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Flickering Lights

If lights in a home often flicker, then power arcing is likely the cause. Arcing is a potentially dangerous issue that occurs when adjoining wire connections complete an electrical current by electrons that float and connect through the small gap, which is similar to how lightning forms. This arcing draws power, which can be witnessed by the flickering lights in a home. Lastly, arcing creates heat, which in some cases can lead to a house fire directly. Contact Mister Sparky immediately if a region of a home is experiencing flickering lights on a regular basis.

A faulty fixture switch or a lose light plug can also cause difficulties. It’s all about the connections: A loose one between the on/off switch on your lamp or light fixture and the lightbulb itself could be the culprit. Wiggle the switch gently to see if it evokes a flicker; if yes, simply replace it to stop the strobe light effect. The issue could also arise from a loose connection between the plug and the outlet. Unplug your lamp, adjust the metal prongs, and then plug it back in. If that does the trick, it may be that the two just needed a more secure fit.

Infrequent shakiness might mean your large appliances are to blame. Pay attention to the patterns:  If you notice your lights flicker consistently when large appliances such as your air conditioner are running, the problem could be that your overall voltage is fluctuating too often, or that you have too much sensory overload on the same circuit. Although slight fluctuations are normal, your home should register between 115 and 125 volts. Purchase a voltmeter at your local hardware store to gauge your home’s output, or hire an electrician to take a look.

If you’re still having problems, give us a call at Mister Sparky and we’ll stop the flickering.