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Problems with LED bulbs and DAB radio
Interference from low energy light bulbs, which now comes under the broad heading of Electromagnetic Compatibility or EMC, has been a problem since the first compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) went on sale in the early 1990s.
CFL technology has improved but interference from light bulbs is now back on the agenda, with a vengeance, following the appearance of low cost, energy-saving LED light bulbs, and this just happens to coincide with the growth in popularity of DAB radio. It is caused by the electronic ‘driver’ circuits, which convert mains electricity to the low voltages used to power LEDs, and it all depends on how well these circuits have been designed.
For the most part it is not a problem with branded LED bulbs made in the EU, which should have the CE mark and be labelled as EMC compliant. The majority of complaints concern cheap LED bulbs, mostly made in China, which do not meet standards for radio frequency interference (RFI), and it doesn’t help that some cheap DAB radios do not conform to EMC standards for immunity or susceptibility to interference.
Unfortunately there is no easy fix. In fact it will probably only get worse as LED bulbs proliferate and it is unlikely that non-compliant bulbs will be banned any time soon. On the plus side the interference tends to be very localised and there are a few things that you can do to reduce or eliminate the effects.
Switching to EMC compliant bulbs should work, but only buy one, and see if that makes a difference. Re-orientate or move the DAB radio as far as possible from the lamps; make sure that the antenna is not close to any mains cables or wall sockets, and try plugging the radio into another mains socket. Incidentally, if a lighting system has been installed by a qualified electrician it will be down to them to sort out any problems with interference.
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