Finish Phase|Step 35 of 37
Test All Fixtures
Before declaring your lighting upgrade complete, test every fixture systematically. Catch problems now while solutions are easy to implement.
Time Required
30-60 minutes
Cost
$0
Difficulty
Easy
Testing Checklist
Basic Function
Every switch turns on its light. Every bulb illuminates. No dead spots or burnt-out bulbs.
Dimmer Performance
Smooth dimming from 0-100%. No flickering at any level. No jump at low end.
No Buzzing
Listen with room quiet. No buzzing from bulbs or dimmers. Common with incompatible LED/dimmer combos.
3-Way Switches
Both switch locations work correctly. Dimmer works from either position.
Common Issues and Fixes
- Flickering: Usually dimmer/LED incompatibility. Try different LED brand or upgrade dimmer.
- Buzzing: Same cause as flickering. ELV dimmer may solve it. Or non-dimmable on dimmer.
- Dim at low end: Adjust dimmer's low-end trim if available. Some LEDs just don't go very low.
- Delayed start: Some LEDs have slight delay. Usually acceptable. Try different brand if annoying.
- Color mismatch: Mixed brands or batches. Replace mismatched bulbs with same make/model.
Smart Lighting Tests
- App control: All devices respond to app commands promptly.
- Voice commands: Test each room by name. "Turn on the kitchen."
- Scenes activate: Each scene sets all lights to correct levels.
- Schedules work: Wait for a scheduled event or test with temporary time.
- Physical switch: Manual switch still works (important for family/guests).
Pro Tips
- •Test at night: Lighting issues are most noticeable in darkness.
- •Check from seating: Look at fixtures from where you'll actually use them.
- •Run for an hour: Some issues only appear after fixtures warm up.
- •Document issues: Make note of problems to address in fine-tuning step.