Why Do Lights Flicker On And Off
Flickering lights are an occurrence that most homeowners will experience sometime in their tenure: flickering lights. Most of the time, it happens in an instant and you might forget that it even occurred after a few moments; other times, it’s an ongoing problem that can be a major nuisance. Either way, the question persists: “Why are my lights flickering?”
This is a problem that could have many root causes and you’ll likely need to speak with an electrician in New Braunfels, TX to get to the bottom of it. There are a few common causes that you can look for.
Flickering Lights Common Causes
There are a number of things that can lead to flickering lights in your home or commercial space. Some causes of flickering lights include the following:
Sudden power use from a large appliance: If something that draws a large amount of power suddenly springs to life—like an air conditioning unit or a furnace—the major draw on power could momentarily disrupt your system and cause your lights to flicker. Most homes get about 200 amps in and if something major draws 90 to 100 amps in one fell swoop, you’re going to notice!
Service Conductors: If your lights are flickering randomly, at no seemingly regular interval, it’s a problem that’s likely something to do with your service conductors in your electrical panel or even in your meter base—both of which could prove to be hazardous electrical items that may incite fire if they’re not resolved!
Bad Outlet or Fixture Connection: Is it just one fixture or room that’s experiencing flickering? If so, there’s probably a bad connection that’s isolated to that outlet or fixture. A circuit issue (short) might also be the culprit. Either way, it’s going to take an electrician in Comal County, TX to trace the route of the issue down to the source.
The Electrical Company: Do your neighbors complain that their lights are flickering from time to time as well? Unfortunately, this is a problem that’s likely out of your control. Electrical spikes are an issue that only your electrical company can resolve and usually, they’re taken care of quickly. There’s actually very little danger in this situation since your home is actually receiving less power and therefore, there’s no risk of wires overheating or shorts.
Shared Transformers: Do you share a transformer with any commercial businesses? Homes in more urban areas can find their lights flickering if they share a transformer with an establishment that has a huge power drain. Check to see if your flickering coincides with the business’ peak hours of operation—if they do, it’s a problem you’ll want to sort out with your electrical company.
Flickering lights are a common occurrence in many homes, but as you can see from the above, the problem can stem from many causes. It’s best to consult with an electrician in New Braunfels to rule out anything that might be putting your home or your family in danger. The best thing you can do is to keep a log of when you notice lights flickering and if the problem worsens seek assistance right away!