Buzzin’ Bulbs? 4 Common Causes of Flickering Light Bulbs

What could be scarier than a horror movie? The horror of flickering light bulbs! A common yet bothersome issue, faulty light bulbs are often the cause of minor day to day issues that can be fixed in the blink of an eye. Let’s look into these 4 common causes!

Loose Bulbs & Loose Connections

Is your light bulb properly screwed in? Loosely attached light bulbs may cause it to flicker as it is not securely connected to the electric system. It is important to get a light bulb of accurate size to ensure it functions properly. 

The quality and condition of your light bulb plays a significant role in the overall lighting and ambience of your space. Ensuring good quality of your light bulb and having them replaced whenever they show signs of dimming, flickering, or wear and tear ensures consistent lighting quality and prevents disruptions in.

Electrical Wiring Issues

Inadequate or faulty electrical wiring can cause fluctuations in power supply, leading to flickering lights. In severe cases, there may be a risk of a fire hazard, posing a threat to our safety. A safety precaution would be to install a terminal block to keep the cables organized in place. 

Take a look at how to install a terminal block with these simple steps:

Installing the terminal block

Select a suitable fuse rating based on the current requirements of the circuit and the connected devices you have installed at home.

Place a metal bar on the terminal block to fix it to the ground

Fix the terminal block in place with a metal bar to secure it firmly to the ground.

Put fuses on the clips that hold each set of wires

This protects the electrical circuit and connected devices from overcurrent and potential hazards at the connection points where wires are secured.

Voltage Fluctuations

Fluctuations in electrical voltage, often caused by heavy appliances or electrical devices, can result in flickering lights. Do refrain from overloading on power consumption to stabilize electricity flow.  

Rapid voltage changes or cyclic changes in voltage consumption often lead to voltage sags (dips) and voltage swells (surges). Voltage sags commonly occur during a brief drop in voltage levels due to equipment failures or a sudden high demand on electricity consumption, whereas voltage swells are the cause of a spike in voltage levels from a sudden drop in electricity consumption, termination of large loads or lightning strikes.

Old Light Bulbs

While different types of light bulbs have a different average lifespan, the quality of the light bulbs gradually drops after being well-used for significant periods of time. 

Some common causes of light bulbs burning out too soon are:

Frequently Switching them On and Off

Switching your lights on and off too frequently may lead to a faster burnout of your light bulb. Each time the lights are turned on, a surge of electricity is sent to the filaments in the light bulb, each surge causes the filament to wear out and break sooner compared to having your lights left on for longer periods of time.

Using Light Bulbs with High Wattage

Light fixtures usually have a recommended wattage. Light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage may cause overheating or melting of the fixture’s wiring, causing a premature burnout.

While there could be various reasons causing your light bulb to flicker, safely troubleshooting its cause is the first step to fixing the issue. Should you require further assistance or a thorough inspection, our VIDOLA Titans are just some clicks away at your service!