schda12 Posted April 11 Posted April 11 Due to PLM communication issues, I swapped out three Insteon dimmers used with time-based programs but not scenes. The dimmer replacements were Leviton 26HD, which have basic device-level timing control such as on at 35% dimming 30 minutes before sunset. One of the the three introduced sensitivity to Insteon powerline signals (flickering) while the two others did not. That probably means the LED power supply for the one with the issue is more sensitive. Is there a type of filter that blocks Insteaon signals without absorbing them and thereby impacting the Insteon network? Based on comments in this forum, a simple EMI filter like Qualtek 851 (https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/qualtek/851-05%2F006/739530) seems likely to absorb Insteon signals instead of just blocking them to the LED driver. An alternative LED driver may be the simplest solution. Thanks for your thoughts.
Techman Posted April 11 Posted April 11 What make and wattage are the lights connected to the 26HD? In some cases if the load is too small it can cause flickering. The solution is to add a load resistor to the load. 2
schda12 Posted April 18 Author Posted April 18 On 4/11/2024 at 1:50 PM, Techman said: What make and wattage are the lights connected to the 26HD? Techman, My replacement power supply is a Magnitude 40-watt 12-volt DC E-series Recognized (https://magnitudeinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/E-Series-Recognized-Spec-Sheet-REV003.pdf). This has a small physical size to fit in an existing ceiling recessed lamp enclosure. The load is 3 9-watt MR16 12V AC/DC lamps. The total load of 27 watts would exceed the next-smaller 20-watt power supply. Previously I had a LightTech 151 R (probably this: https://ballastshop.com/let-151-lightech-ge66598-transformer-150w-12v/). That was a transformer to 12VAC relying on the rectifiers in each lamp. Although that capacity was way more than the load, the reduction in flicker with the new driver was less than I hoped. Apparently the design of the Leviton dimmer allows more of the Insteon interference to pass through than the Insteon device I replaced. I don't recall a flicker issue with the Insteon dimmer. The Leviton dimmer has an integrated timer. The Insteon dimmer was never part of a scene. I don't see flickering in a circuit with the same Leviton dimmer and a physically larger Magnitude LED driver (https://magnitudeinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lindrive-Spec-Sheet-REV010-1.pdf). I think that one is also 40 watts but not easily accessible. The load is larger (4 lamps instead of 3). Typical dimming level is for the flicking lamps is 35%. There is slightly less flickering when set at 100%. Might a resistor in series with the 12-volt circuit help in this case? If so, what size would you recommend? Thanks, David
Techman Posted April 18 Posted April 18 @schda12 You should verify that the Leviton switches use "Leading edge triacs", and not "trailing edge MOSFET" The dimmer power supply you're using requires a minimum load of 8 watts for proper dimming. I don't think you can place a load resister on the dimmer module you're using, and an EMI filter probably wouldn't be practical. Try calling Magnitude tech siupport. E-Series-Recognized-Spec-Sheet-REV003.pdf (magnitudeinc.com)
Recommended Posts