![]() ![]() Although slight fluctuations are normal, your home should register between 115 and 125 volts. If your flickering lights come and go, pay attention to the patterns: If you notice that the lights flicker when large appliances like air conditioners or refrigerators are running, the problem could be that your overall voltage is fluctuating too often or that you have an overload on that circuit. Large appliances might be to blame if you have lights flickering on one circuit. Then pick up the phone and call a licensed electrician to assess and repair the problem. If you suspect that damaged wiring is the culprit, cut off power to that wire by switching off the corresponding circuit breaker on your breaker box. The sparks created by arcing can exceed 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, creating a major fire hazard. When wiring is damaged it is prone to arcing, which occurs when the electrical current attempts to jump over a gap created by damage in the wire, causing the lights to flicker. Faulty wiring could be the result of insulation deteriorating off old wires, or it might even mean that animals have chewed through wiring. Lights flickering in one room could indicate a problem with the wiring. Photo: If fixing the connections doesn’t solve flickering lights on one circuit, the issue could be damaged wires. If that does the trick, it may be that the two just needed a more secure fit. Unplug your lamp, adjust the metal prongs, and then plug it back in. The issue could also arise from a loose connection between the plug and the outlet. Wiggle the switch gently to see if it evokes a flicker if yes, simply replace it to stop the strobe light effect. A faulty fixture switch or a loose light plug can also cause lights to randomly flicker.Įlectricity is all about the connections: A loose one between the on-off switch on your lamp or light fixture and the light bulb itself could be the culprit. The solution could be as simple as twisting the bulb so it sits tightly enough in the socket to make a connection. How many homeowners does it take to screw in a light bulb? The answer is one, but that one person needs to screw it in correctly to keep it from flickering. If you have one flickering or flashing light bulb, sometimes the solution is a simple “righty-tighty.” Needless to say, a flickering light bulb is not something that should be taken, well, lightly. Some 70 percent of home fires are caused by faulty wiring, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Frayed or damaged wires or loose connections in a circuit breaker box can create sparks that reach temperatures greater than 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, more than enough heat to ignite wood framing. While a bulb that’s loose in its socket does not present a fire hazard, other causes do warrant concern. If you are wondering, “Is a flickering light bulb dangerous?” Depending on the source of the problem, yes, it can be. ![]() RELATED: How to Dispose of Light Bulbs Flickering light bulbs can be fire hazards. Before swapping out your standard light bulbs, take an inventory of your existing dimmer make and model, and then cross-check the compatibility to ensure that everything will work seamlessly. These dimmers are manufactured to handle higher electrical loads that don’t always coincide with the lower voltages of LEDs. A fluorescent light flickering every now and again is probably not a huge concern.įor LED bulbs, dimmer switches are the most common cause of intermittent flickering LED lights. The types of light bulbs you have may have to do with why they are flickering.įluorescent bulbs have a tendency to flicker frequently, and this can be caused by a variety of everyday factors, including cold temperatures, the bulb burning out while in the socket (tip: replace the tubes to stop this from happening), and the general way that phosphors power up to their maximum level. ![]()
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