I need a way to turn off my kids’ reading lights after a certain amount of time (otherwise they fall asleep with the light beaming right in their face). I thought I’d use the Leviton Scene Capable Plug-In Outlets to set up a scene that turns them off after 15 minutes (or whatever). Unfortunately, when I turn either the Dimmer Module (Leviton VRPD3) or the Appliance Module (Leviton VRPA1) OFF, the reading light in my daughter’s room will blink every second. These are both 3 Watt LED reading lights. However, my son’s light does not blink. Is this a problem with just the Leviton plug-in modules, or all z-wave plug-in modules? I’m going to return these, but I’m wondering if this is just a “feature” of z-wave modules before I try the GE or AEON Labs modules.
I’ll also note that even though these are “dimming” modules, they will not dim the reading lights (maybe because they are drawing too little wattage).
Thanks,
Steve
Your issue is due to using a dimmer with incompatible bulbs. Are the LED bulbs you are using even classified as dimmable? No matter, they’re incompatible with your dimmer and probably most all dimmers.
Use appliance modules(On/Off non-dimming) or find dimmable bulbs that are compatible.
I did try the appliance module (On/Off only - Leviton VRPA1). When switched OFF, the light would flash as well. I wonder if I changed the polling interval to “0” (meaning never poll) if that would stop the flashing. Seems like it’s flashing every second which would be in line with a default polling interval. Either way, I think I need to return them. I was just hoping that this isn’t a known occurrence with other plug-in modules.
Figured I’d update with some additional notes on my trials here. I tried the Aeon Labs DSC06106-ZWUS plug in energy module and it does not cause the reading light to flash when it is off. So, I’m guessing this may be something specific to the Leviton devices.
The flickering is due to a current passed through the bulb for load sensing. This is to be expected using dimming modules, and I have also seen it with a few appliance modules while using LED lighting.
Update: The two Enerwave dimmers (ZWN-323) I purchased do not flicker.
From what I can read on other sites, the Leviton modules – including the ‘appliance’ one that is supposedly on/off – have a high leakage current when off; i.e., they don’t fully turn off. This isn’t a problem with appliances, or even incandescent/halogen lighting, but it can be with some CFL and LED lighting.
I have two of the on/off style, and I can clearly hear a relay click inside, so the load is probably being switched. My personal theory is that they need a little bit of power to keep the Z-Wave running, and provide this in a manner that doesn’t fully turn off the output. (It’s done a lot in lower-cost consumer products to save $$.) I don’t have a problem with using them with a pair of CFL lights in my den, but what you’re describing sounds like a slow buildup on a capacitor somewhere, which then tries – but doesn’t succeed – in turning the nightlight on, then the whole things starts over again. It might be partially due to electronics inside your nightlight. I’ve read reports of LED lights that don’t even turn off. You might find that another brand of nightlight behaves differently.
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If your Z-Wave module has both power, and ground connectors, and of course a load connector … you will not have a problem with most LEDS and even CFLs.
Here the Z-Wave chip gets it’s power from the power and ground connector.
If your Z-Wave module has ONLY a Power and LOAD wire … it is designed for resistive type loads (incandescent/halogen, motors, heaters, …)
In this case the Z-Wave module sucks a little power through the Load when the load is normally “off”, in order to get it’s power.
For CFLs, it may not provide enough power and the Z-Wave will not work. For low power LEDs, this low leakage may be enough to cause the LED to turn on.
I know how that’s supposed to work, but there are tons of reviews at Amazon, Jet, etc. on the Leviton dimmer and on/off module saying that owners are having trouble with LED and other very-low-power devices. But I can clearly hear a relay kicking in on mine. I’m having no problems. YMMV.
Some models have a RELAY, some do NOT.
The ones that have a RELAY, also require a ground connector.