Are you experiencing flickering lights in your home? The occasional flicker of lights is likely harmless, however if the lights in your home are flickering regularly, there may be an electrical issue at hand. Continue reading to learn the 4 most common reasons your lights may be flickering, what may be occurring and who to call for help.
Loose Wiring
If you have recognized that your flickering lights are steadily worsening without reason, there may be a loose wiring issue. Whether the wiring is outdated, the installation was incorrect, or there is wear and tear damage, it is likely that loose wiring is responsible for the problem. If this is the case, it is important to contact an experienced electrician immediately, as loose wiring connections can be a fire hazard, due the possibilities of overheating or arcing.
Overloaded Circuit
Have you recently plugged in a new appliance? When new appliances are plugged in, especially dishwashers, microwaves and larger appliances, infrequent flickers are common due to the larger loads of electricity being used. However, if the flickering is consistent, the issue may not be directly with the appliance, yet with your circuit being overloaded due to the significant amount of electricity being drawn. In this scenario, it is best to contact an electrician for further direction, and to possibly install an additional electrical circuit.
Inconsistent Electrical Voltage
Your home’s electrical voltage typically fluctuates between the range of 115 to 125 volts. Therefore any voltage outside of this range may be the culprit for flickering lights. If you own a voltmeter, it is possible to check this yourself! Excess voltage can be hazardous to the safety of your home, therefore it is important to contact an electrician immediately to troubleshoot the issue.
Defective Breaker, Switch or Socket
Although it would be simpler to blame your flickering lights on a faulty light bulb or wire, sometimes the actual light switch, breaker or socket can be the issue. This can be quite obvious when you are turning switches on and off yourself, however these inconveniences are not always noticeable. If you think you have a faulty circuit breaker, switch or wall socket, contact an electrician to properly inspect your wiring, find the issue and fix it accordingly.
Although the flickering of lights can be overlooked, these small issues can quickly turn into a serious problem. If your lights have been consistently flickering, it is important to contact an experienced and skilled electrician to find the root cause of the issue! Since 2003, our team of experts at AJ’s Electrical Service & Repair have been assisting customers throughout the Lower Mainland with their electrical needs. Contact us today!
