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Senior Member
My kitchen lights are Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) controlled by a relay-based X10 switch. The switch often fails to respond to commands, especially when the CFL lights are on (probably due to noise generated by the CFL). Before replacing the X10 switch with an SAI US1-40, I decided to set it up on a testbench and perform a few tests.
I programmed the US1-40 to be non-dimming, connected a CFL load and it appears to work fine. The light does not flash intermittently when the UPB switch is off ... a problem that appears with some X10 modules. However, I noticed the CFL bulb emits a faint buzzing noise when operating. You need to be with two feet of the bulb to hear it. It does not make this noise if connected directly to the mains or via a relay-based X10 appliance module.
I realize the US1-40 is using a triac to handle the load, as opposed to a a set of relay contacts. The buzzing may be a symptom of an adverse interaction between the triac and the CFL bulb's electronics. I don't have any evidence but I can't help but feel that it will stress the bulb's electronic ballast and shorten its life (defeating the CFL bulb's purpose).
Perhaps this buzzing noise is more pronounced with some brands of CFL than others. Has anyone else noticed it? Has it caused a reduction in the bulb's lifespan?
I programmed the US1-40 to be non-dimming, connected a CFL load and it appears to work fine. The light does not flash intermittently when the UPB switch is off ... a problem that appears with some X10 modules. However, I noticed the CFL bulb emits a faint buzzing noise when operating. You need to be with two feet of the bulb to hear it. It does not make this noise if connected directly to the mains or via a relay-based X10 appliance module.
I realize the US1-40 is using a triac to handle the load, as opposed to a a set of relay contacts. The buzzing may be a symptom of an adverse interaction between the triac and the CFL bulb's electronics. I don't have any evidence but I can't help but feel that it will stress the bulb's electronic ballast and shorten its life (defeating the CFL bulb's purpose).
Perhaps this buzzing noise is more pronounced with some brands of CFL than others. Has anyone else noticed it? Has it caused a reduction in the bulb's lifespan?