Why do my lights flicker when I turn on an appliance?
If your lights flicker when you turn on an appliance, it could simply mean a loose bulb that needs to be tightened or replaced.
However, if that doesn’t solve the issue, then you may have a more serious problem with your circuits that might need repair. It’s important to keep in mind that flickering lights shouldn’t be ignored!
Common Reasons Your Lights Flicker
Here are some common reasons your lights flicker when you turn on an appliance.
Appliances Drawing a Heavy Load
Large appliances, like your dishwasher, washer, and dryer, draw a significant amount of electricity when you turn them on. This temporarily reduces the amount of electricity available for other devices on the same circuit.
Circuit Overload
If the circuits in your home are overloaded by more than one appliance or even high-demand devices, they may not be able to handle the electricity demand, resulting in flickering lights.
Loose Wiring Connections
If you have loose wires or connections, you may notice flickering lights as well. You should have a licensed electrician inspect your circuit breaker and electricity panel.
Faulty Switches or Outlets
A worn-out or faulty switch or outlet can disrupt the flow of electricity, causing your lights to flicker.
Service Panel or Utility Issues
An undersized or malfunctioning service panel may not be able to distribute electricity efficiently. There may also be utility issues, such as a connection problem to the power grid.
When Flickering Is Normal vs. When It’s Not
You may be surprised to learn that a brief flickering of your lights can be normal or “less serious.” Here are ways to determine if flickering is normal versus when it’s not.
Normal
- Loose Bulb: If you have a loose bulb in its socket, you may notice flickering. Simply tighten the bulb to fix the issue.
- Voltage Drop: If lights flicker for a split second when you turn on a large appliance, like your dryer, then this is a temporary drop in voltage that should correct itself immediately.
- Switch Incompatibility: Some modern LED bulbs are incompatible with older dimmer switches. You can have an electrician upgrade your dimmer switches to ensure compatibility.
Not Normal
Some instances of flickering can be potentially dangerous.
- Circuit Issues: If your circuits are overloaded, it’s important to redistribute your devices and appliances across different circuits to balance the load. You can also unplug devices on that circuit. If this doesn’t solve the problem, call an electrician for circuit repair services.
- Undersized Electrical Panel: Another potentially dangerous situation is if you have an undersized electrical panel. Unfortunately, this isn’t an issue you can fix yourself. Call an electrician to upgrade your electricity panel.
- Loose or Bad Wiring: Loose or bad wiring can cause an electrical fire. If you notice bad, worn-out, or loose wiring, contact an electrician immediately. A licensed electrician can inspect your wiring for signs of damage or corrosion.
What You Can Do
Here are some steps you can take if you notice your lights flicker when you turn on an appliance.
Check the Appliance
Start by inspecting the appliance that’s causing your lights to flicker. If it’s an appliance that draws a significant amount of electricity, switch the appliance to its own dedicated circuit.
Spread Out Usage
If you have overloaded circuits in your home and are constantly experiencing short circuit issues, try spreading your devices across different circuits. This will help balance the load.
Upgrade Your Wiring or Panel
If you believe you have damaged wiring or an outdated electrical panel, make an appointment for an upgrade. Newer electrical panels are designed to handle much heavier loads.
Schedule an Inspection
If you’re not sure what’s causing the issue, schedule an inspection. An electrician can determine if you have circuit problems and let you know if you’ll need a circuit replacement.
How Tampa Mister Sparky Can Help
When you call Tampa Mister Sparky, you’ll get licensed and insured electricians ready to help. To first identify the problem, we’ll perform a routine inspection. This involves looking at your circuit breaker, outlets, wiring, and electrical panel. We can then determine if you need circuit installation or repair services.
Call us if you feel your circuit breaker is malfunctioning. A faulty circuit breaker can be dangerous. We repair and install circuits for home entertainment systems, pools, hot tubs, kitchen appliances, generators, and more.
We can also upgrade your electrical panel if it can no longer handle the electrical demands in your home. Once we upgrade it, we’ll ensure that it complies with local codes.
If you’re having trouble with flickering lights, don’t put up with any malarky. Call Mister Sparky!
FAQ Section
Why does using my hair dryer sometimes cause a short circuit in my bathroom?
There are two reasons for this. One, your hair dryer is drawing too much power when you turn it on. The other reason is that your circuit is old and should be updated so it can handle higher electrical demands.
When is it time to replace my circuit breaker?
If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it’s typically a sign that you should replace it. Visible damage, such as scorch marks or cracks near the breaker, is another red flag. And if your circuit is 25-40 years old, it probably can’t handle the electrical demands from modern devices, such as laptops and air fryers.
How do I know if I have damaged or loose wiring?
While you may not be able to see any damaged wiring, especially if they are hidden behind walls, you will notice signs such as flickering lights, strange buzzing sounds, a burning smell or warm to the touch, or discolored outlets. If you notice any of these signs, call a licensed electrician immediately.