2 odd electrical issues.

[David Paul]

2 issues in house built 1979.
I have 2 lights, 1 in attic, 1 by front door. SPST switches for each. When I turn either led light on it takes 5-7 seconds before the light lights. Same happen with the old style bulbs. Both light switches have been replaced for aesthetic reasons as have the light fixtures themselves but the issue remains. Loose connection somewhere? How to trace?
The second issue, replaced bedroom table lamp with 60 watt equivalent LED. Turn light off at spst wall switch, the led light still lit but very dimly only visible in dark room. Turn light at lamp itself, led completely off. Thoughts? Somewhere hot/neutral switched?
Thanks

 

[rlitman]

Many illuminated switches pass through enough current that LED bulbs will glow. Is your bedroom wall switch lit?
As for the attic, many LED drivers age poorly, and the heat of the attic could have caused them to fail like that, where the lights take some seconds to come on.

 

[David Paul]

Standard spst switches, not illuminated. Led light in attic is new. Thanks for the input though.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Simple! Replace the "offending" LED bulbs with in incandescent bulbs and see what happens.……. Most likely nothing is wrong circuit.

 

[The Cobbler]

^^^ OP already has tried "old style bulbs" ... assuming that's good ole tungsten

 

[The Cobbler]

is there a light sensor in the circuit perhaps?

 

[Wrench97]

I wonder if there is a open neutral and attic and porch are pulling neutral through the lamp?

 

[David Paul]

Partial update. #2 issue solved. Replaced cheap, free utility supplied led, with a quality led, issue solved. Apparently it is common issue with a couple of reasons for the led to light dimly with the wall switch off. Goggle “dim led with switch off” if interested in the causes. Cheap led being #1.

 

[justsam]

When you had incandescent bulbs is place were they at normal intensity or somewhat dimmed? Are the two lights in question on the same circuit/breaker or two different circuits which should narrow it down as to having one, or perhaps two problems. Once circuit is determined, what else is on that circuit? Is this exclusively a lighting circuit, (15 Amp), or are there receptacles on the circuit as well. There is a loose connection someplace, that when switch is thrown it arcs for a bit before sealing the circuit. If this is true I am surprised that both LED and incandescent behaved the same. You have already changed switches and fixtures, just need to determine where else the circuit appears and check connections.

 

[David Paul]

Thanks justsam. The incandescent lights, once lit were full brightness. Good point on checking if both on same circuit. I had thought of that but then I didn’t.….lol My guess is that they are both on same circuit with an outlet or 2. Your explanation of throwing the switch then the arcing sounds dead on. To add to that theory the original outlets/switches are back stabbed.

 

[David Paul]

So, I’ve purchased 28 new commercial grade 15amp duplex outlets. Plan to inspect and replace all of the original back stab outlets in the house over the next 2 weeks. Hopefully that will cure issue 1. I’ll report back after replacements complete.

 

[dogdog]

In NJ, houses that are build back in the 1970s might be all aluminum wires. They can act weird when they are oxidized.

 

[David Paul]

In NJ, houses that are build back in the 1970s might be all aluminum wires. They can act weird when they are oxidized.

Fortunately my house was built in 1979 is all copper wiring.

 

[dogdog]

Fortunately my house was built in 1979 is all copper wiring.

Then check the circuit for any oxidized wiring or switch contacts ?
and maybe something like ... check make sure the Neutral and line are proper at the socket and check if the voltage are instant when switch is turned on or if it is ramping up ? you can buy one of those socket to plug adapters to make it easier. I remember something like that (lights taking few seconds to lite) for my hall way, that I have to rip the ceiling to replace the wiring...at that time my lights were those florescent bulbs. Wiring was bad from who knows when. I tested for voltage and it is fine, just scratching my head for a while.

 

[David Paul]

Then check the circuit for any oxidized wiring or switch contacts ?
and maybe something like ... check make sure the Neutral and line are proper at the socket and check if the voltage are instant when switch is turned on or if it is ramping up ? you can buy one of those socket to plug adapters to make it easier. I remember something like that (lights taking few seconds to lite) for my hall way, that I have to rip the ceiling to replace the wiring...at that time my lights were those florescent bulbs. Wiring was bad from who knows when. I tested for voltage and it is fine, just scratching my head for a while.

Yup, that’s the game plan, check each switch/outlet connection and voltage. While at each outlet I’ll replace the old with the new. Thanks.

 

[slimpickins]

Fortunately my house was built in 1979 is all copper wiring.

My last house was built in the 60's and it "had all copper wiring" ...... that is except for the DIY'er that added on some circuits with aluminum wire in the 70's. Didn't find it until I was renovating the basement and found aluminum and copper wire together under the same terminal on a duplex outlet ... and a nail that was holding the panel board on, that was stuck through the wiring when I pulled the panel board off. The wire was only notched into the surface of the 2x2 framing against the foundation walls in the basement.
You can't assume all your wiring is copper until you check it, as I learned from experience!
We had been living in the house for several months at that point, but when I found that, I was not able to sleep well until I checked every outlet and fixture in the house for any other aluminum and fortunately didn't find any! I slept much better after that.
I would be pulling that circuit apart until I was sure it was wired correctly and with no aluminum. Just sayin'
Better to be safe!

 

[David Paul]

Quick follow up. After replacing outlets and switches on two circuits, two lights that were slow coming on now turn on instantaneously. Progress. Again thanks to all that offered suggestions.

 

[cybrdyke]

Neutral shared with another circuit that has a small amount of latent voltage on it.
CD

 

[David Paul]

Final update. After installing the last of the new outlets/switches, all lights are now working properly. Thanks again for the help.