Maybe your lights flickered once or twice initially, and you figured it was just a glitch. However, once it continued to happen, you probably realized the issue was inside your home. But what could it be? And how do you fix it?
Loose Wiring or Connections
Electricity needs a continuous, unobstructed path through your wiring. Therefore, if you have loose, damaged, or improperly installed connections or wires, it can interfere with the flow of electricity. While you might notice your lights flickering due to this problem, it can also lead to a fire.
Repairing this problem isn’t a DIY job. You’ll need to contact a licensed electrician to find the damaged connection(s) or wire(s) and replace them.
Overloaded Circuit
Each circuit can only handle a certain amount of electricity. When you overload it, you’ll notice your breakers trip. However, besides that, as you put the circuit to the test, you’re straining it and possibly causing your lights to flicker. In more serious cases, you could experience a house fire.
You have two options. First, you can be mindful of how much energy you use on a single circuit and spread the load across multiple paths. However, if that’s difficult to do or not possible, you could hire an expert to upgrade your panel so you can use more electricity per circuit.
Electrical Panel Issues
Your electrical panel is ultimately the heart of your electrical system. Over time, its components may wear out or the breakers may loosen, possibly causing your lights to flicker. It could even have reached its life expectancy and be failing, which can cause your lights to flash randomly.
This isn’t a problem you can address on your own. You should contact an electrician to inspect the panel and decide whether to repair components or replace the entire unit.
Loose Neutral Wire
The neutral wire completes your home’s electrical circuit. It works to carry electricity back to the panel after it travels to your lights and other devices. When this wire is loose, it may cause erratic voltage and your lights to blink. It can also damage appliances, cause a fire from overheated lines, or shock you or your family.
Because the neutral wire is one of the most important in your electrical system, a loose one is a serious issue. Contact an electrician at once to inspect the wire and replace it if necessary.
These are some of the reasons why your lights are flickering. Most of the time, you’ll need to contact a specialist to assess the problem and tighten it safely.
Schedule a visit from Blaze Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing, with locations in Triangle, Triad, and Cape Fear, NC, for lighting installation or repair.