Troubleshooting: Flickering or flashing lights

If your lights flicker of flash, the root cause is generally due to incorrect, incompatibility, or using an incorrect device profile configuration.

The below issues may cause this problem and should be checked and verified.

Correct Profile: The Casambi device Profile must be correct for the driver or load being used. Different types of load require different Profiles. For example, a DT6 DALI driver needs a different profile than a DT8 RGB driver, or a 1-10V analogue driver. Profiles can be changed using the Casambi app. Profile information for Casambi CBU’s is available on the product datasheet.

Non-dimmable load used: Trying to dim a load that has not been designed to be dimmable will cause flickering or flashing because the load is being supplied with electrical parameters for which it has not been designed. This can also be an electrical safety issue because the load may overheat! Check the technical data for the load being used and replace the load with a dimmable one if it is not clearly indicated to be dimmable.

The load has a poor dimming range: Some loads are not designed to dim below a certain dimmed level. If flicker or flashing only occur when dimming, either replace with a load that dims better at low levels or adjust the luminaire properties in the Casambi app to limit the minimum dimming level to one where the load does not flicker of flash.

Insufficient LED load connected: LED drivers have a maximum AND a minimum load that can be connected for them to operate correctly. Having a too small load connected means that the driver is not supplying the correct electrical parameters to the LEDs.

Excessive LED load connected: LED drivers have a maximum AND a minimum load that can be connected for them to operate correctly. Overloading the output means the driver is not supplying the correct electrical parameters to the LEDs.

Loose wiring: Intermittent electrical connections are a common source of flicker or flashing load. Check all wiring is firmly and correctly connected.

Wrong wiring: Check all wiring is correctly connected according to the datahsheets of the Casambi device and the load being used.

LED driver is placed too far from the Casambi device: Voltage will drop along long wires. If the Casambi control device is placed at a significant distance from the driver it is trying to control, it may result in an invalid control signal reaching the driver. This is particularly applicable when using DALI drivers. Always install the Casambi device physically as close as possible to the driver/load. In general both the driver and Casambi device should be in the same physical luminaire (there are some exceptions depending on the Casambi device being used).

Once all of the above factors have been thoroughly checked and ruled out, please contact Casambi Support for further advice.