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paul_ma_gw

LED buzz inconsistently

4 years ago

I just installed new Lutron Maestro MACL153M dimmers, replacing older MA-600 dimmers installed professionally several years ago. I did this so I can use LED bulbs. I've put these dimmers on several circuits of ceiling cans. All were fine. Then I replaced the bulbs in two of the circuits with LED bulbs. (Satco Dimmable 12.5W 3000K 40° 90 CRI PAR30S LED Bulb.) (I chose bulbs that seemed to be supported by these dimmers.)


One circuit, with four bulbs, is fine. The other, with six bulbs, has issues. There is a faint buzz. Seemed to come from one of the bulbs. But I removed that one and then it seemed to come from another. Removed that one and it was still present. So I guess perhaps it is coming from all the bulbs.


In addition, this dimmer is acting a bit flaky. Sometimes when it is off and I click to turn it on the lights flick on and immediately off again. Then when I click again they come on correctly. Other times the lights come on without problem.


What could be causing this? How can I fix it?

Comments (8)

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    "I chose bulbs that seemed to be supported by these dimmers."

    That bulb is not listed on the compatible bulbs chart for MACL dimmers at www.lutron.com/macl

    "Sometimes when it is off and I click to turn it on the lights flick on and immediately off again. Then when I click again they come on correctly."

    You need to follow the instructions in Step 8 of the Installation Instructions to make sure that the dimming range is not set so low that the bulbs do not fire when switched on.

    I have found the Lutron LED+ dimmers to be extraordinarily compatible. I did have to replace a Maestro with a Diva because the LEDs drew so little power that they would not turn off completely without the physical switch.

  • 4 years ago

    You need to study the specs carefully. I’ve encountered compatibility issues occasionally. Ask the company for tech help if you need it.

  • 4 years ago

    wdccruise, good point about dimming range. I hadn't done that, but now have. These bulbs were stable at the lowest level.


    Regarding bulb choice: for my setup I need PAR30 short neck bulbs. I've been wanting to change to LED for a long time, but until recently I couldn't find any suitable bulbs available. Using the Lutron compatibility tool I now find only GE bulbs listed that will work for me. Those aren't available on the big online bulb suppliers. It does look like they should be available in the big box stores. (Though I haven't found them when looking in the past.)


    I'm thinking that because the same bulbs are working fine in another circuit they ought to work in this one too. I'd rather not have to spend $60 on new bulbs for this circuit if the bulbs aren't the problem. So I'm wondering what else might be wrong.


    I thought of contacting Lutron support, but are they going to tell me anything other than to use bulbs on their compatibility list?

  • 4 years ago

    I've had good luck with Euri PAR bulbs. The Euri EP30-11W6000es is compatible with the Lutron MACL-153M according to the spec sheet linked to the web page.

  • 4 years ago

    Try working in the opposite order. Check Satco's website for compatible dimmers. Way cheaper to switch the dimmer again than to switch out the bulbs.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    @mcarroll16: "Check Satco's website for compatible dimmers."

    The bulb appears to be the Satco S29416 and the Lutron MACL-153M appears on its compatible dimmers list.

  • 4 years ago

    We just installed a whole house of Maestro Pro LED+ Dimmers and we had buzzing as well. I tried some Euri bulbs A-19 bulbs (EL-EA19-5W5041cec-2) because I was searching for 4000k bulbs. I ended up having to return them and get Philips bulbs that the Lutron website approved. The Philips don’t buzz. I also have to swap out two LED fixtures because they refused to work with any dimmer our electrician tried. I’m finding while LED tech has been around awhile it still has much to be desired about compatibility.

    I have read if lower voltage fans or lights are blinking (which the original post is not about it) could be the need of a switch that has a neutral wire installed. Best of luck.

  • 4 years ago

    wdccruise, thank you for checking. Yes indeed the bulbs I am using are S29416. Where did you find them in a compatibility chart? The only chart I could find stopped before S10000. And same for a tool I found.

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