Commercial LED lighting system/ control panel

Could being between commercial LED lighting system and control panel of such cause interference of pacemaker causing it to pace unnecessarily ? Trish

4 Comments

Depends

by Theknotguy - 2015-04-01 11:04:37

Did you go to a display and have a problem or is this a theoretical question?

Otherwise, that's a pretty wide open question. Depends upon the size, how built, who built it, what else is there, all sorts of stuff.

Most of the time I'd say no because LED's are using a lower voltage and usually DC voltage. Usually that doesn't bother a PM. However, LED displays like those in New York could be a different situation. Then, of course, who wired the panel. If it's a commercial installation and has been put in by an experienced electrician it's probably wired correctly. If it's some guy working out of his home your guess is as good as mine.

Based upon comments by members on this forum who have worked around high voltages and my personal experience, you might not run into any problems. But there's always that one exception.

Since the PM is programmed to go into a test or maintenance mode you'd probably notice the drop in heartbeats. Instructions from all manufacturers are to back out of the field. The PM should reset and you can go back to normal.

I've been around smaller panels at 220 volts with no problems. I haven't been around 1400 volt panels since I've gotten my PM and I'm no longer allowed access to the building so I can't find out. Not to mention the discussions I'd have with the security people if I tried to get into the building. (You want to do what? You have what?)

This situation you describe, where the panel is on one side and the LED display on the other means you'd be between AC voltage on one side and DC voltage on the other. Very interesting EMF fields. Once again if it's running off a 220 volt panel, probably no problems.

Unlikely Effecting You

by PJinSC - 2015-04-02 01:04:42

Trish,

Are you actually experiencing discomfort? What do you mean when you say "pace unnecessarily"? Since I am 100% paced, I do not feel any difference, no "on" or "off" pacing.

I agree with Theknotman, (see our many earlier posts). LED lighting operates at a very reduced DC voltage. Unless there is a large transformer nearby that is stepping the voltage down, there is no way the small magnetic field produced in the wiring should affect your PM. There must be another cause. I have been around transformers that stepped 19,000 VAC to 235,000 VAC and 525,000 VAC and felt nothing.

Do some investigating and let us know what you conclude.

Good Luck and Good Life, PJ

LED lighting

by trish - 2015-04-02 03:04:35

My church just installed high overhead LED spots in nave and chancel. I sing in choir seated under chancel lights and in direct line with nave spots directed into chancel. There are new control panels and remote controls also in altar area. I am paced at less that 1% Last Sunday was first time lights in use. Felt pacer giving multiple short beats followed by what felt like bigeminy PVCs with repeat of this many times. After leaving area Normal HR 72. This occurred again last evening service. Asked choirmaster to change my seat. Will see what happens at this evening service. Twice seems to be too much of a coincidence. I have gone through airport security including metal detectors. in many countries with no problem Also had pacer check just 2 weeks ago Have read that Led control system can turn of radio signals and interfere with TV reception but maybe that is like seeing flying saucers Trish

Very Interesting

by PJinSC - 2015-04-02 04:04:41

Since large scale LED lighting is relatively recent, I'm sure others would be interested in potential affects on pacemaker responses. Your description implies that being in line with the lighting affected your PM. This could well be an unidentified phenomenon. Keep us posted.
PJ

You know you're wired when...

Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

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