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Why Are Your Lights Flickering?

April 27, 2023

Lightbulb — St. Louis, MO — Reinhold Electric Inc.

The light bulbs in your home use electricity to keep the house comfortable and safe. However, the light in your home can start flickering and make it difficult to see things in the house. Here are the most common things that can lead to blinking or flickering lights.

Faulty Light Switches

A poor connection between the bulb and the light switch can cause the bulb to flick. To ensure this is the cause, just wiggle your light switch. Also, turn the switch off and on several times to try and fix the problem. An electrician can also replace the switch and fix the poor connection.

Dimmer Switches

The light switches may be firmly attached but are of the wrong type. Dimmer switches often cause flickering bulbs because the switches require high electrical loads. The dimmer switches will provide high electrical loads that may overwhelm your low-voltage LED lights.
One possible approach is to always check whether your light bulbs are compatible with your light switches before purchase. If you prefer low-voltage LED lights, replace the dimmer switches.

Loose Light Bulb

For the light bulb to function properly, it must be firmly attached to its socket. If the lightbulb is loose, it will receive an inconsistent supply of power. An electrician can turn off the lights and wait for them to cool down. The electrician will then tighten the bulb in the socket and turn on the light fixture.

Circuit Overload

The flickering or blinking problem might happen when you use another appliance, such as the dishwasher. This indicates that the electric circuit is overloaded and is handling huge amounts of electrical current, especially when the electrical appliances start up. An electrician can check the electric circuit and recommend that you upgrade or install other electrical circuits.

Utility Service

The problem might happen because the electric company is servicing the electricity in your area. For example, a nearby transformer might have exploded or experienced electrical loads. The problem can also happen if your neighbor uses lots of electricity, causing massive electrical loads on the shared transformer. In this case, contact the utility company to fix the problem with the transformer.

Fluctuating Voltage

Many homes have a standard circuit with a specific voltage rating. You can use a voltmeter to determine your home's electrical voltage. However, a malfunction in the electrical system can cause voltage fluctuations. The result is light bulbs burning out quickly or dimming without any reason or warning.

Loose Wiring

When a professional electrician installs the wires in your home, the wires will attach firmly. However, poor installation of wires can make them loose, causing flickering lights. In some cases, the loose wires can cause severe house fires. The best strategy is to have a professional electrician look at the wiring and fix any loose wires.

Old Wiring

Lights can also flicker if your home's electrical system is old. Many times, outdated wiring is incompatible with modern electrical requirements and cannot handle the current that flows to modern light bulbs. Ask an electrician to check the wiring in your home and install the latest types of wires.

Bulb Type

In most cases, the problem of flickering or blinking originates within the bulb. As the bulb ages, components within it will begin to wear and tear.
Initially, the flickering will appear infrequently. But as you continue to use the bulb, the problem will become acute.
Electricity is dangerous, and you shouldn't try to fix any electrical problems on your own. Instead, let Reinhold Electric do the work. We are a professional company that works with over 250 electricians daily on various electrical projects. Contact us now for all your electrical maintenance needs.

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