Are your lights flickering? Flickering lights can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from minor issues to more serious electrical concerns. Below are some helpful tips to help you identify the cause and troubleshoot the problem.
LED bulbs have a variety of components such as the diode which creates the light, the electronic driver, and heat sink. These internal components are essential to the proper operation of the LED bulb, but these solid-state devices are much more susceptible to flicker than legacy incandescent bulbs. To help remedy the problem, ensure the LED bulb is securely tightened within the LED fixture. Also, ensure all other components of the LED fixture are securely tightened. If the flickering persists, consider replacing the LED bulb with a new LED bulb from a well-known brand.
Not all dimmer switches are designed to work with LED bulbs. Not all LED bulbs are dimmable. If your LED lights are connected to a dimmer switch and your LED lights flicker, the dimmer switch may need to be replaced with one that is LED-compatible, or the LED bulb may need to be changed to a dimmable LED bulb.
Many other electrical devices, such as high efficiency laundry appliances, devices that use variable frequency drives, home entertainment equipment, and power tools use power electronics. Unfortunately, some power electronics can cause harmonics and other electrical issues that may interfere with sensitive devices such as LED bulbs. If a specific device is running while you are noticing the LED bulbs flicker, that device may be causing compatibility issues with your LED bulbs.
Learn more at the US Department of Energy Flicker Basics page.