With the introduction of LED technology to the lighting market, new concepts have been introduced into the world of lighting. One of them is the so-called “residual current”. This is a phenomenon until now unknown because it did not happen with old light bulbs (incandescent, halogen, etc.).

Why do some light bulbs flicker?

The main cause of this flicker effect is due to a current coming from the circuit that passes through the LED luminaire. Since this type of technology is very sensitive to these small currents, as soon as something circulates through them, it seems that they stay on or in some cases that annoying flickering occurs.

Among the most common causes is a switch with a light indicator, a normal switch that no longer cuts 100% due to the passage of time, or a residual current from some point that returns through the neutral wire.

How to solve the flickering?

To solve this problem, simply change the switch for a normal one without an indicator light or place an anti-flicker device (a capacitor) that diverts that small current and prevents it from entering the bulb so that it does not remain dimly lit. I am attaching the link in case you are interested.

The connection diagram of this type of device is shown below

As can be seen in the photograph, this device is connected in parallel between the phase and neutral cables of the luminaire, as a bridge, and it retains that small residual current, preventing the bulbs from remaining partially lit or blinking.

Steps to prevent a flickering light bulb

Residual current is a phenomenon that in many cases has always existed but until we made the change to LED, we were not aware of it. To avoid this type of “problem” it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the electrical installation to see possible current returns, check and/or change the switches since due to use they wear out and do not finish cutting, so they let that small current escape.