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#1
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle...
Fluorescent lights flickering in garage, new tubes, but I figured it was because it was "cold"... like 45°F ;-) Switched motion detector switch from auto-on to full-on, flicker stops. Failure, or motion detector cold sensitive??? ...Jim Thompson -- | James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | | http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave |
#2
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:01:58 -0700, Jim Thompson
wrote: Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle... Fluorescent lights flickering in garage, new tubes, but I figured it was because it was "cold"... like 45°F ;-) Switched motion detector switch from auto-on to full-on, flicker stops. Failure, or motion detector cold sensitive??? ...Jim Thompson Perhaps a hint.. triac trigger current increases as temperature drops... Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com |
#3
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:01:58 -0700, Jim Thompson wrote:
Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle... Fluorescent lights flickering in garage, new tubes, but I figured it was because it was "cold"... like 45°F ;-) Switched motion detector switch from auto-on to full-on, flicker stops. Failure, or motion detector cold sensitive??? The motion detector probably doesn't like the SMPS load that the electronic ballast puts on it. I once smoked two SSRs before I figured out that the switcher I was trying to control was eating them. Cheers! Rich |
#4
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
Spehro Pefhany wrote:
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:01:58 -0700, Jim Thompson wrote: Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle... Fluorescent lights flickering in garage, new tubes, but I figured it was because it was "cold"... like 45°F ;-) Switched motion detector switch from auto-on to full-on, flicker stops. Failure, or motion detector cold sensitive??? ...Jim Thompson Perhaps a hint.. triac trigger current increases as temperature drops... Interesting test: replace the fluorescent fixture with an incandescent lamp and see if the flicker persists. You might have to monitor the waveform with a 'scope, since the lamps slower response won't make the flicker visible. -- Paul Hovnanian ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Procrastinators: The leaders for tomorrow. |
#5
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
Magnetic ballast fluorescents tend to cause flicker in cold environments
because the tube voltage rises and current falls off. I had one in my garage that needed to be run on a step-up transformer to get stable operation below 40F. I finally dumped it and got a high pressure Hg lamp. The really annoying thing is every time the compressor kicks on or I weld, the light goes out... time to re-wire. Newer fluorescents use electronic ballasts. I have one CFL on my back porch and it has been running nicely for several winters where it has gone down to zero (F). The motion detectors I've seen are all TRIAC outputs. Most will not go to 100% duty cycle (unless they have a bypass relay) which reduces the available voltage to run a lamp. Another thing is that the motion detector may be rated only for a resistive load. It may not like the power factor of the fluorescent. 45°F is cold for you? How fast you wanted to forget Bean Town winters G. Merry Christmas, Oppie "Jim Thompson" wrote in message ... Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle... Fluorescent lights flickering in garage, new tubes, but I figured it was because it was "cold"... like 45°F ;-) Switched motion detector switch from auto-on to full-on, flicker stops. Failure, or motion detector cold sensitive??? ...Jim Thompson |
#6
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
Jim Thompson wrote:
Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle... Fluorescent lights flickering in garage, new tubes, but I figured it was because it was "cold"... like 45°F ;-) Switched motion detector switch from auto-on to full-on, flicker stops. Failure, or motion detector cold sensitive??? If this motion control switch is of the electronic kind it might not like a fluorescent as a load at all. Often it sort of works but it's not safe and not reliable. 45F, cold? You guys must be quite wimpy when it comes to "cold". -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ |
#7
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:01:58 -0700, Jim Thompson
wrote: Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle... Fluorescent lights flickering in garage, new tubes, but I figured it was because it was "cold"... like 45°F ;-) Switched motion detector switch from auto-on to full-on, flicker stops. Failure, or motion detector cold sensitive??? ...Jim Thompson You did not say hat sort of flicker rate, so is the flourescent having to restart regularly, or is it just a flickering of light level at a fast rate (60Hz) ? If the flourescent is near to the detector main signal, is it possible that the tube ionization is being maintained better in the presence of the detector radiation ? ( Should be testable by shielding the output of the detector). Or is the connection purely mains connection related. Should be testable by shielding the output of the detector. Be interesting to know what happens if the ambient temperature is raised to more comfortable levels. What happens if the tube is replaced with a known good one ? Peter Dettmann |
#8
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
"Paul Hovnanian P.E." wrote in message
... Interesting test: replace the fluorescent fixture with an incandescent lamp and see if the flicker persists. You might have to monitor the waveform with a 'scope, since the lamps slower response won't make the flicker visible. Photosensor (transistor, diode, etc.). You may not be able to see it with your eyes, but it's certainly there. Tim -- Deep Fryer: A very philosophical monk. Website @ http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms |
#9
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
"Joerg" wrote in message
et... 45F, cold? You guys must be quite wimpy when it comes to "cold". It's 36°F today. I put on shorts. ;-) Tim -- Deep Fryer: A very philosophical monk. Website @ http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms |
#10
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:01:58 -0700, Jim Thompson
wrote: Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle... Fluorescent lights flickering in garage, new tubes, but I figured it was because it was "cold"... like 45°F ;-) Switched motion detector switch from auto-on to full-on, flicker stops. Failure, or motion detector cold sensitive??? ...Jim Thompson Or... Full on is a seperate contact, while auto-on is an electronic (triac?) switch? |
#11
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:31:16 GMT, Joerg
wrote: Jim Thompson wrote: Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle... Fluorescent lights flickering in garage, new tubes, but I figured it was because it was "cold"... like 45°F ;-) Switched motion detector switch from auto-on to full-on, flicker stops. Failure, or motion detector cold sensitive??? If this motion control switch is of the electronic kind it might not like a fluorescent as a load at all. Often it sort of works but it's not safe and not reliable. 45F, cold? You guys must be quite wimpy when it comes to "cold". Older 2-wire motion detectors needed incandescent loads, and flickered outrageously with fluorescents. Some of the newer ones will work with "any load." The 3-wire types (line, load, neutral) are usually OK. John |
#12
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Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:31:16 GMT, Joerg
wrote: Jim Thompson wrote: Fluorescent Flicker Puzzle... Fluorescent lights flickering in garage, new tubes, but I figured it was because it was "cold"... like 45°F ;-) Switched motion detector switch from auto-on to full-on, flicker stops. Failure, or motion detector cold sensitive??? If this motion control switch is of the electronic kind it might not like a fluorescent as a load at all. Often it sort of works but it's not safe and not reliable. 45F, cold? You guys must be quite wimpy when it comes to "cold". So COLD I had to put on a wind breaker today, and ZIP IT part way up ;-) Looks like the flicker was due to the mechanical portion of the switch "corroding". Numerous wiping operations seems to have cured the problem. ...Jim Thompson -- | James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | | http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave |
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