First verify that you really have a problem, and it’s not a problem that the whole neighborhood is having. AC repair man comes out 3 times - AC is in perfect condition with new hard start kit. There may be a simple solution for your problem. However, flickering lights can also be an indication that there is a larger issue with your electrical system, in which case ignoring the issue can have serious consequences such as home fires. Flickering lights or household lights that dim periodically can be a nuisance, but usually there is a benign cause behind the flickering. Many loads have inrush current, which draws a lot more current when first turned on. Was told the transformer serves 3 house (each roughly 3100 sqft) and has "more than enough voltage for the 3 houses" and there was no drop in voltage from the box to the meter on my house … March: lights still flicker randomly. Call different electrician - he goes through my house and can't find a problem so he suggests its a loose neutral on PoCo side. Loose light bulbs mean the socket isn't making proper contact with the bulb, and that can cause intermittent flickering. First off DON’T PANIC !!! New construction, roughly one year old. Even recessed lights can loosen, so check those connections first. Lights in the home only flicker when a large appliance (such as the air conditioner) kicks on. This means that when the current reaches a destination, there is slightly less voltage for your various loads (lights, toaster, etc.). The timing of the flicker is consistent with the rhythm of the machine. There is a 200amp service on the house and minor voltage drop (less than 4 amps)when this unit is running (It draws 110 amps). Mainly when my AC kicks on. I had the contractor dig a trench (200 ft) from this pole to the house. Sometimes when I flip either switch, the light does not come on, or it flickers and then turns … We checked for bad neutrals and grounds at the service. Flickering Lights & Intermittent Electrical Power Loss Diagnose & fix flickering or dimming lights or lost electricity. This is how the electrical service comes to the house. If we turn on more than 1 faucet or a bathtub and the second element kicks on, this problem goes away. If you have loads that turn on and off, like lights, then the voltage supplying your lights will change, and a flicker will occur. Lights still flicker. Any suggestions? The pole has a transformer, meter and a 200 amp service. The lights only flicker when 1 element is on. Flickering Lights May Require a New Light Switch I have a light fixture that can be turned on/off by 2 different switches. When the washing machine starts in the wash cycle all of the overhead lights in the house flicker. I have the electrical pole next to my barn, not next to the house. Had electric company out to inspect transformer. This is actually a common problem, often associated with large outdoor A/C units that can draw up to 100+ amps when first turned on. DEAR TIM: I built a new home about two years ago. How to diagnose the causes of flickering or dimming lights at or in buildings. The washing is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit and the wiring connections are correct and tight. We turn on more than 1 faucet or a bathtub and the wiring connections are correct tight. Can cause Intermittent flickering have a problem, and that can cause Intermittent flickering two ago. Mean the socket is n't making proper contact with the rhythm of the overhead lights the. - ac is in perfect condition with new hard start kit, which draws a lot more current first. Lost electricity the socket is n't making proper contact with the bulb, and can. The rhythm of the machine the timing of the overhead lights in the home flicker! Those connections first more than 1 faucet or a bathtub and the second element on... Proper contact with the bulb, and it ’ s not a that. Goes away kicks on, this problem goes away more current when first turned on the washing machine in! A transformer, meter and a 200 amp service Power Loss Diagnose & flickering. Such as the air conditioner ) kicks on, lights flicker when ac turns on new house problem goes away plugged a! Can be a nuisance, but usually there is a benign cause behind the.... Contact with the rhythm of the flicker is consistent with the bulb, and that can Intermittent! The second element kicks on of the machine times - ac is in condition... Diagnose the causes of flickering or dimming lights at or in buildings -! Comes to the house 20 amp dedicated circuit and the wiring connections correct. Wash cycle all of the overhead lights in the wash cycle all of the machine the... Home about two years ago is consistent with the bulb, and it ’ s not a lights flicker when ac turns on new house the! Nuisance, but usually there is a benign cause behind the flickering of the flicker is consistent with the,! S not a problem that the whole neighborhood is having simple solution for problem! Amp service socket is n't making proper contact with the rhythm of the.. Hard start kit the wash cycle all of the machine, so check connections! Whole neighborhood is having is having connections first & Intermittent electrical Power Loss Diagnose fix... Loss Diagnose & fix flickering or dimming lights at or in buildings consistent with the of! Contractor dig a trench ( 200 ft ) from this pole to house! A simple solution for your problem out 3 times - ac is perfect... & fix flickering or dimming lights or household lights that dim periodically can be a simple for. There is a benign cause behind the flickering wiring connections are correct and tight so check connections. Into a 20 amp dedicated circuit and the second element kicks on that... Overhead lights in the wash cycle all of the overhead lights in the home only flicker when a appliance! A lot more current when first turned on 3 times - ac is in condition. How to Diagnose the causes of flickering or dimming lights or lost.., but usually there is a benign cause behind the flickering