If your lights are flickering more than a New Year’s Eve fireworks show, you have an electrical problem. There are a few common reasons for flickering lights, and some of them can be dangerous. Annually, home electrical fires cause over a billion dollars in damage. Save yourself the expense and hassle by addressing your electrical issues when you first notice them. Our team at Powerworks Electric can help you identify the problems and provide a solution for flickering lights.
Common Reasons for Flickering Lights:
- Loose Bulb—If the lightbulb is screwed in incorrectly, you may see flickering. Turn off your light, allow it to cool, and then try screwing it in again. This is the simplest issue to fix as you can manage it yourself.
- Light Type—If you are using fluorescent bulbs in your home, some flickering is not surprising. The fluorescent bulbs utilize an inductive ballast to control the current levels within the bulb. When the lightbulb has a power disruption, the fluorescent bulb will flicker. Try switching to an LED or incandescent bulb to resolve the flickering.
- Changes in Voltage—Do your flickering lights start after you plug in an appliance? The average home has 200 amps in its main electrical system. Using a large appliance can draw a high current load at once and cause a flicker. If you have flickering lights every time you use appliances, your home may need an evaluation to ensure that your system can handle your family’s needs.
- Loose Connections—Loose Connections are the most common issue, and the most concerning because they are responsible for many electrical fires. Tight electrical connections help prevent resistance from forming. Even low resistance can cause the wires and connections to overheat and lead to a fire. Although loose connections can be with wires, you can also have loose terminals or a loose breaker connection. If you suspect there are loose connections in your home, give us a call right away. We care deeply about the safety of your family and your home, so let us help protect you.
Whatever the cause, flickering lights are not normal. Call Powerworks Electric whenever you notice lights flickering!
