Wiring Question - Rheostat and Rocker switch in series, lights are still on?

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by Cal_stir

if you cut power to driver, the driver will discharge its internal capacitors and the leds will give a bright flash like lightning.
the meanwell driver requires an external 10v power source for the dim circuit, normally u would use a 10k pot with a 10volt power supply to get your 0-10v for dimming, the drivers do not shut off completely but a 5k resistor across the led terminals will stop the glow and the leds will be off.

Not sure I fully understand this. I'm assuming using a mechanical switch properly wired would not be much different than when you unplug or plug in a meanwell driver? Would you not then get a lightning flash every time you unplug the driver? If so, then it's not a good design. You'd think they would have a 'bleed' circuit in the driver similar to more conventional ballasts to prevent capacitors from discharging into a connected load. Please explain further if possible. Have you witnessed this lightning flash in a circuit so configured?

[Cal_stir]

I have 6 meanwell ELN-60-48D drivers running my leds, if I cut the AC power to the drivers I get a brief lightning show as the capacitors discharge, if I cut the DC power to the leds then no show.
I keep the AC power on all the time and use my RKE ALC to control the dimming but the leds don't completely go out (faint glow), however, installing a 5k resistor across the output terminals of the driver remedies this and the leds go completely out.

[mike31154]

Interesting. Thanks for that. Do you suppose the lightning phenomenon harms the LEDs long/short term? Something to consider for folks planning to use this type of driver.

[Snaz]

On both my DIY setups when the AC is cut the lights slowly fade out over 20 seconds or so, presumably as the capacitors discharge. No lightning effect.

I ended up not using the rocker switch in my original post. Thanks all.
Keith