For many people, flickering lights remind them of scary movies; however, when you encounter this issue at home, it can be quite annoying. In addition to being a bother, flickering lights may also be a sign of a larger problem that could cause a number of issues down the road, including an electrical fire. Some of the most common causes of flickering lights can be found here.
Loose Connections
A loose connection is an extremely common cause of flickering lights, as well as electric fires. Your electric connections need to remain as tight as possible to ensure no resistance is created. Even when it’s low, resistance can overheat the connections, or any wires nearby, resulting in a fire. Keep in mind, a loose connection doesn’t just involve the wires. It can also involve a loose terminal on a device or even a loose connection to the circuit breaker. If you believe that your flickering lights are the result of a loose connection, you should contact an electrician for repairs.
Loose Bulbs
If the lights are flickering in your home, you should check to see if the light bulb is completely secure. If the light bulb is loose in the socket, then it won’t receive a consistent source of power, which can cause inconsistent lighting. You can tighten the loose bulbs if that is the issue and the flickering issue will be resolved. However, make sure you turn the light off prior to tightening the bulb.
Voltage Changes
If your lights begin to flicker when one of the large appliances in your home comes on, then it can be an indication of voltage fluctuation. The majority of homes have a 200 amp for the electrical service and if an appliance draws a large current when they are turned on, it can result in flickering. If you have discovered that the lights always seem to flicker when using the larger appliances then it is best to call an electrician to see if any alterations can be made to keep this from happening.
The Type of Light
In some situations, flickering lights are considered normal. Fluorescent lights often use an inductive ballast to control the current in the bulb. If there is a disruption of the power running through it, then it may flicker. You can usually solve this problem by replacing the fluorescent bulb with an LED or incandescent light.
Lights that flicker may be caused by a small issue, or a larger problem. Regardless of the cause, you should never ignore the problem as it is only going to get worse as time passes. The best course of action is to hire a professional electrician as they will be able to determine the cause of the flickering lights and ensure it is fixed properly.
