Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: akshane, Location: Alabama
Asked on: Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 5:24 am EST
Answered on: Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 12:49 pm EDT
Question: Got a call to a house with lights that flicker.(when i say flicker i mean like when a power tool or compresser is turned on at a job sight and the temp lights kinda blick or flicker from the surge)One circuit feeding all master bedroom outlets and the master bath lights, on a arc-fault breaker. Turning on the bath lights the bedroom light and the plugged in table lamp will flicker and seem to be slighly dimmer than when bath lights are off. Also when turning on the tv in the bed room does the same thing. Took circuit off arc-fault , even put on other phase and when i check voltage i get a 4 volt drop when turning on bath lights. All other lights in the house seem fine except for when the dryer starts up other lights that are on flicker just like temp lighting does when a compresser kicks on.We pulled every recept out pigtailed the wires, checked all connections at the switches.Sure could use some help!??????Thank you
Troubleshooting Steps
1.
Inspect Wire Connections
Ensure all wire connections are tight and free of corrosion. Pay special attention to the neutral connections, as loose neutrals can cause flickering.2.
Test Neutral Conductor
Using a multimeter, test the neutral conductor at various points in the circuit, including at the panel, the arc-fault breaker, and the outlets/lights. A high resistance or open neutral can lead to voltage drops and flickering.3.
Check for Ground Faults
Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) tester to check for ground faults that may be overloading the circuit.4.
Inspect Light Fixtures
Inspect the light fixtures in the master bath and bedroom for loose connections or faulty bulbs. Replace any faulty components.5.
Verify Panel Tightness
Ensure that the main breaker and all branch circuit breakers are fully seated and tightened.6.
Check Dryer Circuit
Inspect the circuit feeding the dryer for any loose connections or overloaded conditions. High current loads from the dryer can affect other circuits in the house.7.
Rule Out Appliance Interference
Unplug all appliances and devices from the affected circuits. Turn the circuits back on and see if the flickering persists. If it doesn't, gradually plug appliances back in one at a time to identify the source of interference.8.
Inspect Arc-Fault Breaker
If the problem disappears when the arc-fault breaker is removed, it may be faulty. Replace the arc-fault breaker with a new one.
Possible Causes
Loose or corroded neutral connections High resistance neutral conductor Ground faults Faulty light fixtures Loose panel connections Overloaded dryer circuit Appliance interference Faulty arc-fault breaker
Additional Tips: Use a non-contact voltage tester to check for live wires before working on any electrical components. Turn off the power at the panel before making any repairs.* If the problem persists after completing the above steps, it may be necessary to contact an electrician for further troubleshooting. Flag for review