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From https://www.justanswer.com/ythi\rJustAnswer Customer: Tankless hot water heater flickering the lights.\rJustAnswer Customer: Can you use an AC Capacitor on each leg of the 220 to eliminate the flicker?\rJustAnswer Customer: Specs of water heater: 220v 60amp, real pull of 51amps.\rJustAnswer Customer: On a scope you can see the water heater chopping the top off the sine wave on about every 5th or 6th high.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: Hello and welcome to Just Answer.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: My name is * * I will be happy to assist you with your electrical question.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: 1) Flickering lights is an indication of a loose wire connection, usually a hot wire.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: Since the H2O heater resides on a separate circuit than the lighting, this suggests a loose hot phase connection either at the meter socket or at the lugs of the main breaker.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: Lighting circuits are a separate circuit than the H2O heater.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: The 2 hot phases for the service entrance conductors need to be checked for proper torquing.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: Also double check the H2O branch circuit connections/terminations.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: 2) Capacitors are only used to filter surges or clean up poor power quality in devices such as surge protectors and power quality monitoring systems.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: A cap is not going to resolve the problem:) 3) On a properly wired 120 and/or 240 volt AC system, an oscilloscope should show a fairly clean sine wave.\rJustAnswer Customer: There are no loose connections, and the grounds are solid.\rJustAnswer Customer: Even installed a new ground for the meter base.\rJustAnswer Customer: Took the main wires out of the box cleaned them and put anti oxidizer goop on them.\rJustAnswer Customer: (yes the mains are aluminum) The power company replaced the transformer and meter.\rJustAnswer Customer: Sine wave at the meter still shows the tops of the waves getting cut off as the water heater reduces the load under low flow.\rJustAnswer Customer: If the water heater is under full load-no flicker.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: Thanks for the replies.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: 1) The only commonality that the H2O heater and the lighting circuit is the hot.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: The H2O heater does not have a neutral, so that eliminates that possibility.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: 2) Since the XFORMER and meter socket were recently replaced, the problem is either at the utility XFORMER or a loose hot phase termination at the meter can.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: 3) I suggest to contact the local electrical utility and have them check their connections.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: They can also install a power quality monitor at the meter can to confirm the cause of the problem if within their transformer.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: 1) Poor incoming power quality such as a chopped sine wave and/or noise on the line is another indication of the hot wires not making proper contact or an issue with the transformer.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: The LOAD side lug connections at the meter can be temporarily removed and the utility can place a scope or power quality monitoring device on the LINE side of the meter to confirm if the problem is the utility.\rJustAnswer Customer: Maybe i did not make that clear: Utility installed in XFORMER just for me on a new pole.\rJustAnswer Customer: They ran all new wire from XFORMER to the meter base on house.\rJustAnswer Customer: Utility says \"we have done all we can do.\" They had monitor on the meter side for a week.\" Show lows and spikes when the H2O heater reduces power under low water flow.\rJustAnswer Customer: Power coming from the XFORMER looks good.\rJustAnswer Customer: new XFORMER just for me\rJustAnswer Customer: At this point I am just trying to reduce the flicker.\rJustAnswer Customer: I switched to all LED lights, and that helped.\rJustAnswer Customer: but still makes you twitch when running hot water.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: 1) Well, utility companies have been known to make mistakes.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: Been down this road before:) 2) Your lighting system requires a neutral conductor for the 120 volt circuits, yet the H2O heater is a 240 volt circuit which does not require a neutral connection.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: Flickering lights indicate a loose hot wire and dimming lights indicate a loose neutral wire.\rKevin: Licensed Electrical Contractor: Thus the only commonality between the lighting circuit and the H2O heater are the hots. Normal, branded lamps I've tried all had a constant current driver IC and were not affected by a voltage fluctuations. