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Top Five Causes of Flickering Lights and What to Do About It

Top Five Causes of Flickering Lights and What to Do About It

Flickering lights in your home or building can be a little spooky and downright annoying. If you’ve eliminated Casper the Friendly Ghost, then it’s likely one of these common causes of flickering lights.

The Light Bulb

If you have one light flickering, start with the bulb. It could be loose in the socket, which results in an inconsistent connection and light flickering. Try tightening the bulb to see if that remedies the issue. The bulb could also be going bad and ready for a change. Before you tighten a bulb or change it all together makes sure you turn off the light and let it cool before adjusting to preventing burning or shocking yourself.

Faulty Connections

A bad connection on the light or fixture’s on/off switch can cause flickering. To see if this is the case, wiggle the on/off switch and watch to see if the light dims. If so, it could be a bad switch. While you may feel comfortable changing a light switch on a lamp, when it comes to wall switches (or any switch integrated into a socket), it’s best to call a professional.

Dimmer Switches

The use of dimmer switches is the number one reason LED lights flicker. Traditional light bulbs have a glowing filament that slowly cools down when dimmed, while LED lights are either in an on or off state. Older dimmers were not designed to control loads below around 20W. As such, they can sometimes struggle to dim low-power LED lights. Because of the LEDs on or off state, the effect you get is strobing… which we see as flickering.

Make sure your light bulb is compatible with your dimmer. The EarthBulb by EarthTronics, Inc. Dimmer Compatibility List is easily accessible. If this still does not remedy the issue, you can replace your dimmer switch with one that is specifically designed for LED lights. This is typically an easy and low-cost fix, and well worth the benefits of LED lighting.

Large Electrical Current Loads

If you notice your lights flickering when a large appliance powers on, say a clothing dryer, a central A/C unit or your water heater, then it could be the increase in load on your circuit breaker. You may want to call an electrician to inspect your electrical system and make sure there aren’t issues with the wiring.

Circuit Issues

If you’re experiencing flickering lights all over your home or building, and it’s not associated with a large appliance turning on, there could be more serious issues with your electrical service. You may have loose connections, faulty wiring, or other problems. In this situation, it’s best to call an electrician as soon as possible to diagnose the matter and make recommendations to fix the problem.

If you haven’t been able to eliminate the issue with a simple fix, like a new dimmer switch, when it comes to electricity its always best to err on the side of caution and contact a professional. Electrical issues can lead to fire hazards, especially if the flickering increases or changes. Your best bet is to have your electrical system inspected regularly.

EarthTronic’s innovative LED Lamps and LED Fixtures are compatible with several dimmers, transformers, and ballasts. If you have questions about which light bulb and dimmer switch is compliant with your EarthTronics LED lamp or fixture, check out our Resources page or reach out to our customer service team.  

Filed Under: News

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