How do I prevent an LED rope light from glowing dim when switched off?

Question

I have 2 strings of LED lights on my patio wired to a switch/outlet combo. This is controlled by an interior switch that also controls my exterior door light. I can either just have the door light on or switch on the LEDs at the combo box. All was working well.
However, I just recently tapped into the end of the strings with a 16/3 exterior extension cord, cut off the female end and hardwired it into another switch/outlet to control some LED rope lights in a screened porch. When the rope lights are switched off, they continue to glow very dimmly - visible only after dark.
How do I stop them from glowing when they're turned off?

Jasen · Answer

This is caused by phantom current, it's does not indicate a problem and need not be remedied unless the glow bothers you.

Jaime Guerrero · Answer

yes, to Jasen.
fancy dimmer switches and smart outlets actually pass a small amount of "phantom" current 24/7 -- this energy is needed to 'power' them, i.e. the smart device has a radio listening on wifi for commands.   (surprise- turning them off doesn't cut the flow of electricty completely!).
modern LEDs are so efficient that they will glow with even this tiny amount of current.
Solution: don't use fancy dimmers or smart devices for your switch; use devices with a separate actual on/off switch (many dimmers have a mechanical on/off switch independent of the dial/slider).   Or put a traditional mechanical switch in series with the dimmer (but then the 'smart' behaviors won't work when it is off).
Some rare expensive dimmers, sold for commercial settings where safety codes are stricter, need a separate neutral lead in their box for their power, are are thus independent of the controlled lamp circuit; these don't use the phantom power trick and won't send any current to the lamp circuit when dimming level is set to 0%.

How do I prevent an LED rope light from glowing dim when switched off?

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