Electrical guidance
What Do Flickering Lights or Partial Power Mean?
Flickering lights or power loss in part of a home can have several causes; heat, odor, sparking, or widespread instability makes the situation more urgent.
Prepared by Sims & Sons. Published .
Why might lights flicker?
Flickering can relate to a lamp, fixture, circuit connection, changing electrical load, or a broader supply condition. Because several very different conditions can look similar, a web page cannot safely identify the cause for a specific property.
When is partial power urgent?
Treat the situation as urgent when power changes are widespread, unpredictable, accompanied by buzzing, heat, odor, sparking, smoke, damaged equipment, or water near electrical components. Keep away from the affected area and call for help; call emergency services first for immediate danger.
What should I avoid doing?
Do not open a panel, meter enclosure, service equipment, outlet, or fixture to investigate. Do not handle exposed wiring or repeatedly cycle breakers. Safely note which areas are affected and whether nearby properties appear to have a utility outage, then contact the appropriate utility or electrician.