Lights blinking. Blame electric company or breakers?

Hello, every now and then (like today) the lights have been blinking and causing the AC's thermostats to make a rattling noise for a while. It seems the whole house isn't immune to it, but some rooms do it worse.

Should I blame the breakers and get an electrician ? Or call the power company ? They put in a new transformer around a year ago when we got new neighbors.

 

This sounds like it may be a problem in the panel that is going to take some troubleshooting skills while working in a hot panel. I would suggest calling a professional.

Lighting should not affect air conditioning loads.

 

Hm. I remember last time I flipped this breaker it made a pop and shot out sparks. Maybe the breaker went bad/melted ?

 

It could be loose on the bus bar or the busbar could be coroded or pitted. Isn't a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel is it?

 

I really have no idea what it is. I probably could look later today. We heard no sizzling like when a breaker melted on us and started sizzling though. We still have plastic built up in there from where the hot water heater breaker melted against it.

 

Beginning to read like you need a new panel.

 

Yikes. We were quoted at $600-800 on replacing the whole thing with better breakers.

 

About half the usual price in my part of Texas but maybe you are in a small town. Where I am only a Master can pull the permit. Was this a licensed electrician? That's more of a bootleg price where I am. We need to know the make of the panel and some pictures with the cover removed. http://www.doityourself.com/forum/li...-pictures.html

 

Your AC unit draws higher amps when the compressor kicks in which pulls amperage away from the light circuit causing lights to flicker.
This can be caused.
By a low amp main breaker, such as using a 100 amp main breaker when the house itself is wired in such as way as to need over 100 amps when multiple 220 volt circuits are used.

By a bad or going bad main breaker, which can be both legs of the breaker or only on one side.

The AC being connected to the same breaker as the light circuits that are affected. Have seen it done in some older houses with small circuit panels.

 

Yeah the whole room is on one breaker. Actually 2 rooms, I have yet to see if the other AC is doing the same thing and the lights in the other room.

 

What kind of AC are you using?
Window units I would guess.
If so, are they 110 or 220 units?

 

110 in the bedrooms, and a 220 in the living room and kitchen.

 

That sounds a whole lot like a failing Zinsco/Sylvania panel. I tend to agree with ray, it is starting to sound like time for a new panel. Can you look at the panel and see if there is a name on the door?

For lights to dim slightly as a compressor starts is somewhat normal, to flicker is not normal.

I hope you follow this sound advice from pcboss.

 

O.K.
Then which rooms are being affected?