The flickering of lights in your house is cause for serious concern. There are many harmless reasons for lights to flicker, such as a loose bulb or a faulty dimmer switch, but in some cases, flickering lights are the only indication that there is a problem with the electricity in the home, which could lead to fires, electrical shocks, or ruined appliances. Always check the source of flickering lights, and once you've determined that a loose bulb or faulty dimmer switch isn't to blame, call a residential Electrician Dee Why to rule out any further serious electrical problems.
Improper wattage use
A simple solution exists for this cause of flickering lights, but it shouldn't be ignored. Light bulbs can explode or cause electrical shocks if the wrong wattage is used in a light fixture, and this poses a fire risk. Never assume that a lower wattage bulb will work in a given light fixture.
On every manufactured bulb, the wattage must be clearly displayed. Make sure the light is off or the lamp is unplugged before checking the wattage recommendation. Try some of these resources:
- The Parts Inside a Light Switch
- Under the cover at the bottom of the light fixture
- In the wall outlet's side panel
- Light fixture packaging or the accompanying instruction manual.
Your House Has Overloaded Wiring
Lighting problems, as well as other electrical issues, can often be traced back to an overloaded circuit. An overloaded circuit can be detected when turning on a single appliance, such as a toaster, results in the lights flickering. Because of the instability, there are frequent small power outages, indicating that the energy available to run both devices is insufficient. An electrician should look into this because it can result in fried electronics, fire hazards, or even electrical shocks.
Alterations in Voltage, Quickly
Flickering lights might indicate a serious electrical problem that's causing fluctuations in the voltage. Standard residential homes use a 120-volt circuit, which should not experience voltage swings of more than 5 volts. If your home's lights are flickering due to sudden fluctuations in voltage, there are a few possible causes:
- Problems with the wiring in your home
- Issues with the utility hookup
- Your system has corroded connections.
- Damaged or improperly installed plugs
Arcing
It's possible that arcing is the cause of your lights flickering, which is a potentially dangerous situation. What we call a “arc” of raw, uninsulated electricity is the result of an electrical current hopping from one connection to another. Extremely lethal electric shocks can be produced by electrical arches. When there is an overload on a circuit, damage to the electrical panel, or exposed wiring, an electrical arc can form in the home. Symptoms of electrical arcing include:
- Sound of crackling or buzzing when you first turn on the lights or appliances.
- Light bursts from an electrical socket.
- Light Bulbs Blow Out Suddenly, accompanied by Flickering Lights
Do the Lights in Your Home Keep Fuzzing on and Off? It's time to get a professional involved.
If you've already checked for loose bulbs, the incorrect wattage, and problems with the dimmer switch, but your home's lights are still flickering, it's time to call an electrician.
