I've tried several brands of LED retrofit can lights in my basement, and 3 of the 4 emit a buzzing sound, even when the dimmer is set to full brightness.
The dimmer I'm using is the Lutron PD-5NE.
I'm a homeowner, not an electrician. I hired an electrician- he was unable to figure out what's causing the buzzing sound.
Here's a video I made in which I demonstrate the buzzing sound:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9abl5XAV0rE
Complete information with every detail I can think of:
https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/LED-lights-buzzing-Ben--CJ1lHcnT7Eb6dqGB2yYt7YlEAQ-ipyQ0u9LBgMdv1r2yNW8J
Summary of problem
- Video demonstration on YouTube
- In the basement, I have 8 ceiling lights connected to one light switch.
- The switch is an expensive ELV switch from Lutron: the PD-5NE.
- These ELV switches generally work very well. They’re specifically designed to be used with LED lights.
- This switch requires a neutral wire.
- 6 of the 8 ceiling lights have “can” housings.
- This is the model of cans that we have: The Halo H7RICAT
- These cans are very difficult to remove.
- Each can has a junction box which is virtually impossible to access.
- Installed into the cans are 6 LED “retrofit” lights made by Juno.
- Here’s a link to the retrofit lights - Juno 65BEMW HL SWW5.
- These 6 lights emit a buzzing sound when installed inside the cans and turned on.
- The buzzing occurs when the lights are at full brightness and when dimmed.
- When the lights are lowered from the cans, still connected to the power, and turned on, the buzzing stops.
- If I remove the switch and connect the 2 wires together (this is called “bypassing the switch”) then the lights turn on and do not buzz.
- The remaining 2 of the 8 lights are “canless” wafer lights, also made by Juno.
- Here is a link to the wafer lights. Juno WF6 SWW5.
- The wafer lights do not buzz.
- These lights have a copper water pipe and an HVAC duct above them.
- I assume this is why the contractor didn’t installs cans here.
- The only other things on the same circuit (that I’m aware of) are a pair of LED ceiling lights in our 1st floor pantry.
- I wonder if these lights are causing the problem.
Other notes
- We have 6 Juno canless LED wafer lights in our upstairs bedroom.
- They’re great— silent operation on a basic Lutron PD6-WCL switch
- I turned off every breaker on the breaker box one at a time. This did not stop the buzzing.
- I spoke to an electrician about the buzzing and he is unable to pinpoint the cause.
- If the noise is caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI), I could try wrapping the fixtures in “Faraday fabric” like this or even try aluminum foil.
- I placed an order for 4 different brands of LED 6-inch retrofit lights.
- Update 2/19 - 3 of them arrived, and 2 of those 3 buzz. Scroll down for more information on this,
- I like the Juno lights a lot and would like to keep them or replace them with a light that I like equally.
Product images
Product Image Lutron switch
- High quality ELV dimmer
- If I bypass the switch, the buzzing stops
Halo can housing
- These were here when I bought the house
- 7 of the 10 lights in my basement have these cans
- Very difficult to remove
Juno “retrofit” lights
- These buzz loudly when in the cans and very softly when out of the cans
Juno “wafer” lights
- These do not buzz
Testing out different brands of retrofit “can” lights
Brand + Model Result Satco S11835
- Tested on 2/19/24
- Emits a soft buzz which gets louder when dimmed
LUXRITE LR23795
- Tested on 2/19/24
- Silent
Maxxima MRL-615205B
- Tested on 2/19/24
- Emits a buzzing sound even when out of the can
Nora NOXTW-5631BB
- Arriving February 26 - February 29