The Most Common Causes Of Flickering Lights
There are only a few types of flickering lights that people enjoy, and since it’s not exactly Christmas time, that cuts the list considerably. When the lights around the house start to flicker, it might be time to consider electrical renovations and rewiring. However, before calling in the pros to troubleshoot the issue, here are the most common causes for flickering lights that can narrow down the culprit.
Bulb problem
It might seem obvious in hindsight, but light bulbs are not perfect. Incandescent and fluorescent bulbs don’t tolerate cold temperatures and occasionally flicker during the winter months. There’s really nothing you can do about the situation, and the condition will go away eventually, but if the problem persists, you need to take action.
Bulbs also tend to lose their connection to the socket slowly. Thankfully, in most cases, they can be screwed in tighter and work regularly. So, if only one light around the house is flickering, check to see if it isn’t the bulb itself that is the culprit.
LED bulbs can flicker if the dimmer switch is not the correct size or an older model. Old light fixtures are made to handle the higher electrical loads that incandescent bulbs require and sometimes don’t work well with low-voltage LEDs.
Loose lamp plugs
If the flickering is confined to a single lamp plugged into an outlet, check the accompanying plug. Older plugs can deform over time and might not fit correctly into newer outlets. A loose connection can interrupt electricity flow and cause flickering.
Faulty circuit or switch
Some lights might flicker as a result of a bad light switch. If the light switch on a lamp wiggles or seems loose, it can mean the underlying wiring has frayed and needs to be redone. Loose switches that have a lot of wiggle room are best replaced.
Voltage drops
Fluctuating voltage is one of the most common causes of house-wide light flickering. There are a few things signs that might suggest voltage issues:
Lights flickering when a high-voltage appliance turns on or off
Lights dimming while a large appliance is working
Lights burning out more frequently
If the lights only flicker when an appliance like a laundry machine or HVAC system is in operation, don’t be too concerned. High-power appliances naturally draw more current when they turn on, which can cause temporary flickering. However, to improve a bulb’s lifespan, it’s recommended to switch these appliances to a circuit other than the one that also runs the heavy-duty appliance to isolate the problem.
If the lights continue flickering and do not seem to be related to the operation of the large appliances, there might be an underlying problem worth investigating. Use a home voltmeter to gauge the circuit’s voltage output. A house should always register between 115 and 125 volts, and significant deviations from these levels will need to be examined and fixed by professionals.
Checking the neighbors
If the lights flicker due to events outside the house, like neighbors turning on electric lawn mowers or operating their heavy-duty hobbyist machines, the neighborhood’s grid might be overloaded. A municipal energy company should be called to assist and improve the utility service.
Loose connections
Loose wiring can not only cause flickering lights, but it can also quickly become a severe electrical and fire hazard to the entire home. However, homeowners rarely have the skills and knowledge to delve deeper into the walls to spot and fix loose wiring.
If there are no obvious answers to the flickering conundrum, call in a professional electrician for an inspection. A qualified electrician can troubleshoot your electrical problems and ensure everything is fixed on time and without added issues.
Zimmerman Electric is here to serve your residential and commercial electrical needs throughout the Phoenix Valley metro area. Call us today if you need electrical work performed 602-497-3365.