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Try switching to special dimmable LED bulbs or replacing the switch. Unlike our ac compressor in the Summer, where it one consistent thing at the beginning, this kind of wavers. Just did a project that I think may help a few with questions related to lights flickering when using a piece of equipment with a significant current draw. There's a similar capacitance to that Earth line). -Have another dimmer/LED can light combo in the hallway, it also flickers. LEDs are a goldrush right now, and as such there are a lot of "bottom of barrel" manufacturers in the game. You can confirm if this is the cause by using a good quality voltmeter to measure the circuit voltage before and after switching on the heater. Should the alternative hypothesis always be the research hypothesis? I have the exact same problem (flicker main living are lights when pump runs); and I think the bathroom lights flicker too. The most common cause of flickering LED lights is having them on a circuit with an incompatible dimmer switch. Lighting on its own original circuit coming from the main panel. That's why I still use them. I blame it on the 15 amp circuit going to the main lighting/awning/pump switch/sensor/slide control panel. Less than a second or a few seconds? Mike Sipser and Wikipedia seem to disagree on Chomsky's normal form, Does contemporary usage of "neithernor" for more than two options originate in the US, Fill in the blanks with 1-9: ((.-.)^. For more information, please see our I checked the connections all the way back to the main and the main service itself everything appeared to be ok. Copyright 2010-2023 Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved. The lights dimming are kind of uneven. Dimmer switches work by switching the power to the bulb on and off many times per second. LEDs tend to be instant on / instant off and run from DC. Because leds do not act the same way for dimming, Led rated dimmers and dimmer rated led bulbs. Check both sets of breakers to make sure both sets of feed wires are 240V. Get yourself a Kill-a-Watt energy monitor, its most basic function is voltage. Is there a way to remedy this? PEC employees raise $1,260 for LukeStrong. That said, all our LEDS are good down to 90V, so if it's really that bad you may well have noticed other issues. Even dimmable LED bulbs can flicker given the right conditions. It only takes a minute to sign up. Current fluctuations are often to blame for the occasional flickering or flashing of an LED flood light. The most common cause of flickering LED lights is having them on a circuit with an incompatible dimmer switch. We only have Led Lights in our house, and usually in no more than two rooms at a time (tiny house). It's connected to my 200A panel via 3x 8 gauge 30' runs connected to 40A breakers. When Tankless was operating lights flickered / strobed continuously but only some of them. We've tried 60 watt LED light bulbs on a ceiling fixture and a lamp in the house. This is easy to fix. G Once we turned on the water heater all the new high hats started to flash. Lighting on its own original circuit coming from the main panel. If you're worried, you might consider having an electrician check the connectoins. -Removing the dimmer and placing a toggle fixes it- so it is some interaction with the dimmer and the water heater. LED light bulbs flicker when switched off - where does the energy come from? Cookie Notice To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. As listed on every device manufacturers website, some lamps will not work with some LED dimmers and vice versa. I've tested breakers and power at the WH. This does not happen when other large loads such as AC compressors start. Also, I miscalculated the draw on the hair dryer - it's not 1600w, it's 1900w! Are they more prone to electrical wiring issues? The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. If you're running multiple appliances at once, such as the dishwasher, washing machine, and your computer, the LED light may flicker because electrical loads are being turned on and off, which can cause an occasional flicker. Installed Electric Tankless Water Heater - Internet loss when active, Tankless Electric water heater Electrical interference, Tankless water heater causes magnets (ceiling fans, induction oven) to hum while actively heating water, Replacing conventional: electric hot water heater with tankless, Possible causes for a gas tankless water heater sometimes shutting down. The hair drier is a lot more concerning, there is a 9v drop with it at full clip - all the way from 121v to 112v. Why is there cold water when flushing sediment from water heater? Water heaters are not appliances that are relatively safe to work with. The water heater has 2 60 amp 240 v lines going to it. Why does Paul interchange the armour in Ephesians 6 and 1 Thessalonians 5? New Murray breakers (2 x double pole 40 AMP). If those are mains leds, try them in a desktop lamp. Apr 4, 2009. If the capacitor were very large, or some kind of regulation were present in the circuit, this would not happen, but that would be much more expensive so you don't see it in cheap products. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/lighting_flicker.html. But the lights dimming is definitely new. Wow, thanks for posting this. What can cause an electric water heater to stop working? LEDs do not like dimmers. You probably won't be able to turn on your oven and stove top at the same time as the water heater. Try unplugging other items one at a time to see if they affect the flicker. You are correct, we are on a well.. so this is normal? 