strange glowing led bulbs..........???

steven_191 · Nearly there... Joined: 31 May 2009 Karma :

my dad just put in some led bulbs.

similar to these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/GU10-White-Energy-Saving-Ceiling/dp/B003BJP1HE/ref=sr_1_19?s=lighting&ie=UTF8&qid=1328558688&sr=1-19

when the light is OFF two of the bulbs are glowing very dimly. Enough to notice in the dark. The third is fine. Swapped the bulbs around and put the standard GU10 back in and the standard one is fine. The led one glow wherever it is.

Im guessing either the bulbs is buggered or its picking up some induced voltage, enough to cause a bit of current flow as these are leds and require bugger all to light up compared to the standard 50w.

anyone seen this before? not this one obviously, but seen it somewhere else?

t121anf · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Feb 2007 Karma :

yeap its getting some current from somewhere.

i have them in the porch which is using a security switch (has a light sensor in it) it requires a 25w lamp to stop the current, led ones are always on dim.

swap for 50w halogens and no light comes on, same with CFLs (7w)

wouldn't worry about it.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

It'll be getting a tiny amount of current through something.

You get some real oddities with 240V A.C.

My outdoor light was doing something similar in exactly the way t121anf describes. I got the meter on it and it turns out there is something like 27V AC measurable between the the lamp positive and an earth connection even with the switch turned off.

Measured the amps and it was something like 3mA. Just enough to make an LED glow feebly.

The explanation I'd given myself is there is probably enough current flowing through the cables in the mains circuit to induce a 3mA current if the wires are paralell to one another.

I wouldn't worry about it. If you're concerned, try measuring the amperage between the two lamp terminals with it turned off, I bet it's next to nothing, maybe tens of milliamps range (although I'll warn you if there is a significant current, it could damage your meter so start high and work down).
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steven_191 · Nearly there... Joined: 31 May 2009 Karma :

I guessed an induced current. It's probably got something to do with the 50+ year old wiring and lack of earthing.