Need advice re: 3-Way Lighted Rocker Switch not turning LED lights completely

I recently completed a renovation in my basement, where I installed the following recessed LED lights in the ceiling: Lithonia Lighting 6″ P Series: http://www.lithonia.com/commercial/6%22+p+series+led+modules.html In two places in the basement, I want to use a “lighted” (pilot light) 3-Way Rocker Switch. It turns out though, that when I use them, the LED’s don’t turn all the way off. If I use regular light bulbs instead, there are no such no problems. I have now tried using the 15amp rocker switches from both Leviton and Pass & Seymour/Legrand, but same result. I guess because the pilot light on the rocker switch is on, that somehow the LED light continues to use that tiny voltage for itself. Am I missing something? I know that it all works fine if I don’t use the lighting / pilot light. However, I would preffer to have it so people dont search for switches in the dark. All advice and input is much appreciated!

mystiky

in Lighting 11 years and 11 months ago

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mystiky | 11 years and 10 months ago

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Hello all again, After reading all of the infomative material here and almost giving up, I went to my local Lowe’s and purchased the CooperLighting HALO RL560WH-R, which are by not any means cheap: $50 each: http://www.lowes.com/pd_416915-337-RL560WH-R_0__?Ntt=416915&UserSearch=416915&productId=3903284&rpp=32 http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/public/en/lighting/products/recessed_general_purpose_downlighting/led/_5_6_inch_led_retrofit_module/_821331.ssd.html So guess what? They werk PERFECTLY with the 3-Way Lighted (pilot) rockers on both sides. The pilot light works correctly on the rocker AND the LED turns itself off completely and turned off at either end of the 3-way. I tested it with both the Leviton and Pass & Seymour/Legrand rockers. This model also works perfectly with the Lutron Maestro dimmer. Again, I fully tested these on both of my 3-way runs (one having two LEDs and the other having 4 LEDs), and believe me, it does work. I assume that these HALO’s have some extra sensor that prevents the tiny voltage that keeps the pilot light on from penetrating into the LED module. Sure, I ended up paying $45 per each one (using 10% off Lowes coupon), but they are working and have pretty much the exact same specs as what I had with Lithonia (3000K, 9.4 watts, 83 CRI and 600 Lumens ). So, again thanks to you all, but in case this message can help someone else, there IS a way out if you pay more.

BSDOD | 11 years and 11 months ago

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I had a similar problem with a dimmer switch after I relamped the room with LED’s. like nyc_sport, I simply left one incandescent bulb In one of the high hats. Probably just fixed the symptom though…

mystiky | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Thanks for the replies. I will contact the LED manufactorer tommorow (today is Labor day), to see what requirements are needed from the 3-Way Switch.

Arkady | 11 years and 11 months ago

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There are specific switches for LED lights because of the way electricity is used by them. I’d look for a new switch that lives up to your other wishes.

nyc_sport | 11 years and 11 months ago

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The simple answer or the more complicated one? The simple answer is that if there is somewhere to change out one of the bulbs for an incandescent or to put another small (even a nightlight) incandescent light on the same circuit, that likely will cure the problem (or, at least, the symptoms) by dissipating the minor pass-through voltage. More complicated answers? Do the switches have a neutral? If not, that is the problem. If there is a neutral, it may be compatible with LED lights but it is possible that one of the switches or lights reversed the hot and the neutral. Also, the switch may have a minimum load that you fall short of.