Has the worrying sight of lights flickering happened to you? You might wonder if your lights need replacing or upgrading. Discover the source of your flickering lights; the flicker could be because of one of these five common reasons.
1. Loose Light Bulb or Plug
Before you call an electrician, make sure to check that you don't have a loose light bulb or plug. When one of these two things are loose, they can cause the lights to flicker. If one of these is the source of your problem, then a simple fix will be to either tighten the light bulb or put the plug in more firmly. If your plug still slips out easily, you might consider replacing the outlet or replacing the source of the plug.
2. Incompatible Light Bulb
Do you like to use light dimmers? If so, then the light bulbs in your home might not be compatible with your dimmer. An older dimmer equipped to work with incandescent bulbs might not work as well with LED bulbs. As a result, you might encounter flickering lights.
If you haven't upgraded your dimmer in a while, then now might be a good time to do that. That way, you can enjoy all the energy-efficient benefits of LED bulbs without the annoying sight of flickering lights. A professional electrician can ensure that a new dimmer is compatible with the light bulbs in your home.
3. Loose Connection
Your electrical wiring might have a loose connection somewhere between the lights themselves and the place where your electricity is set up. The cause of the loose connection might be older wiring, switches, or breakers. No matter what, loose connections need repair quickly, as loose wiring can be a source of electric fires.
Loose connections can happen anywhere. They can be confined to one outlet, or they could start affecting the entire home. The best way to determine that a loose connection is the reason for your flickering lights is if you have had frequent flickering without changes to your overall electrical system.
4. Running Appliance
Do your lights seem to flicker when your appliance turns on and runs for a while? If so, then the appliance might be to blame. The appliance might draw a lot of electrical power for it to run, or it might have caused a loose connection. Either way, this is something you need to look into.
Common fixes for this issue include replacing the appliance itself or upgrading your circuit breaker. An electrician can help you determine what the best solution is for your home.
5. Overloaded Circuits
Your circuits overload when too many devices plug into the system. Your electrical system was developed to only handle a specific amount of electricity. But when you start overloading it, such as if you add additional appliances, electronic devices, or lights, then your circuits can't always handle the extra stress. Flickering lights are a common sign that your circuits are feeling strained.
Before you blow a fuse or turn out the lights completely, have an electrician check out your circuit breaker. Sometimes, a simple repair is enough. Or, the electrician can advise you on how much electricity your home can handle. If you encounter overloaded circuits frequently, then an upgrade to a newer, more robust electrical panel usually helps.
You might think you can ignore the flickering lights, but they are often a symptom of a larger, potentially dangerous electrical issue. So when your lights start flickering, don't wait. Contact the electrical professionals at Express Electrical Serviceto diagnose and fix your flickering lights. We will get your home back to consistent, steady lighting for your peace of mind.
