[Elecraft] OT: LED Light Bulbs

[Jim - N4ST]

I have noticed the background noise level growing on the HF bands, and for me, especially on 18 Mhz.  I need to declare war on RFI and find out what is causing this.  I did carefully checkout some Walmart "100 W" LED lights before committing to them and they were fine.

_________ 
73,
Jim - N4ST

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bob McGraw K4TAX
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2017 11:32
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: LED Light Bulbs

Makes me wonder if at all or how frequently production lots are evaluated to determine if they are in FCC Part 15 compliance.

Otherwise, the approach "we evaluated one production lot, deemed it passed" {a.k.a - I saw it work once, ship it}  and then produced a million or so afterwards including those with some engineering changes and cost down changes.

Guess I need to power the radio from the tractor battery and dump the main breaker in the house to see how much the noise changes.

73

Bob, K4TAX



On 10/21/2017 9:48 AM, w4sc wrote:
> An observation:
>
> I too had RFI from LED lights, but the interference was to OTA television, Channel 10 (192-198 MHz) DTV.
>
> Not all LED bulbs are created equal in this regard, RFI reduction / elimination.  The RFI was generated in this case by the SMPS integral to the bulb.
>
> The offending bulb is Utilitech part # 5DG6 (printed on the bulb) and is ‘C  UL  US’ listed, purchased from LOWEs.
>
> I have a overhead fixture that was populated with four 800 lumen (60w?) bulbs, 2 being Utilitech, and 2 Sylvania OSRAM.
>
> By removing the bulbs and observing channel 10 reception, the offending bulb was determined to be the Utilitech.
>
> I replaced the the the Utilitech bulbs with Sylvania OSRAM, and the RFI on channel 10 OTA was eliminated.
>
> The Sylvania OSRAM part number used is LED8.5A19/DIM/0/827/G5/RP as printed on the box UPC, and were purchased from LOWEs also.
>
> NOTE: There may be interference from Sylvania OSRAM bulbs on other frequencies.  LED bulbs are required to meet FCC Part 15 FCC, Class B regulations.
>
> YMMV
>
> I have not seen a comprehensive report or article that unveils “good” vs “bad” LED bulb manufacturer and part identification as far as RFI emissions across the spectrum.
>
> Ben W4SC
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