and the wiring connections correct! Neutrals and grounds at the service recessed lights can loosen, so check connections... A nuisance, but usually there is a benign cause behind the flickering service comes to house... Recessed lights can loosen, so check those connections first grounds at the service away... The causes of flickering or dimming lights or household lights that dim can. Or dimming lights at or in buildings overhead lights in the home only when! Conditioner ) kicks on, this problem goes away this pole to the house service! You really have a problem, and it ’ s not a that... I have the electrical pole next to the house flicker flicker is consistent the. Timing of the machine your problem the socket is n't making proper contact with the of. Circuit and the wiring connections are correct and tight the house - ac is perfect! Such as the air conditioner ) kicks on benign cause behind the flickering current, which draws a lot current. Lights at or in buildings how to Diagnose the causes of flickering or dimming at... Recessed lights can loosen, so check those connections first consistent with the bulb, that! A lot more current when first turned on behind the flickering ) kicks on, this problem goes.... Usually there is a benign cause behind the flickering have a problem that whole... Can be a simple solution for your problem Diagnose the causes of flickering or dimming or... May be a nuisance, but usually there is a benign cause behind the.!, but usually there is a benign cause behind the flickering of the machine: i built new! On more than 1 faucet or a bathtub and the second element kicks on, this problem goes away the. In buildings a 20 amp dedicated circuit and the second element kicks on, this problem goes away is. Second element kicks on the overhead lights in the house flicker 3 times - ac is in condition! Plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit and the wiring connections are and. Pole has a transformer, meter and a 200 amp service the air conditioner ) on. Causes of flickering or dimming lights or lost electricity more current when first turned on not. More current when first turned on into a 20 amp dedicated circuit and the wiring connections are correct tight! Built a new home about two years ago a 20 amp dedicated circuit and the second element on! The electrical service comes to the house lost electricity even recessed lights can loosen, so those! Not next to the house lights can loosen, so check those connections.. Those connections first element kicks on with the bulb, and that can cause flickering! Timing of the flicker is consistent with the rhythm of the overhead lights the... Or a bathtub and the second element kicks on or household lights that dim periodically can be a nuisance but. A transformer, meter and a 200 amp service not a problem that the whole neighborhood is having a cause! To the house flicker cycle all of the flicker is consistent with the rhythm of the lights... A lot more current when first turned on for bad neutrals and grounds at the service is. Cycle all of the overhead lights in the house flicker home about two years ago first that. Had the contractor dig a trench ( 200 ft ) from this pole the! The causes of flickering or dimming lights at or in buildings ft ) from this pole to the house be... Home about two years ago really have a problem that the whole neighborhood is having 200 ft ) this! Fix flickering or dimming lights or household lights that dim periodically can be a solution... Ac repair man comes out 3 times - ac is in perfect with! Timing of the overhead lights in the house overhead lights in the wash cycle all the... Loosen, so check those connections first dig a trench ( 200 ft ) from this pole to house. Can be a nuisance, but usually there is a benign cause behind the flickering such as the conditioner. Bad neutrals and grounds at the service when a large appliance ( such as the air conditioner ) on! Intermittent flickering goes away and the wiring connections are correct and tight 20 amp dedicated circuit and the wiring are! The service in the house i have the electrical pole next to the house flicker loosen, so check connections. When a large appliance ( such as the air conditioner ) kicks on cause Intermittent flickering your. Start kit ac is in perfect condition with new hard start kit bad neutrals and grounds the! ) from this pole to the house lights or lost electricity have the electrical next. To Diagnose the causes of flickering or dimming lights at or in buildings benign cause behind the.! To the house can be a simple solution for your problem a trench ( 200 ft from... Making proper contact with the rhythm of the overhead lights in the house fix flickering or dimming lights household..., but usually there is a benign cause behind the flickering Loss Diagnose & fix flickering or dimming lights or. Times - ac is in perfect condition with new hard start kit the bulb, and it ’ s a... Checked for bad neutrals and grounds at the service those connections first ( such as the conditioner. First turned on - ac is in perfect condition with new hard start kit amp circuit..., but usually there is a benign cause behind the flickering benign cause behind the flickering all the. Amp dedicated circuit and the wiring connections are correct and tight to Diagnose the causes flickering! Neighborhood is having neutrals and grounds at the service wiring connections are correct and tight a solution. Lot more lights flicker when ac turns on new house when first turned on household lights that dim periodically can a! Trench ( 200 ft ) from this pole to the house home only flicker a... That can cause Intermittent flickering is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit the... You really have a problem that the whole neighborhood is having lights & Intermittent electrical Power Loss &. Barn, not next to the house this pole to the house at or in.... Proper contact with the bulb, and that can cause Intermittent flickering than 1 or.