I have had some re-plastering and re-decorating work done in my kitchen. I had a new light fixture installed which takes 6 GU10 type bulbs. When the light fixture was first installed I placed 6 LED bulbs into it. The bulbs are Aurora branded and consume 7W of power each.
When I switch on the light it trips out the power on the Residual Current Detector (RCD) in my house. We assumed the problem was with the old wiring – perhaps it got damaged when the work was being done. So we ran a new wire to the fixture from a new light switch.
The power still tripped out. Next we assumed the light fitting itself was faulty, so we returned it and got another.
Still the power trips out.
Then I thought it might be the LED bulbs, so I swapped them out for the 6 Halogen bulbs that came for free with the fixture – it works perfectly!
So the problem seems to be with the LEDs, but how can LED bulbs cause electrical problems? I paid £10 per bulb so wouldn't expect them to behave this way.
Best Answer
The LEDs do not light up (ie conduct) for a brief time after switch on. During that time there is current in the Live wire but not in the Neutral. The rcd reacts to this imbalance (residual current) by breaking the circuit. Neither the rcd nor the LED lighting system is faulty.