Florescent Ceiling Bedroom Light

[ALWX65]

I’m doing some wiring and stuff on my parent’s new house they just bought. It was built in 1959. I am not certified or licensed but do know enough to do the wiring/lights/switches they want replace.

Here is my question, in a bed room I put in a florescent ceiling fan that Mom got from the big orange store. Was simple enough, replaced the switch as well. Thought all was good, did this on Saturday. My Dad calls me today and says he didn’t notice until last night but the light flickers even when switch is off. This is one of them 8 inches or so round lights with a florescent bulb and no ballast that I can remember seeing. I don’t remember right now but the switch may have been a lighted, it’s a rocker style.

Where do I start looking for a problem? Some things in the house are wired hot first then run to the switch, bathroom fan and light were this way and messed me up until I figured it all out. Is it the switch, if it’s a lighted one which I don’t remember right now, or is it something else? Any input would be grateful.

ALW

 

[pattenp]

Sounds to me that the switch is installed in the wrong place, ie: after the light on neutral side, along with the lighted feature of the switch causing a problem.

 

[VHF]

Lighted switches typically don't use a neutral--they rely on passing a small amount of current through the filiment in the bulb. That works fine with an incandescent bulb, but leads to strage results with a florescent or LED bulb!

 

[ALWX65]

Quick update, switch is a lighted rocker, pulled bulb out of socket, its one of those new style bulb with two studs on the bottom, measured voltage at socket with light on, 116v and 66v with switch off. Had an incandescent light fixture before. If its wired wrong I guess no one ever new. With this info any new suggestions ....

ALW