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What Causes Lights to Flicker? When Is It Time to Call the Electrician?

Whether you own a single-family home or manage a large residential or commercial property in New York City, flickering lights are a common problem. The cause can range from small nuisance-level issues to fire hazards that require immediate attention from a licensed electrician. Here are some common answers to the question “What causes lights to flicker?” along with advice about how to handle the situation.

Fluorescent Bulbs

Problem

Fluorescent bulbs are prone to flickering. This happens more frequently when a fluorescent bulb has just been turned on and is powering up, as well as when fluorescent lights are used in a cold environment.

Solution

There’s no serious worry here, as long as your other lights with non-fluorescent bulbs aren’t flickering too. If it’s an annoyance for you, simply change your bulb type. You will find LED bulbs are more energy efficient anyway.

LED Bulb and Dimmer Incompatibility

Problem

Many people have switched from incandescent or fluorescent bulbs to LED ones, which is a smart choice to save money and energy. But you need to make sure your new LED bulbs are compatible with any dimmer switches you are using to control them.

Solution

This is another simple fix. Make sure your LED bulbs are dimmable and compatible with your rheostat switch (AKA dimmer). Pro tip: dimmer switches draw on the available current, so if something on that same circuit turns on or off, you may see dimmed lights get brighter or dimmer accordingly. If the difference is significant, like when a major appliance turns on, you may want to have an electrician rewire the dimmer so it’s not interrupted by other electrical items likely to intrude on the circuit.

Loose Bulb Socket

Problem

In order for lights to operate properly, the bulbs must fit snugly where they screw into the fixture. If the bulb socket is loose somewhere in that assembly, the electrical supply could be interrupted intermittently, and flickering will result. We see this frequently in properties where there is more than the average amount of vibration in the building, such as industrial spaces.

Solution

First ensure all bulbs are inserted properly in the socket and screwed completely in to eliminate that as a cause. If the socket itself is loose, this may be something you can fix yourself, especially if you’re a property manager with some basic knowledge of the setup and the right tools. However, if the loose part is further away from the socket in the interior of a wall fixture, or if rewiring is required, it’s best to call a professional electrician who can investigate and make the repairs for you.

Poor Electrical Outlet Connection

Problem

For light fixtures that plug into a wall outlet, such as table and floor lamps, a poor connection with the outlet can also result in flickering. A key sign that the outlet connection is poor is if the lamp plug falls out of the wall or hangs halfway out of the outlet repeatedly.

Solution

This happens when the inner parts of the electrical outlet behind the plate become worn and can no longer grab the plug. An electrician can replace the old outlet with a new one for you in short order. If all of your outlets are of the same age, you may want to replace each one simultaneously to avoid similar problems with other electrical items.

Wiring Problems

Problem

Wiring problems can account for an array of light flickering issues. Often our clients report only some lights flicker in a certain area of the house. This may be due to loose wires or another problem with one particular electrical circuit. Sometimes an appliance on the same circuit will come on and cause momentary flickering.

Solution

Any flickering bulbs you suspect are caused by wiring issues should prompt an immediate call to your electrician. Although sometimes these problems are a quick fix, they may also be due to incorrect or worn wiring, which could be a fire hazard. Be especially suspicious if you notice any burn marks on outlets, melted cords, plugs that are too hot to touch, or your power going off completely on one circuit.

Inadequate or Faulty Circuit Breaker Panel

Problem

If your circuit breaker trips constantly, or if you lose power frequently without the breaker tripping, it could be a problem with the circuit breaker panel itself. Some older panels were not made to accommodate today’s heavy electricity use, especially if the property has undergone additions without getting a new panel. A panel can also be at the end of its lifecycle or one of the models that have been recalled. You may hear buzzing or hissing coming from the panel; you may also observe charred or melted components inside the panel or smell smoke or burned metal emanating from it.

Solution

Like bad wiring, a faulty circuit breaker panel is a cause for alarm and should elicit a call to your electrician. Sometimes older properties or those that have been the victim of DIY renovations have both faulty or inadequate panels and dangerous wiring. In some cases rewiring and separating circuits from the same breaker can help. In other instances, the panel must be replaced.

Weatherhead Disconnection

Problem

The weatherhead is the location where the electrical service from the utility enters your property at the outside of the building. While the wires there are protected by the weatherhead, over time they can come loose from wind and ice pulling them down. If all the lights in your building flicker, and all of the causes above have been ruled out, it’s time to look outside and see if the weatherhead connection is the culprit.

Solution

You may be able to see immediately that there are loose or frayed wires at the weatherhead that need to be reattached or replaced. If your electrician is looking for causes of flickering lights, they may observe this as well. A call to your electrical utility is in order in this case, as it’s their responsibility to take care of any electrical issues on the outside of your building.

If you have flickering lights in your home, apartment building, or commercial property, it’s imperative you determine the cause. And if you can’t figure out what causes lights to flicker, or if the repair is beyond your level of expertise, Bolt Electric is here for you. Call us at 212-434-0098 or send us a message online to ask a question or schedule an appointment.