Why are the lights flickering when it’s bad weather? In this blog, you will know the causes of this and how it affects you and your family.
Trees and branches are the most frequent causes of lights that are blinking. High winds, lightning, rain, ice, etc., can all influence the trees and branches close to power lines during a storm or other bad weather. In times of high winds, branches may simply brush against the lines. Sometimes, a branch might fall onto the line. Both of these result in a “fault” or “short circuit” on the line when they occur.
In other words, a power blink will happen when the system instantly cuts the power off to isolate the issue, preventing further significant damage. It’s normal to get worried because this may lead to serious damage that can lengthen the outage and have an even bigger impact. A device known as a recloser is used to carry out this procedure automatically. When you experience flickering lights after bad weather happens, turn to Eagle Rock Residential Electricians immediately for quick and exceptional lighting installation.
What are some reasons for flickering lights?
- High electrical load
When you turn on a home appliance, your lights may briefly quiver, indicating a sudden increase in electrical load. The majority of appliances need a significant amount of electricity to operate, and your electrical supply might not be able to meet the increased demand right away.
This is generally very common. But if you notice that the flickering lasts longer than usual, there may be something else in play.
- Bad weather
Outside main line connections may be shaken by a strong wind, which could influence how steadily your home receives power. The main power supply may be shaken, and its flow to homes may be affected by a strong lightning strike or thunder.
- Loose connections or internal system malfunction
It’s a sign that there’s a problem with your electrical system if you’re the only person in your neighborhood who is having this flickering problem and if it keeps getting worse.
How to Fix the Problem of Flickering Lights?
Fortunately, it’s not the end of the world if you notice your lights flickering. Here are some efficient ways to address the problem and stop it from happening again, particularly in bad weather:
- Check the number of light bulbs flickering.
Finding out which lights are flickering will help you pinpoint the location of the issue. If only one light in your home is flickering, you might want to check the power cable there. It can be a problem with your main electrical panel or unit if most or all of the lights are flashing erratically.
- Take a look at your electricity load.
It’s likely that your electrical system can no longer support the load as more advanced and power-hungry equipment becomes available. You might want to think about upgrading your system or your electrical outlets.
- Ask electrical experts.
The best way to deal with flickering lights is to have a professional investigate the issue. Even while you may always perform your own electrical maintenance, electrical contractors have a much wider range of knowledge to solve the majority of problems in residential locations.
We hope this helps with any questions you may have, and we appreciate your patience in continuing to read this part of the blog.
Ways To Protect Your Outdoor Lights From Bad Weather Conditions
Choosing to invest in outdoor lighting is a great way to improve safety and the nighttime aesthetic appeal of your house. These lights, however, are susceptible to deterioration over time for a number of causes. Taking the proper safeguards will help you secure your investment and prevent many of these issues.
Here are some ways you can protect your outdoor lighting.
Choose the proper location.
It’s worth the effort to locate your lights in the most weather-resistant area. Several techniques, such as placing recessed lighting on your porch or mounting these lights on the side of your house beneath overhangs, can be used to safeguard your lights further. It’s also crucial to keep outdoor lighting away from trees to prevent storm damage.
So, think carefully about where you install the outdoor lighting in the first place to protect your outdoor lighting from damaging weather conditions. Placing lights intended to increase the security of your home beneath eaves or other overhangs will shield them from rain and intense sunshine, which can cause plastic fixtures to swell and fracture. These lights include porch lights, door lights, and external garage lighting.
Use only outdoor-rated lights.
The key to avoiding any problems is to decide to utilize outdoor-rated light bulbs and fittings. It would be best if you searched for phrases like “weather-resistant” or “weatherproof,” as these lights are made expressly to withstand outdoor conditions.
Install shields
Installing light shields is one of the best ways to provide extra security. These shields, which are only boxes, will keep your fixtures safe from the weather while still enabling them to produce light. To best complement the design of your lights, you can select from various colors.
Keep checking your lights
Many people make the error of neglecting to check their exterior lighting, which takes extra time regularly. Regular inspections can help you find problems earlier and prevent more costly problems from developing.
Those are the best ways to protect your outdoor lighting, so you will no longer worry when strong wind and lightning are happening to your area.
If you are interested in installing outdoor lighting or are concerned that your outdoor light fixtures may have been damaged by the strong wind, contact us at Eagle Rock Residential Electricians. You can also visit our other blogs for more information about the problem of flickering lights and the solutions.