Why Ceiling Fan Lights Flash or Strobe
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I installed new ceiling fans with lights, why do some lights strobe and flash? How to Fix Ceiling Fan Lights that Strobe or Flash. © By: Dave Rongey |
Problem with Ceiling Fan Lights
Electrical Question: I installed new ceiling fans with lights, why do some lights strobe and flash?
My electrical wiring project involves a problem with the ceiling fan lights in our home.
- Installed four new ceiling fans with lights. I added generic remote controls to all four units. In one room only, the fan and lights work fine as long as I use the wall switch for off and on control. The pull chain switches on the fans work as they should. However, if I turn off the lights using the remote control, three of the lights out of four on the fan strobe. What is the problem?!
This electrical wiring question came from Evelyn, a Handywoman in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Additional Comments: Your website is always a source for experienced, knowledgeable experts. I have recommended it to friends.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Evelyn.
Problem with Ceiling Fan Lights that Strobe or Flash
Application: Fix a Ceiling Fan Light Problem.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor. or Certified Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Ceiling Fan Light, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Ceiling Fan Light should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
How to Fix Ceiling Fan Lights that Strobe or Flash
Common Cause of Ceiling Fan Light Problems
The most common cause of ceiling fan lights that strobe like this is due to wrong size light bulbs, more specifically, the light bulb size may be too large, so I would check this first and make sure they are the recommended size.
Additional Possibilities with Ceiling Fan Light Strobe
Because the lights strobe when the remote is used to turn them off the remote control module may not be wired correctly – so double check the wire connections and make sure they are correct according to the wiring diagram and instructions which were provided with the remote control units.
Are you using LED light bulbs? If so make sure the remote control unit is fully compatible with LED lights, and make sure the LED lights are Dimmable.
Check the Ceiling Fan Remote Control
Are the remote control modules addressed individually?
If the remote modules are set to the same address this could cause confusion with other modules in the same location. Generally this is not a problem, but it would depend on the specific control modules you have.
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