Odd Electrical Issue
 

So a few months ago we bought a new house and had a fairly extensive remodel done. We had all of the track lighting replaced in the house with can lights. Basically every light switch and light fixture In the house is new. Our unit is a duplex down in a 7 unit condo building in Chicago.

Recently, the lights have developed an issue. When we flip the switch, they start to power on, very quicklu go back dark, then instantly come back on fully. It's like a stutter turning on. Also, the fan/light combo we installed in the bedroom is controlled by a switch and then a remote. We can have the power turned off via the remote but the power still on at the switch and randomly the light and or fan will turn on by itself.

Any ideas what could be the issue here? I am having my contractor come back to address the problem as we just spent a small fortune with him, but I want to make sure I understand the potential issues on my own.

Also, my upstairs neighbor is doing some renovations as well (using my contractor at my recommendation). It could be coincidental, but we did not seem to notice any issues with our electrical until they started working upstairs. Is it possible that is related?

It very well could be related to the work being done upstairs.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/625195-what-chances.html

Updated to say that the I have realized the fan is likely because something else in the area is on the same frequency. I am going to change the settings on the fan.

And the light bulbs are all LEDs. The contractor explained to my fiancée that it may be something do due with voltage/surge protection, but I'm hearing the explanation secondhand. The electrician is coming back later this week or next week, so anything I should make sure he looks at would be appreciated.

Also per the contractor, the wiring and electrical boxes are completely separate between the units.

If they are line voltage LED bulbs replace one bulb with a low wattage incandescent as a trial.

Had a similar problem with the dimming and flickering of new can lights. That problem was traced back to bad switches. No led lights were being used though. Changed the switches with new ones and the problem was cured.

i put in can lights and LED lights in the cans. when i put the cans in i noticed i was getting a bit of a shock from the AC duct that was touching the can. i measured the voltage and i think it was around 50v or so. i pull the can apart and tried to figure out why i was getting a shock but i dont think i found anything. i made sure the cans were grounded very good along with the light. no more shock.
i put in those fast turn on LEDs. i put in the slow ones in my daughters room and it drives me nuts from the delay of turning them on and when they actually come on.
i did not know there were "instant on" lights back when i put hers in or if they even had them.
just 2 things you might look at. maybe you dont have the instant on LEDs

the LEDs i put in where not just the bulb, it was a small "assymbly" that fit the cans. great lights, so much better than regular bulbs.

Check your grounds! :)

Do you have multiple lights off the same switch? One light switch or a three-way switch? Do you have a dimmer as well?

-Z

The lights that are doing this are all on dimmer switches and they control light areas of 4,4,4, and 6 bulbs (four switches total) where I am noticing the issue.

In doing some reading on LED bulbs, there do so to be some quirky things like this that happen. The good news is once the stutter for 1 second, they work perfectly with no flickering or dimming as I have read about elsewhere.

change out your leds to another company. Rayon (not cheap) makes a good light and we have been happy with their products. Stay away from the Home Depot garbage. People fight us all the time asking to buy a cheaper product. I refuse. It takes one flickering light to change their tune.

+1 especially if your car does not start :D:p:D

Are the LED bulbs you have dimmable? If they are on a dimmable switch - even if it is on full setting - that might be your issue.

The bulbs are dimmable.

I bought them at Costco under instruction from the contractor/electrician.

The good news is that once that one stutter is gone there are no flickers. I confirmed that it only happens with the bulbs that are on dimmer switches. The ones with regular switches work perfectly.

Is the dimmer on/off function independent of the dimming function? If yes, is there a difference when turning them on at full versus half power?

Do you have the make and part number of the dimmer?

I would find out why the can was at 50 volts. Simply grounding it may save someone's life, but it doesn't cure the problem.