Timer switches are necessary for turning lights on automatically – whether your not home or just want the have them turn on and off automatically.
Can you use a timer switch with LED or low energy light bulbs.
With the replacement of traditional incandescent bulbs with new low energy CFL and LED bulbs We often get asked by many people with built in timers why they experience flickering or LEDs remaining on. We will attempt to explain why timer switches can be used with energy saving bulbs and LEDS, and how you can resolve the issue in this article. We will explain (briefly) how electrical timers work first and what causes the flickering.
How Electrical timer switches work.
Electrical timer switches require power to operate. Light switch timers (eg. those that replace a standard light switch) don’t have a direct power connection. The draw power to keep the timer ticking over is by passing a very small current through the light bulb.
The filament in old style bulbs passes the small current without any problems and the current isn’t high enough to light the bulb. the timer simply use the resistance of the filament of an incandescent lightbulb as part of the timer circuitry.
Timer switch CFL energy saving Flickering
CFL bulbs do not have a resistance characteristic to offer the timer – (they are inductive). The typical electronic timer reaction is to switch itself rapidly on and off due to the inductive element charging and discharging.
Timer switch, LEDS, dimly lit
In the case of LEDs, the small current is enough to produce light with LEDs, meaning they are dimly lit and stay on. That is why the many timer switches therefore typically require a minimum load in order to operate. this is usually 40w or more.
This also has the additional issue of the fuse in the timer switch blowing each time the light bulb blows requiring you to turn off the mains before replacing the fuse.
So how can you use a timer switch with your energy saving bulbs?
So what can you do? there are a number of options available,
Get a large resistor.
Some timer switch manufacturers offer a larger external resistor which can be fitted between the bulb and the switch allowing them to operate bulbs of 20W. these will not fit behind the switch and need to be wired into the ceiling.
Use old bulbs or more bulbs.
With CFLs you could try increasing the number of bulbs so if you have 3 bulbs of 15w you can meet the minimum load requirements of the timer switch.
A timer which works with Energy saving bulbs, LED’s or CFL
There is another solution which does work with all types of bulb – The light switch timer which mechanically operates the light switch and so can be used with any LED or CFL type bulb.
The light switch timer simply operates the existing light switch mechanically as you would with your finger. This has the advantage that it does not matter what type of light bulb or LED you use you will not have any issues. In addition it does not require any wiring as it is a retro fit solution fitting over the existing switch.
Does a timer save money when it runs 24/7 bit the led is only on for 4 hours of that time?
Hi Mark,
The light switch timer is a battery operated device. It only uses power when a programme is activated.
It does have a 24/7 time table feature so users can programme lights to complete accuracy over the duration of an entire week.
Energy is saved by programming lights (in your case LED’s) to come on for only 4 hours rather than having those lights on all the time.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy to help.
Kind regards,
Oliver Queen
Customer service team
mydome, Switched On Products
0203 6370856
can we use 2ft x 4ft LED light fixture with the timer and how many LED’S can be connected in one timer switch?
Hi,
Any bulb type or size can be used with the light switch timer.
The light switch timer will control any lights on the same light switch i.e. a 1 gang, 2 gang or 3 gang light switch.
Sir,
All (95%) of my light bulbs are now LED. But they have created a nuisance for me in terms of timing them. My driveway lights are two LED flood lights. My timer which worked with filament type flood lights, worked perfectly. But now, the same timer changes the timing cycle and progressively makes it shorter and starts earlier and earlier. By connecting two flood lights in parallel, I do not get flickering or dim light problems, but it does not really help in terms of timing cycle. I have successfully tried to use one LED and one filament flood light, but that is going to be impossible when all filament lights are going to disappear; and I don’t like it.
Any thing else I can do so make my driveway and other timers work the way I want them to? Do let me know.
Thank you.
Suren
Have you tried changing the batteries,. the clock would only really loose time if the batteries where low. Their is a low battery indicator onthe lcd of the timer advising when the batteries need replacing.
failing that please do get in touch and we can look into it for you.
It only works if you have large flat switch toggles. If you have thinner lever types the rollers won’t work. So you’d need to change your faceplates, which means turnung off the mains and or geting an electrician.
“timer which works with Energy saving bulbs, LED’s or CFL”? Will this timer also work with tungsten bulbs?
Have replaced half of my Christmas lights outdoors with LED, the other half still tungsten. I have always run them off one timer.
The light switch timer is a mechanical device that physically rolls over a switch for you, turning it on and off. As long as the lights are being powered through the mains electricity on a switch plate the light switch timer will be compatible. This works with all bulbs.