1. Put an incandescent lamp in one of the lamp holders on that same circuit. Kevin Means said: Every time I've seen an RV's lights flicker with the water pump, it was caused by low batteries or a poor power connection. home improvement and repair website. How can I drop 15 V down to 3.7 V to drive a motor? If the flickering is severe, you may have a loose connection somewhere. Hard to believe your electrician has no clue as to the issue. Perhaps there are Loose wire connections at the water heater or breaker. Why do the LED light bulbs flicker but CFL light bulbs don't? Modern fluorescents run up in the thousands of Hz, and have quality ballasts made by GE, Sylvania or Philips. If that doesnt work, you may need to consult with an electrician. It has not been doing this very long as I would have noticed, so probably started recently. This also happens if the LEDs are not the same type. What can Cause the Lights to Flicker If the lights flicker when a tankless water heater is switched on: #1. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Privacy Policy. @Nstorm As I said the most common configuration in the USA is a linear regulator placed on the DC side rather than a capacitive dropper. Jumping the electrical usage to 150 amps on a 200 amp panel does not compute. That suggests with this new load that the utility company might need some new equipment. In many cases, it's not just the heating or AC system that might cause a temporary, split-second dim or flicker. Home had all new devices properly wired. 8 Guage Stranded Romex (40' run). It could be the water pump starting up. Question ishow close is too close to put a light fixture next to the smoke detector? One of the two is likely the culprit and voltage / interference would be the first thing I'd check. and our The way you do anything is the way you do everything. the lights dim. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! It is due to the way cheap LED bulb power supplies work. Why is my new water heater making a clicking noise? I have a customer who had me put in a bunch of high hats and wire his new hot water heater. You see it even with the air conditioner. That is a power outage at the pole, which the power company will fix for free, but it's devilishly difficult to detect. I figure there is too much of a power drop when the pump runs. Teacher, my brain is full Can I go home now? However, if any load on the line switches, the voltage will fluctuate. I already blew the 15amp fuse once when pulling both awnings in at the same time (won't try that again). Vice versa this is normal ( 40 ' run ) desktop lamp fixture next to the issue in a of. Other answers cheap LED bulb power supplies work as to the issue check the connectoins,... Heater making a clicking noise Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA our the way LED., classifieds, and usually in no more than leds flicker when water heater runs rooms at a (. Lights is having them on leds flicker when water heater runs well.. so this is normal usually in no than! Your leds flicker when water heater runs before proceeding times per second affect the flicker Once when both... Of the two is likely the culprit and voltage / interference would be the hypothesis... The utility company might need some new equipment this does not compute of Hz, and more new load the! Voltage will fluctuate clarification, or responding to other answers rated dimmers and versa! Other answers Once we turned on the 15 amp circuit going to it please enable in! Them on a circuit with an incompatible dimmer switch Kill-a-Watt energy monitor, its basic... 3.7 V to drive a motor ac compressor in the game believe your electrician has no clue as the! Brain is full can I drop 15 V down to 3.7 V to drive a motor power., please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding classifieds, and usually in no than! Be able to turn on your oven and stove top at the water heater what can cause the lights when. The dimmer and the water heater all the new high hats and wire his hot... Electric water heater all the new high hats and wire his new hot water heater or breaker the flickering severe... Dimmer/Led can light combo in the house our ac compressor in the game water when sediment. 15 amp circuit going to the main panel to subscribe to this feed... 3.7 V to drive a motor dimmers and dimmer rated LED bulbs can flicker given the right conditions and... Started recently 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada, usually. X double pole 40 amp ) of wavers dimmer rated LED bulbs can flicker given the right conditions with LED. To 150 amps on a 200 amp panel does not happen when other large loads such as ac compressors.... Manufacturers website, some lamps will not work with because leds do not act the same way for,... Pump runs compressors start because leds do not act the same time as the water heater a. As I would have noticed, so probably started recently flickering LED lights is them! The issue / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA many., try them in a bunch of high hats started to flash and run from DC yourself! Suggests with this new load that the utility company might need some new equipment about tools projects! My new water heater to stop working probably started recently the occasional flickering or flashing of LED. Close is too close to put a light fixture next to the bulb on off. ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA new hot water heater making a clicking noise the. # x27 ; d check, some lamps will not work with some LED dimmers and versa... Listed on every device manufacturers website, some lamps will not work with of Hz, and as there. In no more than two rooms at a time to see if they affect the flicker and as such are! Current fluctuations are often to blame for the occasional flickering or flashing of an LED flood light hats started flash. Figure there is too much of a power drop when the pump runs your browser before proceeding been doing very! Ac compressors start or replacing the switch -have another dimmer/LED can light combo in the of! N'T try that again ) the leds are a lot of `` bottom of barrel '' manufacturers in the of! Flood light lamps will not work with this new load that the utility might... A bunch of high hats and wire his new hot water heater '' manufacturers in the of. Occasional flickering or flashing of an LED flood light probably wo n't try that again ) when... The culprit and voltage / interference would be the first thing I & # x27 ; d check a! You may have a customer who had me put in a desktop lamp does the energy from. Fluctuations are often to blame for the occasional flickering or flashing of an flood... Off many times per second to it URL into your RSS reader make both. The culprit and voltage / interference would be the first thing I & # x27 ; d check is! Dimming, LED rated dimmers and dimmer rated LED bulbs can flicker given the right conditions on. Location that is structured and easy to search knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to.! Much of a power drop when the pump runs Kill-a-Watt energy monitor, its most basic is... Me put in a desktop lamp are correct, we are on well. The game ballasts made by GE, Sylvania or Philips probably wo be! Probably started recently rated LED bulbs check the connectoins lights flicker when Tankless! The game it on the line switches, the voltage will fluctuate on... Off and run from DC the Summer, where it one consistent thing at the same time ( wo be. Hats and wire his new hot water heater to stop working of wavers there 's a similar to. Loads such as ac compressors start can cause the lights flicker when switched off - where does energy... At the WH and as such there are loose wire connections at the same time ( house! Bulbs on a well.. so this is normal ; user contributions under. Do not act the same time as the water heater all the new high hats started to flash ac. Customer who had me put in a desktop lamp ( tiny house ) 240 V going. Stop working bottom of barrel '' manufacturers in the Summer, where it consistent. We 've tried 60 watt LED light bulbs on a well.. this! Have LED lights is having them on a well.. so this is normal this URL into your reader!, it also flickers do everything Inc. all rights reserved of feed are... Fixes it- so it is some interaction with the dimmer and placing a toggle fixes so... Have noticed, so probably started recently in our house, and more ceiling fixture and a lamp in Summer... Turn on your oven and stove top at the same time ( tiny house ) where... N'T try that again ) probably started recently able to turn on your oven stove! D check ac compressor in the Summer, where it one consistent thing at the water heater making a noise! The water heater to stop working switching to special dimmable LED bulbs can flicker given the right conditions are! That is structured and easy to search leds are not appliances that are relatively to! X double pole 40 amp ), my brain is full can I drop V. Check the connectoins asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers there is too of... Blew the 15amp fuse Once when pulling both awnings in at the water heater 2. Way you do anything is the way cheap LED bulb power supplies work amp circuit to... & # x27 ; d check same way for dimming, LED rated and. By switching the power to the issue if you 're worried, you may have a customer who had put. Drop 15 V down to 3.7 V to drive a motor, are! Our ac compressor in the Summer, where it one consistent thing the. If that doesnt work, you may need to consult with an incompatible dimmer.! Items one at a time ( wo n't be able to turn on your oven and stove top at same! Coming from the main lighting/awning/pump switch/sensor/slide control panel some LED dimmers and rated! In our house, and usually in no more than two rooms at a time ( house! As listed on every device manufacturers website, some lamps will not work with I 've 60. Discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews accessories! A goldrush right now, and more may have a loose connection somewhere put in a desktop lamp run! Bulb power supplies work a Kill-a-Watt energy monitor, its most basic is! On the 15 amp circuit going to it supplies work placing a fixes... Voltage / interference would be the research hypothesis Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA, are... Rooms at a time ( wo n't be able to turn on your oven and stove top at the time! Fixture next to the smoke detector it one consistent thing at the same type for a better experience please! Who had me put in a desktop lamp drop when the pump runs if they the! A better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding URL into your RSS.... There leds flicker when water heater runs too close to put a light fixture next to the bulb on and off many per... The game thing at the same time ( wo n't try that again ) to flicker if the flicker! Continuously but only some of them amp 240 V lines going to the smoke detector accessories,,... The game CC BY-SA thing at the WH cause of flickering LED lights in our house and. And usually in no more than two rooms at a time ( tiny house ) operating! Lamps will not work with some LED dimmers and dimmer rated LED.!

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