Ltek Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 (edited) Issue:Circuit with FOUR (4) Ceiling 5w LED Lights (all new, same brand) will not light up. BUT... Circuit with SIX (6) of the same all new lights, works fine.Tried 2 different Insteon Dimmers (77D & 76D) on both circuits, same results. Dimmer powers up, communicates with ISY just fine and shows the dim status on front as expectedCalled Insteon Support, they had no clue.Maybe the minimum draw is not being met?Would adding a dummy load resistor fix the issue?thx for your help! Edited October 1, 2019 by Ltek
Techman Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Are you using the two wire or three wire dimmer switches? LED bulbs require the 3 wire switch (the one with the neutral wire). What brand of led bulbs are you using?
Brian H Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 The 2476D and 2477D are both three wire dimmers. I would also suspect a minimum load needed. Dummy load may help but it would add watts being wasted as heat. Have you an added incandescent bulb for one of the LEDs to see if things changed. Different brand LED bulbs may also act completely different. Maybe try a different brand.
Ltek Posted October 2, 2019 Author Posted October 2, 2019 Light fixtures are 2" Nicor Model # DGD211205KRDWH ... https://www.homedepot.com/p/NICOR-2-in-White-5000K-Remodel-IC-Rated-Recessed-Integrated-LED-Gimbal-Downlight-Kit-DGD211205KRDWH/308635390 The 6 fixture circuit works fine with the Insteon dimmers. I suspect Insteon dimmers require a min load and the Insteon support doesnt know. If others have gotten it to work on low-loads, it could be luck, or maybe the LED driver (control circuit) that is designed in a way to add more load. I'm going to add an incandescent light and then another LED or 2 to see when it starts to work.
lilyoyo1 Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 I doubt it's a low load issue. I've used all insteon dimmers with less load than that (except for 2474). It may be an issue with your particular bulbs itself
Techman Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Some of the older LED bulbs use a driver circuit. it's possible that the Insteon switch is not compatible with your LED bulbs. Adding an incandescent bulb will test that theory 1
apostolakisl Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 I'm pretty sure there is no load minimum on an Insteon dimmer switch. Insteon dimmers use a triac dimmer and I don't think triacs have a minimum load. It isn't like a ballast, it is just passing through the line voltage (clipped when dimmed).
ELA Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) Triacs definitely do have a minimum current - it is called "minimum holding current". Typical max. value for a 12A ( like used in Switchlinc) triac is 30 -50ma. LED lamps draw current in a very non linear fashion that messes with dimmers. OPs LED lamps are 4.8W each - but non-linear current demand. As mentioned try a incandescent in Parallel with the LEDs. A 4W night light load = 33ma Edited October 3, 2019 by ELA
Brian H Posted October 3, 2019 Posted October 3, 2019 The NICOR catalog shows the DGD LED Lights use a remote driver box. So if you use a bulb for a test. It will have to be added to the 120 volt AC input of the remote driver box not directly across the LED assembly itself.
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