3 Reasons Why Your Lights Keep Flickering

An occasional flickering light is normal and hardly noticeable, but when the flickering starts to happen more regularly, you should pay attention. Aside from being annoying, flickering lights could also signify a serious electrical fault. 

Try to pinpoint the source of flickering to not only save you money but also save your life. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), home electrical fires account for an estimated $1.3 billion in property damage and nearly 500 deaths every year. 

If you notice a flickering bulb, try to isolate the issue. Take note of which lights flicker to help you or the electrician troubleshoot the problem faster. 

The following three sources can cause lights to flicker.

1. Fluctuating Electrical Voltage

Voltage fluctuations are a common sign for power quality issues and often result in flickering lights. Fluctuations are periodic shifts in the voltage envelope caused by load changes.

You may notice that your lights flicker when you switch on an electrical appliance, such as your dishwater or air conditioner. Appliance power overdraws are the main culprit to flickering lights, but they are common and not always a concern.

Large electrical appliances tend to draw a huge current when starting up. The burden on your electrical system may result in a voltage drop that causes your light to flicker. Periodic flickering is not an issue and may even occur in the best-designed electrical systems.

However, if you notice that the flickering happens more regularly, you need to do some investigation. 

A temporary fix is not to use a few electrical appliances at once. For instance, do not run the water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine simultaneously. Note, however, this quick fix endangers your house, and a more prudent approach is to contact a professional as soon as possible.

2. Loose Bulbs

A loose bulb could most likely be the problem if the flickering only happens in one lighting fixture. Check if the bulb connection is secure because bulbs tend to come loose over time. As simple as this solution may seem, the remedy to the flickering is to tighten the bulb.

For a bulb to produce consistent lighting, ensure the connection to the socket is firm. If you fail to take action immediately, a flickering bulb may cause your electrical components to deteriorate or catch fire. 

Before tightening the bulb, however, make sure that you turn off the switch and give it time to cool. If you are sure the bulb connection is tight and the problem persists, seek professional electrical help.

3. Outdated/Loose Wiring Connections

Outdated and loose wiring connections not only cause lights to flicker but are also the leading cause of home fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), wiring issues cause 67% of home fires.

Loose connections are susceptible to sparks. Old and loose wiring is often a concern, especially in switch boxes or breakers where an electrical fire could easily break. Electrical connections need to be as tight as possible to avoid arcing, which endangers your entire electrical system. If you suspect that you have loose connections around your home, call an electrician for evaluation.

You may notice lights flickering with a few light fixtures in your house. If this is the case, you need to call your electrician right away. What may seem like a harmless flicker has the potential to escalate to a serious fire hazard.

While you may conduct some simple troubleshooting fixes, such as tightening a bulb, you shouldn’t perform repairs yourself. Most electrical diagnoses are dangerous and require skilled and experienced electricians.

Contact us for expert troubleshooting, repairs, or upgrades to your electrical system.