Why Are My Lights Flickering?

Have you spotted your lights flickering or dimming unexpectedly? Perhaps when you flick a switch, the light starts blinking without explanation. Occasional flickering might not seem like a big deal. But if it persists, it might indicate more serious electrical problems that need addressing sooner rather than later.

Though flickering might seem minor at first, ignoring it can let underlying problems get worse. Often, it’s linked to loose wiring, worn insulation, or overloaded circuits—issues that can hide among walls, equipment, or the lines bringing electricity into your home.

Ignoring flickering lights can lead to bigger problems, like electrical fires or dangerous voltage surges. Picture needing your lights most and having them fail—a nightmare, right? Address these warning signs swiftly to prevent such outcomes.

Spotting and tackling the causes of flickering early on is vital. By diagnosing and fixing flickering lights before significant damage occurs, you can dodge expensive repairs and ensure your lights remain reliable. This approach also helps prevent major electrical emergencies. Keep reading to discover common reasons for unexpected flickering and practical steps to address them effectively.

What Triggers Lights to Flicker?

Several different factors can cause flickering lights, including:

Loose Lightbulb or Fixture

Before investigating other causes, check for loose lightbulbs in flickering fixtures. Bulbs that aren’t making secure contact with the base socket can spark intermittent connections, resulting in flickering. Open fixture housing or broken sockets that do not hold bulbs firmly can also be the culprit. Tightening everything completely may stop the flickering.

Faulty Light Switch

Old or worn-out light switches can cause flickering by disrupting the current due to worn contacts. A dodgy switch may cause unexpected connection breaks, leading to flickering lights. Often, simply replacing these switches can solve the problem completely.

Problems with Electrical Wiring

Issues within the electrical wiring itself frequently cause flickering. Frayed wires, inadequate wire gauge for the electrical load, loose wire connections, broken conduits or excessive splicing can spark short circuits and flickering. Outdated aluminium wiring is especially problematic. Overloaded circuits strain electrical wires beyond capacity, also resulting in flickering lights.

External Power Source Disruptions

Damage to utility lines and equipment affects power flow to your building’s electrical system. Nearby trees, animals, storms and accidents can damage above-ground lines. Failure of transformers or issues at electrical substations also causes widespread disruptions, including flickering.

Electrical Surges

Power spikes from heavy machinery or major appliances turning on and off can temporarily overload circuits, causing flickering. Surges from electrical storms can also creep into your home’s system, making lights flicker. Learn more about electrical power surges here.

Grounding Problems

Poor building or wiring grounding can cause flickering if stray voltages try to find a new path, such as through plumbing. Without proper grounding, electricity doesn’t flow as it should, leading to unusual flickering.

Presence of Arcing

Electrical arcing from damaged wires or bad connections creates brief sparks. As arcs form and break repeatedly, light fixtures downstream flicker erratically. Any arcing detected requires immediate repairs.

Aging Circuit Breaker

Circuit breakers eventually wear out. Old breakers may not distribute steady electrical current, leading to intermittent flickering.

What Should You Do About Flickering Lights?

If you notice lights flickering in your home, take the following corrective steps:

Check for Loose Connections

• Examine lightbulb bases and fixtures for any looseness. Tighten bulbs and housing so there is no wobble.
• Replace any burned-out bulbs that may be causing a loose connection.

Inspect and Replace Faulty Switches

• Check all light switches controlling flickering lights for defects.
• Replace any switches that are cracked, feel loose or spark when operated.
• Use a multimeter to test questionable switches for faulty electrical connections.

Schedule a Professional Inspection

• Hire a licensed electrician to thoroughly inspect all wiring connected to flickering lights.
• Have them check for damaged wires, loose connections, inadequate wire gauges, overloads, etc.
• They can locate the electrical fault and make proper repairs to stop flickering.

Contact the Utility Company If Needed

• Report any flickering correlated with outside utility work or storms.
• Damage to external lines and equipment can cause flickering inside.
• Ask utility technicians to inspect the attached power lines and repair any damage found.

Address Electrical Overloads

• Disperse demand by plugging fewer devices into outlets in the affected rooms.
• Call an electrician to install additional circuits and upgrade electrical capacity if needed.

Install Surge Protectors and Breakers

• Use quality surge protector power strips and U.P.S. battery backups to regulate power flow.
• Install whole house surge arrestors at the main panel to block external surges.

Replace Old Circuit Breakers

• Replacing the electrical panel breakers may help if they are outdated or damaged.
• Consider upgrading the entire panel if it is older than 20 years or is no longer up to code.

Inspect Grounding and GFCIs

• For flickering without apparent cause, check grounding and add GFCI outlets if absent.
• Electricians can confirm proper electrical system grounding throughout the building.

Take Flickering Seriously to Avoid Costly Damage

While flickering may seem minor, the root causes often signify larger issues within the entire electrical system. Ignoring persistent flickering, such as from a loose bulb or faulty dimmer switch, leaves potential safety hazards unchecked within walls and the utility lines feeding your building. This puts occupants at higher risk of electrical fires, shocks and electrocution.

Can flickering lights signal problems with wiring or surges that strain components like LED bulbs? Beyond safety dangers, unchecked electrical problems cause progressively destructive damage the longer they go unaddressed. Flickering frequently arises from wiring faults and surges that stress the home’s electrical system.

If left undiscovered, this added stress slowly degrades the system, eventually leading to complete fixture, appliance and equipment failures. Yet a single burned-out transformer or motor can cost thousands in repairs and replacement.

Catching and correcting minor flickering problems promptly before they escalate into significant breakdowns ultimately prevents costly electrical repairs—schedule inspections by licensed electricians at the first sign of unexplained flickering. Safety and savings start with proactive electrical maintenance.

Don’t sit back as the lights dim and brighten sporadically. Identify the root causes triggering flickering so experts can eliminate them. Need help with your lighting? Our Melbourne emergency electricians are here for you day and night. Give our experts a call today!