What causes lights to dim when appliances are turned on? Multiple causes are possible when you notice this problem, some of which are located in your house, and some might be an issue with the grid. You might need the help of our experts for electrical services in Braintree, MA.
Learn more about the potential dimming lights causes and solutions.
Issues With the Power Grid Can Affect Your Lights in Braintree, MA
When the power grid does not function as intended, a voltage drop in a home can occur. If your home’s electrical service falls too low or becomes intermittent, these electrical load issues may cause lights to dim when appliances start running.
In Braintree, MA, the Braintree Electric Light Department (BELD) operates and manages the power grid. If the system has outages or other problems, the BELD website shows the areas with problems on a map. When your lights dim unexpectedly, check the digital map to determine whether the issue originates in the grid.
If you don’t see any problems on the grid, the cause probably lies with your home’s circuit board or wiring.
Overloaded Circuits in Your Home Can Cause Lights to Dim When Appliances Are Running
What causes lights to dim when appliances are turned on, and could the issue relate to a problematic circuit? The individual circuit breakers in your electrical panel are limited to using a certain number of amps.
If the appliance suddenly draws significant amps on a circuit also connected to lights, the circuit may become overloaded. The lights might dim briefly while the appliance starts running before the system can compensate and provide the necessary power to all items on the circuit.
To fix this issue, you might need an electrician to give larger appliances a dedicated circuit breaker. The electrician might also suggest increasing the capacity of the problematic breaker, allowing it to provide enough electrical power to all the items on the circuit.
Wiring Problems Can Manifest as Randomly Dimming Lights
If you notice dimming lights when appliances start running, this could indicate loose wiring somewhere along the line. This is a potentially dangerous situation, as loose wires can spark fires. An electrician should investigate the problem and recommend how to fix it.
Some of the largest population growth in the Braintree, MA, area occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. The city has older homes that might have used aluminum wiring when constructed. Aluminum wiring is no longer used in new home construction in Massachusetts because of the fire risk as the wiring ages.
When you have older wiring, what causes lights to dim when appliances are turned on, and is it dangerous? Loose or older, brittle wiring in the home has a higher risk of shorting out or overheating. You might need the help of licensed electricians to determine the safest path to take.
Electrical work in Braintree, MA, requires an electrical permit. Only licensed electricians can obtain permits from the Building Division of Braintree. After completion, the Building Division will inspect the electrical work, ensuring it follows local building codes.
Appliances May Need a Surge of Power When Turning On
Some large appliances may require a large surge of electrical power when they begin running. Some of the appliances that require a surge like this include:
- Air conditioner
- Microwave
- Washing machine
- Clothes dryer
- Refrigerator
- Electric stove
As the appliance briefly pulls this extra power from the system, the lights might dim until the appliance begins running normally and uses its typical level of power.
This can be normal electrical system performance, meaning you don’t necessarily need to do any power surge troubleshooting. However, it might be a good idea to have an electrician look at your home’s power system and determine whether changes to the circuit board could help.
Trust Crowe Electric If You Notice Lights Dimming With Appliances Coming on in Braintree, MA
What causes lights to dim when appliances are turned on, and what should you do about it? The best option is to contact our local licensed electricians for a home electrical inspection and diagnosis. At Crowe Electric, we can track down the issue and determine the best way to alleviate it.
For an appointment about lights dimming with appliances operating, flickering LED lights, or other electrical issues, call us today. We serve the entire region of Braintree, MA, including neighborhoods near Blue Hills Reservation and Ski Area, Pond Meadow Park, and Braintree Municipal Golf Course.