UPB Switch Doesn't Always Turn Off Light

[Jrock]

I have a HAI 600w Dimmer Switch, set to non-dimming mode, controlling a florescent light above my kitchen sink. Up until about a month ago it worked fine. Now sometimes when I press the bottom rocker it will immediately turn off the light and sometimes it takes a while before the light turns off. Either way the status LED on the switch changes color right away. I don't recall there ever being a delay turning the light on with the exception of the light flickering before coming fully on, but this would happen before with the non-upb switch as well.

Any ideas?

edit: I turned off the light before I wrote this post, but it took about 5 minutes for the light to actually turn off. I have not changed anything in PCA or UpStart since the switch was initially setup.

 

[Desert_AIP]

Double check in UpStart it didn't spontaneously revert to dimming mode (which is the default).

Is it an 11-40 or 240 switch? Ignore that.

 

[Jrock]

Double check in UpStart it didn't spontaneously revert to dimming mode (which is the default).

It is still set to non-dimming in UpStart.

Is it an 11-40 or 240 switch?

I am not sure what you mean by that. Based on the "240" I assume you are referring to the voltage. If that is the case it is 120.

 

[Desert_AIP]

Sorry, my mistake I missed the HAI part in your original post, I was thinking Simply Automated switch models.

 

[pete_c]

I recently have had an issue with one SA appliance switch controlling one of four landscaping transformers.

Recently had an old Malibu 85 watt burn out on me. Historically its been my test powerline / Z-wave connected test device. Three of the landscaping transformers today are (were) commercial type toroidal transformers located about 15 feet from the fuse panel.

The one that burned out was replaced by a smallers 150 watt toroidal type transformer and it controls only 4 halogen style lamps (10-40 watts). It sits furthest away from the UPB Pim in the garage. It has great signal strength. For the last 7 or so years it always used an X10 appliance module (the other 3 commercial style are currently using these). I have historically tested this specific area with Insteon, Z-Wave and currently have it on an SA appliance switch.

Maybe I didn't have it configured just right with SA; so I made one change last night to it and it appears fine this morning although I've removed one event that was running.

I currently have my lanscaping lights go on for 10 minutes should a motion event occur "after hours". As stated three of the four transformers on X10 switches work in this fashion (for years now) and do so based on an HAI OPII event. I added the SA Appliance device to said events and noticed that the specific zone would keep turning on after a shut off event. I have the three other landscaping transformers shutting off at around midnight. I added this one appliance switch to the same event. The landscaping lights would go off according to schedule. 5 minutes later this SA Appliance device would go on again "by itself". I looked at the status of the switch via my HA server and could see when it shut off and could see when it would go on. I couldn't figure out why though.

Last night (around 10 PM - way before scheduled shut off time) I made one modification in Upstart to the switch. I am wondering why it worked right and maybe I am not familiar with the switch / methodology. Before I made this change I tried using both links / device to turn it on and off.

Next I want to make the transformer go on for 10 minutes with the other ones via an IR motion event "after hours". I removed this device from the event because it would always be on in the morning.

The device tab / page which I changed is posted. Under options / switch trigger. Originally it was set enabled. I disabled it as shown.

I am still learning and wondering why it is now working and before why it wasn't.

 

[priorityelectric]

I have a HAI 600w Dimmer Switch, set to non-dimming mode, controlling a florescent light above my kitchen sink. Up until about a month ago it worked fine. Now sometimes when I press the bottom rocker it will immediately turn off the light and sometimes it takes a while before the light turns off. Either way the status LED on the switch changes color right away. I don't recall there ever being a delay turning the light on with the exception of the light flickering before coming fully on, but this would happen before with the non-upb switch as well.

Any ideas?

edit: I turned off the light before I wrote this post, but it took about 5 minutes for the light to actually turn off. I have not changed anything in PCA or UpStart since the switch was initially setup.

Your switch is in dimming mode as opposed to switch Instant mode.
Program it asap before you have big problems like a fire dimming a FL light.

 

[JonW]

I have a HAI 600w Dimmer Switch, set to non-dimming mode, controlling a florescent light above my kitchen sink. Up until about a month ago it worked fine. Now sometimes when I press the bottom rocker it will immediately turn off the light and sometimes it takes a while before the light turns off. Either way the status LED on the switch changes color right away. I don't recall there ever being a delay turning the light on with the exception of the light flickering before coming fully on, but this would happen before with the non-upb switch as well.

Any ideas?

edit: I turned off the light before I wrote this post, but it took about 5 minutes for the light to actually turn off. I have not changed anything in PCA or UpStart since the switch was initially setup.

Your switch is in dimming mode as opposed to switch Instant mode.
Program it asap before you have big problems like a fire dimming a FL light.

I guess you missed the part where that's already been double checked.

 

[ano]

Yeah sounds like a case where the fluorescent light is causing noise on the switch. Disconnect the bulb and see if the switch now switches O.K. You most likely will need a UPB filter installed between the light and the switch.

 

[Jrock]

Yeah sounds like a case where the fluorescent light is causing noise on the switch. Disconnect the bulb and see if the switch now switches O.K. You most likely will need a UPB filter installed between the light and the switch.

I will try that. I have been wanting to replace that light for a while now. Looks like I might have an excuse to do it now!

 

[Digger]

Yeah sounds like a case where the fluorescent light is causing noise on the switch. Disconnect the bulb and see if the switch now switches O.K. You most likely will need a UPB filter installed between the light and the switch.

I will try that. I have been wanting to replace that light for a while now. Looks like I might have an excuse to do it now!

If it is noise (unusual with UPB but possible) then you should disconnect the whole light fixture as the noise would come from the ballast. Ballasts start out at one frequency to get the bulb lit rapidly then change frequency shortly afterwards. Whenever the ballast is energized it would produce noise.

 

[drozwood90]

Can you run an incandescent bulb off that switch? I'm thinking that IF it is noise, you'll see the incandescent work 100%.

Is is possible to change just the FL-bulb in that fixture? Just trying to see if you can determine where the goof is. Personally, I've not run full FL bulbs, and 1/2 or so (maybe more) of my house is CFL. I'd say all but ONE bulb that is CFL is on a switch (US2-40). The other one is on an appliance module. I've had no issues.

--Dan

 

[Jrock]

Seems like this isn't going to be something to easily test!

I am thinking the best way may be to pull out the fluorescent fixture and temporarily replace it with a ceramic bulb holder (I have two laying around I bought to install in my attic). I'm figuring I would have to keep the incandescent fixture in place for a couple days to really test it since sometimes everything works perfectly. I may just remove the fixture and replace it with two recessed lights (which is something I have been considering doing anyway).