Fluorescent fixture killing smart switch?

[gtae07]

We have several GE “smart” switches in our house, tied into a Smarthings hub. Generally they work very well, but the switch for our kitchen light (a 4x4ft T8 fixture) is acting flaky again. The previous one would sometimes refuse to turn off (the solenoid would click but no change) and eventually died, and now the replacement (6 months old?) is refusing to do anything. Resetting the breaker might fix it for a while but eventually it will probably die too.

Is there anything in a fluorescent fixture that could be killing this switch?

 

[Bert_]

Check the rating on the switch. There's usually a ballast rating for fluorescent or LED fixtures. Since you're only controlling one fixture I doubt this is the issue but would be a good thing to start with.

 

[cybrdyke]

T8 electronic ballasts can produce high amounts of inrush current. Normally this isn't too much of a problem for standard switches as their contacts are fairly robust. Perhaps the contacts in the smart switch are a tad delicate, or perhaps there is something else in them that doesn't like it.
Also, if the smart switch isn't turning the lights OFF, it's possible that the RFI from the ballast is messing with the signal. Turning them ON shouldn't be a problem.
CD

 

[Zeke]

I've never had any smart light switches, they all look dumb to me.

OK, I won't quit my day job. I did have some Leviton programmable switches and reading the info in the box I find out that they are for tungsten lights only. Now that is funny right there because we can't buy any regular tungsten lamps in CA. And they were a real PITA to operate. So even though they were over 6 months old and installed the entire time, I took them back to the HD and asked for my money back saying that if you don't sell the bulbs, why do you sell the switch that won't operate a CFL of LED?

Got my money, no questions. The point is, did you read the box?

 

[SGKent]

I've never had any smart light switches, they all look dumb to me.

OK, I won't quit my day job. I did have some Leviton programmable switches and reading the info in the box I find out that they are for tungsten lights only. Now that is funny right there because we can't buy any regular tungsten lamps in CA. And they were a real PITA to operate. So even though they were over 6 months old and installed the entire time, I took them back to the HD and asked for my money back saying that if you don't sell the bulbs, why do you sell the switch that won't operate a CFL of LED?

Got my money, no questions. The point is, did you read the box?

Coming into Cal-i-for-ni-a .... so what did you get arrested for.... bringing a filament light bulb across state lines.... . It wasn't a bright idea... .

 

[pattenp]

Convert the fixture to LED.

 

[Bert_]

Convert the fixture to LED.

That sounds suspiciously like a parts cannon...

 

[pattenp]

That sounds suspiciously like a parts cannon...

I've used the cannon before...

 

[gtae07]

I've used the cannon before...

I try to avoid the parts cannon approach where possible...

But then, the wife hates that entire fixture anyway so replacing it might be feasible. The trick will be patching the drywall and matching paint on the ceiling...