skip to main content

Home Repair Electrical Wiring Lighting

Residential lights flickering

11 months ago

Hello,

I have a home built in 1993. All of a sudden we developed whole-house flickering lights. I noticed voltage drops throughout the house measured with a multi-meter. Then our circuit breaker box started to smoke one evening. We shut off the power and called an electrician. They diagnosed the issue as corrosion on the electrical drop-down line and the meter box. Both the meter box and drop down line were replaced, along with a brand new breaker box. The meter itself had been replaced/upgraded by the power company about a year prior.

Ever since these repairs, the lights in our home (in various rooms) flicker along with the agitation of the washing machine. They also temporarily dim when a large appliance turns on. The power company and a few different electricians tell us nothing is wrong with our wiring, power, or the washer itself. What can I do here? We never had an issue like this in the previous 10 years in this home.

Thank you!

Comments (3)

klem1
11 months ago
"The power company and a few different electricians tell us nothing is wrong with our wiring, power, or the washer itself. "

If that statement is 100% accurate you have a bunch of hacks for electricians. If I had assurance I would be paid $2k plus air fair,meals and other expenses AND every single one of those electricians would get on their knees to eat a dog turd,I would come find the problem (find it but not necessarily repair) on condition if I failed no one owed me a dime. Any competent electrician should make you the same deal. BTW you can save the cost of air fare if this house is located in NC Tx. What else can I say other than tell electricians you don't put up with dawdling service
elltwo
11 months ago
I would check all of the torqued connections in the panel, including the ground connections, and make sure that all of the landing points on the ground bar and neutral bar that are meant for just one wire have just one wire.

If by "(in various rooms)" you mean the same rooms all the time and never in the other rooms I would suspect one of the hot legs.
Related Discussions
Lights flickering after circuit breaker install
Q
Comments (4)
"Put the pump on the other phase in the panel. Maybe most of your lights are on the same phase at the pump is now. Worth a shot." Leg, NOT PHASE. Residential power is most commonly 120 V/ 240 V SINGLE phase.
...See More
flickering kitchen lights
Q
Comments (8)
It was flickering when we moved in with regular bulbs, continued after changing to 65w equivalent led. We don’t want dimmable and planning to replace the dimmable switches with non dimmable switches. I’m pretty sure the problem is either with the switch or the contacts but wanted to see if there might be something else that would cause this set of lights to blink when nearby lights changed state sometimes. Likely coincidence but just trying to do due diligence. The dimmer part of the switch is incredibly sensitive and if you touch it, the lights usually end up in a strobe effect for a few seconds until you push the slider down and back up. This strobe effect is repeatable on one of the two switches easier than the other.
...See More
Lights Flickering in Kitchen
Q
Comments (2)
"The lights in our kitchen have recently started flickering. One time they flickered a couple times and then stayed off even though the switch was still on." Are the lights controlled by a dimmer?
...See More
2 lights on same switch with short occasional flicker
Q
Comments (1)
It is likely the dimmer. It might be a loose wire. You could turn off the breaker to the lights, remove the dimmer and make sure the electrical connections are tight. If that doesn’t fix it I would suggest replacing the dimmer with a different style than what you are describing. Perhaps get a dimmer that is LED compatible and replace the bulbs with LED’s when you can.
...See More
PRO
Brains Automation
10 months ago
Call your utility company they may have a lose connection on the neutral wire. They also will inspect your main meter for you .

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Twinkle Lights Keep the Holiday Spirit Year-Round

By Jess McBride

Hate to take down your outdoor lights after the holidays? Here are 12 great ways to use these festive sparklers inside your home

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Have a Spot of Tea Lights

By Jen L'Italien

Set your home aglow with these pretty, rustic, modern and creative tea lights and holders

KITCHEN DESIGN Smart Kitchen Investment: Lighting for Function and Good Looks, Too

By Tiffany Carboni

Save your eyes, lift your spirits and give buyers what they want with proper kitchen lighting. Two designers share their insight

LIGHTING Houzz Tour: An Indian High-Rise Trips the Light Fantastic

By Mitchell Parker

Surreal colored lighting and an ubercontemporary design make an apartment near Mumbai dance with drama

REMODELING GUIDES Get the Lighting Right: 8 Mistakes to Avoid

By Kerrie Kelly Design Lab

See How These Great Interiors Found the Right Lighting Solutions

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 4 Trends in Outdoor Furniture and Lighting

By Annie Thornton

New products at the 2019 Conference on Landscape Architecture embrace high performance, customization and resilience

LATEST NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALS 4 Trends in Outdoor Furniture, Structures and Lighting

By Annie Thornton

New products at the 2019 Conference on Landscape Architecture embrace high performance, customization and resilience

HOUZZ CALL Tell Us: What Puzzles You About Holiday Lights?

Share your questions about and strategies for holiday lights with the Houzz community

KITCHEN LIGHTING How to Choose Your Kitchen Lighting

By Georgia Madden

An expert reveals what to consider when making your selections and how to create a layered lighting design

HOLIDAYS Simple Pleasures: Savoring the Season of Warmth and Light

By Laura Gaskill

Light up your home and lift your spirits on cold winter days with these decorative touches

Sponsored

MCR ROMERO WORK LLC

Innovative & Creative General Contractors Servicing Franklin County

More Discussions

Need some assistance with minor repairs on our Gaia SPC flooring

3

Interior ceiling plugs

2

kitchen sink plumbing

12

Exterior PVC Window Trim on Brick House

18

Best replacement window brands?

1