Top Causes Of Flickering Lights?

A loose connection is an issue which will commonly result in flickering lights. The home electrical wiring connections need to be tightly together to limit the chase of resistance forming. When there is resistance these can easily overheat connections and may cause issues such as house fires. 

The loose wiring could also involve loose terminals and other electrical systems may be at fault. It is important to call an electrician to resolve this issue to prevent problems like electrical fires from occurring. 

Loose Light Plug

Lamps and other lighting fixtures might also simply be not plugged into the outlet properly. When lighting fixtures which are connected to an outlet are the only ones experiencing the flickering then this might be the issue. Plugging it is safely and properly can help resolve this issue. 

If there is still flickering then the powerpoint could be burnt out or damaged and will need an electrician to repair it. We recommend reading our blog on ‘burnt out powerpoints’ for more information on the subject and what to do.

If a light bulb is loosely connected then this can cause them to flicker, or even cause an electrical fire. This is because they are not tightly installed and not receiving the proper power to function properly. The simple way to resolve this is to turn off the lights, wait a while, then tighten them back in. If this does not resolve the issue then the bulb could be old or damaged.

Faulty or Old Bulbs

Old or faulty light bulbs might also be the reason why they flicker regularly. When knowing that the electrical system is healthy and the bulb is secured but still flickers then the bulb can be damaged or too old. It is important to replace the bulbs, which is encouraged that licensed electricians perform to ensure it is done correctly.

If the lights flicker when an appliance, such as the air conditioning or washing machine, turn on then a voltage spike could be to blame. These appliances need more voltage which could mean that they flicker the lights when the draw a large current. A professional and accredited electrician should be contacted to ensure that the appliances are connected properly. 

Overloaded Circuit 

The main electrical circuit could be overloaded which can cause issues such as flickering lights. These large appliances will need more voltage which would result in a voltage drop when turned on. The current system might be overloaded with voltage and these issues can escalate and cause a bigger problem. A licensed electrician is needed, as well, to help determine what the issue is. 

Shared Connections

If the home has a shared transformer box with neighbours then their electrical load could influence the electrical supply. If the neighbour uses a large amount of electricity then this could be the issue causing the lights to flicker. An electrician can be called to resolve the issue, such as working on the transformer box. If neighbours are also experiencing flickering lights then the electric utility service needs to be contacted.

At times the bulb is to blame for the light flickering constantly or frequently. They could be incorrectly screwed in, old or their temperature could be causing them to flicker. 

Dimmer Switches and Lights

Dimmers can be installed alongside a light bulb and at times are the reason for them to flicker. A dimmer is usually made for lights with higher electrical loads. When the dimmers are installed with lower-voltage LED lights then they can flicker. 

It is important that if a dimmer is to be installed that they are compatible with the current light. This means that the voltage aligns and that they work with the type of light, such as LEDs. 

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent lights are often known to flicker and is a normal occurrence. The inductive basket which measures how much current is controlled to the bulb can be disrupted easily. It is highly recommended that changing from fluorescent lights to LEDs happen as they are more efficient. The Local Electrician has our light installation service where we will install any light in any home professionally.

Flickering lights can often be resolved easily and do not cause any harm. However, when the issue is with voltage changes and loose connections then an electrician should be contacted as soon as possible. 

When appliances are turned on and the lights flicker then this is related to voltage. Additionally, if the lights are flickering from being loose or there are loose connections this is an issue. These concerns can cause problems such as electrical fires which it is highly encouraged that an electrician looks at the issue.