What Causes Flickering Lights?

Flickering lights are annoying. Not only are flickering lights a nuisance, but they could also be a sign that you may need to get your electrical system inspected. Nevertheless, there are multiple reasons why your light bulbs fail to provide a consistent stream of illumination.

Let’s take a look at the concern with flickering lights and the possible reasons why you’re experiencing this issue. 

Should You Be Concerned About Flickering Lights?

Flickering lights happen for a multitude of reasons, and while some may be harmless, others are hazardous. While troubleshooting can be effective, it's always best to call a professional to ensure you get the proper resolution and reduce the risk of house fires, shorts, and injuries like electrocution.

Staying safe is critical, and some of the most common reasons why you may be experiencing flickering lights include:

Lamp/Lighting Fixture Is Almost Dead

The cause of flickering lights may be in the light fixture themselves. When a fluorescent bulb reaches the last quarter of its life, it will start to flicker. You have a little bit of time before it dies entirely, but if you want the flickering to stop, you need to replace the fluorescent bulb! 

If the light fixture is not fluorescent and still flickering, it’s a sure sign of a different issue.

Uneven Voltage

If your home has gone through renovation or any other kind of new construction, chances are more electrical appliances have been added. More appliances in the house might bring an uneven energy distribution, causing the flickering lights.

If the voltage in your home has uneven distribution, you may want to consider installing a surge protector or upgrading your electrical panel to find a better distribution.

Loose Bulbs

Fortunately, loose bulbs are the most common reason for flickering lights. All you need to do to fix this flickering light is tighten the light bulb! 

However, when dealing with electrical currents, always use caution. First, turn off the light and unplug the fixture if it’s plugged into an outlet before you tighten the bulb back in.

Loose Connection

If the light bulb is secure to the light fixture, then the problem may lie in the connection. The question is: where is the connection compromised? There are several possibilities for the compromised connection, including loose wiring in the fixture, worn outlets causing the plug to pull itself out, or inefficient connections in the terminal or circuit breaker.

Regardless of the issue with the connection, it is always a good idea to contact a trusted electrician for any electrical troubleshooting you are not comfortable conducting yourself. 

The Utility Company

While flickering lights commonly come from an internal problem within the electrical system, sometimes they can be attributed to upgrades or repairs completed by the electrical company. In other cases, if you share a transformer with your neighbor and they are using high amounts of electricity, this could cause an interruption, and it is recommended to reach out to an electrician right away for upgrades or repairs.

Old Wiring

You may not consider loose wiring to be a big deal, but in most cases, it's a dangerous situation. Two of the most common issues include outdated and loose wiring from corrosion or improper installations, and almost 50% of home fires are caused by wiring problems. A few critical malfunctions to keep an eye out for include:

• Circuit Breakers that trip constantly

• Hotspots anywhere on the walls

• Smoking appliances are outlets

• Flickering lights

• Scorch marks or burn smell on lights

All of these are signs you are susceptible to an electrical fire, so it's encouraged to have safety and annual inspections to reduce the risk and learn how to keep your home safer.

Arching

If you have a bad connection in your wiring, aching will happen when the electrical current diverts to keep it flowing to the demand. Every time it must redirect from the problem area, it creates an arc with temperatures of up to 10,000 degrees that can result in an electrical fire. 

You may see signs like bright flashes are lights around the faulty electrical area; there may also be a loud noise or sparks during the discharge, which normally happens when you turn them on or off. Arching is incredibly dangerous, so contact a qualified contractor immediately if you notice any of these indicators.

Call on SoCal Electrical & Lightning for Your Lighting Solutions

Working with a professional for any electrical issues is critical because of the risk of electrocution and shock, and you need to know the repair has been completed professionally. Whether your light bulb is flickering for unknown reasons or you need assistance with services like custom lighting or 24/7 emergency service, you can count on SoCal Electrical & Lighting!

Request an estimate online or give us a call at 760-699-2686 today!