Are Your Lights Flickering? | Electrician in Dallas
If there is an occasional flickering in the lighting of your house, you might neglect it.
However, if the there is an unusual flickering that has never happened before, or it is continuous, consistent and is getting severe, you should call an Electrician in Dallas to investigate the possible reason behind it.What causes these flickers in the lights? Well these are the most common reasons according to Dallas local electricians
- The bulb is faulty or is loose
- The bulb type is not right for the dimmer switch
- The light plug might be loose
- The fixture switch might be faulty
- An appliance on the same board, which might be pulling too much current causing fluctuations
- Outdated Wiring or Loose Connections
Let us look at each of these problems individually:
The Bulb Is Faulty or Is Loose
If only one of the lights is flickering, check and make sure that the bulb is screwed tightly. Although this might seem obvious, the bulbs get loose over time and hence their connection with the socket or the bulb holder. Sometimes tightening the bulb would solve the problem, or if it does not, try replacing it.
The flickering might be due to the type of bulb you are using. If you have fluorescent bulbs, it is normal for them to flicker as they power up, especially during the cold temperatures unless they are heated up. If the fluorescent bulb flickers occasionally, it is probably nothing to worry about.
Alternatively, if you have LED bulbs, those might be flickering due the use of dimmers switches. Dimmers are designed to work with loads of much higher voltages and just do not go along well with the low voltage LED bulbs.
In addition, the dimmer do not work well with most fluorescent and non-dimmable bulbs. If you want to avoid flickering, use a bulb that is compatible with the dimmer switch that you are using. Living in local electrician in Dallas would be able to guide you on which dimmer to use.
The Light Plug Might Be Loose
If the flickering issue is with just one of the lamps, the reason could be a loose connection between the plug and the outlet. Check to see if the lamp is plugged in well in the socket and also fits well. If it does not fit well, this might be the reason for the flickering. Remove the plug, adjust the metal prongs and then plug it back again.
The Fixture Switch Might Be Faulty
Another major reason for flickering of lights is the faulty connection between the bulb and the fixture switch. Wiggle the switch to see if the light flickers. If it does, you have found the reason. Call a professional Electrician in Dallas to inspect the fixture and its connections, and fix them if they are faulty.
An Appliance Pulling Too Much Current
Sometimes the lights start flickering when we turn on a heavy electrical appliance, such as the air-conditioner or a washing machine. This is usually because the circuit is overloaded, meaning the appliance is drawing more current than the circuit is designed to handle.
If the flickering is not frequent and only happens as you turn on the appliance, this might not be something to worry about as the appliances draw more voltage when they startup. Therefore, if the flickering goes away instantly, you should not be concerned too much.
On the other hand, if the flickering is consistent and does not stop right away, then there is a problem with the circuit. There might be an issue within the appliance or the circuit, which is causing these disruptions and hence flickering. In such cases, you should not wait for long, and call an Electrician in Dallas. A local electrician would also know the problems specific to your area.
Voltage Fluctuation
Keeping a few things in mind will help you figure out if the problem is due to the voltage fluctuation. If the continuous fluctuation occurs even when all the heavy appliances are not running, or the lights are burning out frequently, the reason might be fluctuating voltage.
You can seek assistance from a professional Electrician in Dallas to help you figure out your voltage around the house. They can check the readings using a voltmeter. Ideally, the voltage should remain between 115 and 125, but if the readings exceed 125, then there is a problem. A professional Electrician in Dallas can help you solve the problem.
Outdated Wiring or Loose Connections
Loose wiring is a major problem as it is the main cause if house fires, in addition to causing the small problems like flickering. The problem may be all around the house or just on one location but is quite dangerous. Outdated and old wiring, switches, breakers and connectors are always a problem. Outdated wiring is another big reason for house fires.
Loose connections in the wiring, outlet or a switch cause arcing, when the current jumps over the gaps in the loose connections. If a connection is loose, it creates a point of high resistance, which would result in the wires heating up. This heating usually causes the insulation to meltdown, and exposes the wires, which results in short circuits and electrical fires.
If the lights on only one fixture are flickering, you can check if the wiring is loose. You must shut off the main switch in the main circuit box before removing the fixture. But if you do not have any idea about the electrical equipment, do not attempt to do it yourself. If you live in Dallas Fort Worth, Electric Pros, your Electrician in Dallas might be able to help.
If you do not have an idea of the reason behind the flickering lights of your house in Dallas, your Local Electrician in Dallas will be able to help as they have the right expertise and knowledge to deal with such issues.
If any of the above does not seem like a problem you’re facing, call Electric-Pros, your Electrician in Dallas, to get your problem inspected and diagnosed as soon as possible and get the essential repairs done immediately. This is because neglecting electrical repairs can prove to be dangerous for your family and can cost too much if an appliance burns out.
