You turn your vacuum cleaner on, and your lights dim. Is this something you should worry about, or is it a normal electrical occurrence?
Find out if dimming lights are harmless or if they may indicate a problem with your wiring. Knowing when to contact an electrician for your Phoenix home can provide you with peace of mind.
Normal Causes of Dimming Lights
If your lights dim briefly as soon as you turn your vacuum cleaner on, then return to normal, this is usually nothing to worry about. In fact, it’s normal for this to occur. Vacuum cleaners use a lot of electricity and starting yours up may cause the voltage to temporarily drop.
This might also happen with other appliances, devices or equipment that use a lot of electricity, such as microwave ovens or hair dryers. As long as the dimming is slight and doesn’t last, this is usually not a cause for concern. However, you can always have Turn It On Electric check your home in order to provide you with peace of mind. You’ll know for sure whether or not it\’s harmless or a sign of trouble when your lights dim.
If you have lamps or light fixtures that dim, check the bulbs before calling an electrician. Bulbs that are nearing the end of their lifespan often flicker or dim. Replacing these bulbs could solve the problem.
When to Worry if Your Lights Dim
If your lights dim drastically, or if they don’t return to normal after dimming, you should have them checked. If you have flickering lights, you should also have these inspected. There are other possible causes that can make your lights dim. These need to be found and corrected in order to prevent the risk of electrical problems. Some of the things that can make lights dim include the following.
Circuit Problems
Overloaded circuits occur when you have too much voltage running through them. This can end up making lights dim in order to accommodate the higher amount of power needed. If you have too much draw on one circuit, it could trip the circuit breaker. If you find that you have to reset breakers often, you should talk to a licensed electrician about installing a separate circuit. This helps break up the amount of power flowing through each circuit, which makes the breaker less likely to trip.
Wiring Problems
Wiring problems in your home, such as older wiring or wiring that is frayed, corroded or damaged, can make lights dim. This is considered highly dangerous, but a licensed electrician can locate the faulty wiring and replace it as needed. If you suspect your wiring may be causing dimming lights, you should have Turn It On Electric inspect it as soon as possible.
Ballast Problems
Light ballasts are responsible for maintaining a steady flow of electricity to light fixtures. If you have a ballast that is damaged or worn out, this can cause dimming lights or too much brightness. Having us inspect and replace ballasts as needed could correct this problem. You’re more likely to have ballast problems if you live in an older home.
Call Turn It On Electric
If your lights dim when you turn on an appliance or your vacuum, it could be the sign of a dangerous problem. Call Turn It On Electric to assess your current situation. We’ll make sure that you don’t have anything to worry about and make any needed repairs promptly.
