3 Possible Causes for Flickering and Dimming Lights
If lighting fixtures in your commercial building frequently flicker and dim without reason, you may have an issue with your electrical system. Such electrical troubles expose you and your facility's occupants to risks of fires and electrocutions. Here are three possible causes for flickering and dimming lights on your property.
Bulb Problems
A loose bulb or improperly installed bulb can lose connection with your socket and begin to flicker. You can tighten the bulb to eliminate the problem. If doing so doesn't work, the issue might be a defective bulb, and you should replace it with a new one. Don't forget to turn off the light before you tighten or remove a bulb to avoid electric shock.
Also, note that fluorescent bulbs tend to flicker when temperatures are cold or when you switch on the lights. However, if lights connected to your dimmer switches exhibit abnormal behavior, the issue is likely with the light bulb selection.
For instance, fluorescent or LED bulbs tend to malfunction when you connect them to conventional dimmer switches that handle halogen or incandescent bulbs. So, only install light bulbs that are compatible with your dimmer switch to avoid flickering.
Overloaded Circuit
Do your lights flicker or dim every time you run an electrical appliance like a microwave or air conditioner? If so, you have an overloaded or outdated circuit. A circuit overload happens when you plug in an electrical device that draws more electricity than your circuit can handle.
A minor flicker after you power an appliance is normal. Large appliances draw excess current that causes a voltage drop, which results in flickering and dimming lights. However, if flickering persists even when your electrical device is in use or the circuit breaker trips regularly, you might have a more serious electrical issue. At this point, you should contact an electrician to inspect your electrical system and conduct electrical repairs.
Wiring Issues
Lights in your property may flicker or dim if the electrical wires can't handle the electric current they use or the wiring is outdated. So when your electricity demand rises, the voltage drops and may cause your bulbs to flicker or dim.
These issues are common in old buildings with outdated electrical systems that can't handle the high electrical loads of modern appliances. So, you should update your wiring to eliminate flickers.
Additionally, if flickering worsens with time, loose wires due to incorrect installation or wire deterioration might be the cause. Loose wires also pose a serious fire hazard. They cause arcs, where electric current jumps from one connection to another. Such an issue demands immediate professional repair before a fire breaks out in your commercial building.
While flickering and dimming lights may seem harmless, you might have bigger underlying electrical issues that you shouldn't ignore. Contact a reliable electrician for expert help if you notice any unusual behavior with your lighting.
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