Flickering lights are a surprisingly common issue for residential and commercial properties. In addition to the inconvenience flickering lights cause, they can also be a sign of larger electrical issues in your property. That is why it is important to determine the cause of the flickering as soon as possible and have a commercial or residential electrical contractor make any required repairs. As leading providers of electrical repair solutions, the team at BNR Electric knows how annoying and potentially damaging flickering lights can be. That is why we have compiled a list of 4 reasons why your lights are flickering to help you determine if you need to contact an electrician.
Learn when you should upgrade your electrical panel.
4 COMMON CAUSES BEHIND FLICKERING LIGHTS
When it comes to flickering lights, the following causes tend to be the most common:
1. LOOSE CONNECTIONS AND SWITCHES
Connections and switches can start to loosen over time due to normal use and wear. These connections need to be as tight as possible to avoid creating resistance as this can create heat and lead to electrical fires. It is important to monitor the connections between wires, switches, terminals, circuit breakers, and your electrical panel. If you notice multiple loose connections, it may be time to hire a professional electrician.
2. LOOSE BULBS
When installing a lightbulb, many individuals may stop tightening it before it is fully secure due to fear of breaking it. If a bulb is not fully installed in the socket, it will not receive consistent power and cause inconsistent lighting. To determine if your bulbs are loose, turn them off, wait for them to cool, and attempt to tighten them by hand. If they continue to rotate or move further into the socket, they were likely loose.
3. VOLTAGE CHANGES
Do your lights flicker when you turn a large appliance on? This may be a sign of voltage changes or fluctuation. Most modern homes have around 200 amps for the main electrical panel, and appliances that draw a large current when powering on can cause temporary flickering. If your lights always flicker when turning on your oven, A/C, or washing machine, consider hiring a professional to inspect your appliances and electrical panel.
4. THE TYPE OF BULB YOU ARE USING
Light to moderate flickering is a normal occurrence for certain types of lightbulbs. Fluorescent lights, for example, utilize inductive ballast to control the amount of current in the bulb. Any disruptions to this current will cause it to flicker, even if the bulb is new and properly installed. If your home uses multiple fluorescent bulbs, consider swapping them out for LED bulbs as they are more resistant to flickering.
To learn more about our electrical repair services or installation solutions, get in touch with the team at BNR Electric. We can be reached by phone at 778-704-0312 or through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.