What is Ripple Effect?

Causes, Remedies and LED Lighting Solutions

A ripple effect, in the simplest of terms, is found when your LED lighting suddenly starts to flicker. There’s a reason behind it and expert solutions to remedy its effects.

Want to know more about the causes and remedies of a ripple effect? Find out more with the LED lighting specialists at Nedlands Group.

Understanding the ripple effect

The ripple effect is generated when energy suppliers reduce the energy amount provided to certain areas, at certain times.

Why is this?

• The ripple effect helps facilitate the on-peak demand for electricity, ensuring what the electricity grid can accommodate is (more than) sufficient.

When is on-peak demand?

• It’s between 7am and 10am, and then again from 5pm to 10pm when most people are home, consuming the most amount of electricity.

So, why does my LED lighting flicker?

• As electricity providers lower energy amounts to manage and meet on-peak demand, your home (as with others in the area) will receive less energy.
• The electrical current serving your LED lights will be decreased, potentially leading to slightly and temporarily flickering lights.

Other factors may come into play that cause the ripple effect. Let’s look first at remedying the ripple effect, before exploring other causes.

Remedying the ripple effect

There’s three effective ways to remedy the reality of the ripple effect in your home or business.

Where you live and the severity of the experienced ripple effect needs to be factored in, too.

Let’s discuss:

• Get more of an electrical current to your LED lighting

This is easily achieved by turning up your dimmer. Why? Because turning up the dimmer increases the power amount required by the light.

• Install a load bypass device

What’s this? It’s a cleverly designed device that improves dimming and switching performance on potentially problematic lights.

It can be installed on the first lamp of every lighting circuit, and/or behind the switch.

• Use a ripple signal filter

Specifically tuned to quash ripple effect signal frequency is what a ripple signal is all about.

These can be installed on electrical boards.

The ripple effect on humans and LED lighting

Anyone can guess that flickering lights aren’t good for humans. And that’s 100% true!

There’s visible and invisible flickers of lights, but did you know that our brains can detect light flicker frequencies up to 200HZ and 100HZ, even though they’re not visible to the naked eye?

Adverse effects from constantly flickering light events could cause:

• Headaches
• Eye tension and vision impairment
• Neurological problems for already susceptible people.

When it comes to the ripple effect on LED lighting, there are causes and issues presented.

• LED Drivers

Don’t use an unmatched driver for a LED light – use only the one recommended by the manufacturer.

• Avoid overloaded circuits and excessive over-use of electricity (where applicable)
• Loose wiring

Seek help from an electrician to rectify and tighten up flexible points in your wiring.

Nedlands Group have the expert advice and high-quality LED lighting solutions to lessen the ripple effect in your home and business.

Looking for practical and affordable LED lighting solutions?

Contact Nedlands Group today for fast, simple and cost-effective supply of LED lighting products and accessories including Power-Lite.