Electrical systems are complicated and even a small fault along the line can lead to various signs of some issue for floor lamps, such as flickering of a bulb. This can particularly be very annoying but you don't need to get anxious about it because it can be fixed. You can either fix it yourself or ask someone to help you but before that you have to identify the cause of this issue.

How to find out the reason of floor lamp flickering? 

Loose connection

This is a major factor that can create a problem in the lamp bulb. It is usually common in homes that are very old where connections get damaged along different points of the circuit. As a result the bulb is not able to draw enough power and starts behaving this way. Since this problem is very complicated you cannot repair the connections and you have to ask a professional to fix the issue.

However, don't waste money by hiring a professional for no reason because this may not be the issue. This is the reason that you have to try to detect the problem first and then call for help. For this problem the detection involves you to observe how often the light fluctuates and is there a pattern of flickering? This observation will greatly help you to notice if this issue is happening to only one light or it has affected the major part of the electric system.

Switch failure

You may think this is a very basic factor but it can be really off putting and problematic. Damaged connections of the switch of the lamp can also flicker the light. Before trying anything else try to move the wires leading to the switch gently or turn the switch on and off multiple times. If doing these activities affect the function of the light in any way it means that you have to buy a new socket for the lamp or the switch for the lamp. Sometimes it may even require you to rewire it.

Overloaded circuits

If you find out that the lights of your floor lamp only flicker when you turn on some heavy appliances in the room it means the circuit is overloaded. When one or more high power consuming machines are turned on in a room they draw a lot of power. Small installations like bulbs will flicker for a while. But if this happens frequently you might need to upgrade the circuits in the area.

Type of Bulb

People use a variety of bulbs to enhance the look of their room however, they differ in functionality. If we talk about the flickering of bulbs, generally LED and incandescent lights have a very less possibility of showing these issues as compared to fluorescent bulbs. When fluorescent bulbs get too old or exposed to extreme conditions such as high temperature they may show these signs. If they show the signs once in a while it is not of a great concern but if you constantly observe this pattern it is better to replace them. 

Arcing

Arcing is a very serious issue and if it is neglected it can lead to fire in the house. Initially the symptom of this issue is flickering of light in one area or multiple rooms. The root cause of this phenomenon is a loose connection that makes the electric current jump over a gap. As a result there is a very minute flash of light that may cause flickering.

Mismatched dimmer

Flickers when everything is fine? Check the dimmer and replace it with a new one.

 

 

Problem with Central electric panel

If you experience that the lights of your whole house are flickering or the flicker is not associated with turning on home appliances, it is an indication of a big problem. Typically, this means that there is a problem in the central electric panel, such as loose conduction or loose connections. If this is the cause of flickering, it can lead to a fire in the whole house, so you have to call an expert electrician as soon as possible to evaluate the issue and fix it promptly.

Can flickering lights cause an electrical fire?

As mentioned above, flickering lights can be caused by many reasons, simple or severe. If there is an issue with the wiring switch on the bulb type, they are simple problems that can be resolved quickly. However, if the wiring of the bulb is loose, the circuit is overloaded, or the central power supply is faulty, it can lead to drastic consequences if they are not addressed immediately. Usually, serious issues can lead to electric shock and even fire in the house. Therefore, you need to be vigilant when you notice a flickering light and seek professional help as soon as possible to avoid dangerous consequences.

How to fix a flickering floor lamp?

For you to successfully apply some solution for a flickering bulb, you have to pinpoint the cause of the issue carefully. Minor causes, such as bulb type and loose bulb, can be identified even by a layperson without any help. Still, serious problems need professional help so that they can be identified and resolved. So the first step is to identify the issue; once you have done it, you can apply the following solutions to fix it. Let's take a look at some of the solutions to fix the flickering bulb of a floor lamp.

Replace bulb

Start with the primary cause, such as checking the bulb if it is loose or not. Turn off the floor lamp and let the bulb cool down. Now, remove the bulb from the socket and analyze if it is loose or not. Carefully inspect the socket and the bulb for any damage. If everything seems to be okay, put the bulb back carefully by securing it in the screw.

If you notice damage to the bulb, such as a broken filament or a dark spot, you must buy a new one to secure it in the socket.

If the problem continues, then you may need to change the type of the bulb.

Replace switch

Another common cause of flickering bulbs is an issue with the lamp switch. You can pinpoint this by unplugging the floor lamp. Now toggle the switch on and off multiple times to inspect and find any irregularity. If the switches are fine, you should clean them to get rid of any dirt that may hinder their performance. If you analyze a problem with the switch, you should replace it.

Back end issue

If all the lights in your home are flickering and your neighbors are complaining about their flights also flickering, then it means that there is a problem with the main power supply. In this case, you have to call your service provider immediately and ask them to fix the issue as soon as possible.

Distribute the load on the circuit.

If the circuit is overloaded, you must either move the floor lamp to another area or hire a professional to create a fresh circuit for the space.

Loose connection

You can check for loose connections by turning off the lamp and unplugging it from the power outlet. Check for any loose connections between the socket, cord, and switch. If you find any loose connections, tighten them with a screwdriver, and then try to see if the problem is fixed.

 

Power

Power outlet with loose connections may also contribute to the flickering of bulbs in some cases. To resolve this issue, you can relocate the lamp and connect it to a different outlet. It will help you find the root cause of the flickering. If the flickering goes away by changing the outlet then you will have to call an expert to fix the power outlet causing the issue.

Things you can do to avoid flickering

A couple of measure can be taken to avoid flickering blubs, such as:

  • Make sure to check the blub, socket and their connection. Do not rely on a loose or partially working connection.
  • The Lamp sockets must be cleaned every now and then to get rid of the dust and debris that can be a hindrance to the smooth power supply.
  • Make sure to distribute the electrical load across the circuit specially when using high power appliances.

High quality constituents must be chosen for when you are buying anything relevant to the blub or the floor lamp. Good quality material is programmed to offer way better performance and compatibility in different setups.  It will help in significantly reducing the chances of flickering and other similar issues.

By making the right choices, you can feel confident in the reliability of your lighting setup.