Do LED light fixtures interfere with TMCC signal?

LED fixtures can interfere with the TMCC or DCS signal, I have experienced it personally!  It's actually probably the switching power supply in the fixture, at least it was in my case.

I have LED lighting on my workbench, and it was driven by a small switching power module.  Obviously, it was a "dirty" module emitting EMI.  With the bench lights on, I couldn't work on command equipment on the bench.  When I finally figured it out, I replaced the switching power supply with a transformer based linear supply, problem solved.

I don’t know about TMCC but some LED bulbs interfere with garage door opener signals.  I replaced my incandescent bulbs in the powerhead with LED’s and my garage door wouldn’t open with the remote sometimes.  Turns out if the bulbs were on (like if someone had just closed the door), then they killed the signal and the remote wouldn’t work.  It’s a known issue.  If you go to Lowe’s/Home Depot, they sell bulbs specifically for garage door openers.

No questions are dumb. Best way to find out is to shut off fixtures and run trains. If you still have issues, then it is most likely not the fixtures. Even if you have to remove the led tubes, that should give you a good idea, if not a definitive answer.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have 6 led shop lights over my layout and never had an issue.

Was the layout set up and working previous to the fixture install?

Are they simply plug in fixtures?

Was wiring from the breaker box changed?

As mentioned, do they run normally with the lights off?

Thanks for the info.  We haven't tried running with the lights off but will be doing so when several of us get together next week to work on the problem.  In the meantime I'm trying to collect all the info I can, including adding ground wires between the tracks, so we can do some serious trouble shooting.  The light fixtures are typical shop lights but with LED tubes and are plugged into a series of extension cords.

Possibly your array of the extension cords? Rather than the lights?

I have LED light fixtures above my layout with no problems what so ever.   I am not using TMCC, just the Lionel remotes using the transmitters and loco receivers supplied by Lionel.   I do know the LED fixtures interfered with FM radio broadcast (OTA) big time.  I had to install an outdoor antenna!   FM uses the 88-108 MH spectrum, but the LED fixtures may cause problems with other frequencies as well.  Like others have said, turn off the lights and see what happens. 

We will be having a work session next week and if it turns out the fixtures are interfering I will certainly post.   Thanks.

At the Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club we have over 50 LED  flood lamps in track lighting suspended over the layout with no problems of interference. 

At my home layout I have 5 500 watt equivelant LED bulbs and 6 85 watt equivalent spots in can lighting.  I haven't experienced any interference either.

I have LED tubes above my layout and several individual LED lights also, plus a large number of them on the layout and in coaches without a problem. I should mention the my LED tubes are installed with the ballasts removed.

Ray

This is a wild card, but plugging the tmcc command base power supply into a coiled up extension cord between it and and the wall plug is a known problem for the tmcc signal. No coiling allowed!

You most likely know this, but if an extension cord is used it must be 3 wire. Also the command base power supply must be the Lionel unit with the round grounding pin.

Good luck, Rod

All my LED lighting is direct connect to the 120 volts AC.  No switching in my basement.  These darn switching power supplies are a real headache for HAM/CB operators and those who like to use their vintage tube AM radios.  Noise galore.