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Common Causes of Flickering Lights

Occasional flicker on one fixture and whole-house flicker are very different signals.

One fixture or the whole property?

Flicker isolated to one fixture often relates to the lamp, the fixture or its dimmer. Flicker across multiple rooms, or in step with large equipment starting, points to something shared — a circuit, a connection, the panel or the service.

Frequent causes

Incompatible dimmers and LED lamps, loose connections at a device or splice, overloaded circuits, and conditions at the panel or utility service are the usual explanations.

When to call

Widespread flicker, flicker with heat or odor, and flicker that appeared suddenly are worth prompt evaluation because loose or failing connections can generate heat.

Have an electrical project in mind?

Tell us what you're working on and let the Benitez J. Electric Services team help determine the next step.