinking does not occur from the charge of the capacitor, the reason lies in the presence of some small current flowing through the bulb. It is he who charges the capacitor.
First reason
Almost all users asking a question about why energy-saving bulbs are blinking are dealing with devices that are connected to backlit switches. It is to power the backlight that a certain amount of current is supplied to the switch, and it, in turn, charges the capacitor, causing the light to flash.
How to deal with blinking? Method one
Earlier we wrote why the off energy-saving light is blinking. At the same time, incandescent lamps screwed in instead of “housekeepers” do not blink. Therefore, the easiest solution is 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, this solution is not too rational (for example, in the ceiling there is only one lamp horn, but I do not want to use a too powerful lamp). Now that you understand why energy-saving bulbs are blinking, you can add one touch to them: solder a 10-20 kOhm resistor in parallel with the cartridge. This element will “pull” that small current, due to which a blinking occurred.
Second reason
You wonder why the energy-saving light is blinking? There is another reason - there is a zero interruption. At the same time, it turns out that the phase constantly comes to the lighting device. When the switch is turned off, zero appears.
The second way to combat blinking
If you have just such a situation, there is a need 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 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 does not open the phase wire, but the zero. To carry out such manipulations, just use the indicator. It is only necessary to touch them 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 cause is really the breaking of the neutral wire. It must be reconnected in a 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 combat blinking
If your energy-saving light flashes after turning off, replace the switch. Get one this time in which there is no backlight. You can simply turn off an existing light bulb in the switch using conventional screws. Remove the switch and have a bite of a wire giving backlight to a bulb.
Sometimes it’s enough to swap incandescent bulbs from one room to “housekeeper” lamps from another. As the saying goes, "cheap and cheerful." Screwing into a multi-track chandelier along with energy-saving bulbs of at least one ordinary incandescent lamp can also help. It is important to place it in a cartridge that is disabled using the 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. In the dark, such a blink can scare not only the younger members of the family, but also adults. Many users, having first encountered this problem, are seriously scared, thinking that the problem is in faulty wiring. Some are afraid of the occurrence of a circuit and, as a consequence, the occurrence of a fire.
It should 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 operation of this lighting device. Given that the 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 the ways to solve the problem above) will significantly extend the life of the products.
Many energy-saving light bulbs come to us from China. The quality of such devices is very conditional. Sometimes blinking light bulbs can be caused by manufacturing defects. 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 are on our shelves. If you understand that this is a defective product, try exchanging it for a quality product in a store. If the exchange fails, it is better to simply throw away the defective light bulb. Spare no money - a possible fire during the operation of such a device can do much more damage. And it’s better to immediately buy electrical appliances in trusted, reliable stores.
Afterword
Of great importance is which manufacturer you prefer. Many people buy cheap energy-saving light bulbs, guided by the principle of "save - it means 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 advanced. This also applies to energy-saving light bulbs.
Most cheap lighting products are made from low quality raw materials. As a result, the service life of such products is small. Energy-saving light bulbs made from better and more expensive raw materials will not only be safe 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, is it really more economical to buy several bulbs during this period or is it more profitable to purchase one expensive, but high-quality? The conclusion suggests itself.
Now that you know why the energy-saving light is blinking and what are the ways to solve this problem, you just have to start acting!