Light dimming question from a Newbie
#1
01-15-20, 04:23 AM
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: United States
Posts: 15
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Light dimming question from a Newbie
Hello, I am clueless when it comes to electricity... When I start a small appliance like a gaming console or a computer, the light in the bedroom dims. It looks like the bedroom’s lights and wall sockets are all connected in the same line.
Is this normal, or is this something that I should be worried about? This is a newly built home and the circuit breaker has not tripped yet, but I never had this happen in previous homes. This seems to happen in only the bedrooms and 2nd floor hallway. Thanks in advance.
Is this normal, or is this something that I should be worried about? This is a newly built home and the circuit breaker has not tripped yet, but I never had this happen in previous homes. This seems to happen in only the bedrooms and 2nd floor hallway. Thanks in advance.
#2
01-15-20, 04:37 AM
Member
I would be concerned if something like a computer or game console dims the lights. An appliance such as a fan, or any motorized item, it's not uncommon. What items are running on this circuit? How many and what wattage bulbs are being used in the lights? Are the computer or game anything unusual such as water cooled?
#3
01-15-20, 08:00 AM
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: United States
Posts: 15
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
For example, it seems to dim/flicker when turning on and starting up the game console. There is a small cooling fan in the console, but I don't know if that can cause that. The only items that are running would be the TV, console, and the bedroom light itself - only 2x 60W LED bulbs in the fixture.
#4
01-15-20, 08:18 AM
Member
I'm not the expert here. Others will chime in. But I would like you to check all the outlets and make sure all connections are tight. The small cooling fans on the computer and game console should not cause the dimming.
cartman
voted this post useful.
#5
01-15-20, 08:19 AM
Member
If it's really new constrution it's hard to believe both the lights and outlets would be on the same circuit.
Simple to check, just shut off the breaker to see if that kills both of them.
I'd be checking for a loose wire or back stabbed outlet that needs to be moved to under the screws.
Simple to check, just shut off the breaker to see if that kills both of them.
I'd be checking for a loose wire or back stabbed outlet that needs to be moved to under the screws.
#6
01-15-20, 08:59 AM
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: United States
Posts: 15
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Yes, the breaker shuts off both. I think the small bedrooms have all outlets and lights on the same circuit.
I will have to check for back stabbed outlets and see if anything is loose, but can that cause this kind of issue?
I will have to check for back stabbed outlets and see if anything is loose, but can that cause this kind of issue?
#7
01-15-20, 09:06 AM
Member
Yes it's possible. I have agree with Joe that it's unusual that both lights and outlets are on the same circuit. When you say lights, do you mean an overhead light that is build into the wall or ceiling? Or do you mean an outlet controlled by a switch?
#8
01-15-20, 09:10 AM
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: United States
Posts: 15
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Yes, the overhead lights. The builder said that there is no code for putting them together on one circuit for a smaller bedroom. I know that the light dims or flickers when I use a heavy appliance like a vacuum in the room, but I just found out it was doing it for even smaller appliance like this gaming console. Now, it leads me to believe something might not be right... Should I not be worried?
#10
01-15-20, 09:40 AM
Member
Are the lights on a dimmer switch?
Some LED lights switched by dimmers will blink or flash due to the electronics in both the dimmer and in the lights.
It is possible that your game console, computer, etc. causes a slight surge in the line that is affecting the electronics in the LED bulbs.
If it occurs only when you turn the devices on, I would not be concerned. If the lights continue to flash or dim while using the devices further investigation is warranted.
Replace one or both of the LED bulbs with standard incandescent as a test and see if the problem still occurs. If it does not occur with incandescent, then the problem is interference with the electronics in the LED bulbs. Other LED bulbs may not react the same way.
I have LED bulbs in fixtures in my family room. When they are on at full brightness after a short while they each start to blink randomly because of the reaction of their electronics to the remote control dimmer that they are on. By putting an incandescent bulb in one of the fixtures it eliminates the problem. Fortunately the LED's do not flash when I have them dimmed, and I can turn that fixture off when watching TV to eliminate reflection on the screen.
Those LED bulbs also blink (once and all at the same time) when I turn on my TV.
Some LED lights switched by dimmers will blink or flash due to the electronics in both the dimmer and in the lights.
It is possible that your game console, computer, etc. causes a slight surge in the line that is affecting the electronics in the LED bulbs.
If it occurs only when you turn the devices on, I would not be concerned. If the lights continue to flash or dim while using the devices further investigation is warranted.
Replace one or both of the LED bulbs with standard incandescent as a test and see if the problem still occurs. If it does not occur with incandescent, then the problem is interference with the electronics in the LED bulbs. Other LED bulbs may not react the same way.
I have LED bulbs in fixtures in my family room. When they are on at full brightness after a short while they each start to blink randomly because of the reaction of their electronics to the remote control dimmer that they are on. By putting an incandescent bulb in one of the fixtures it eliminates the problem. Fortunately the LED's do not flash when I have them dimmed, and I can turn that fixture off when watching TV to eliminate reflection on the screen.
Those LED bulbs also blink (once and all at the same time) when I turn on my TV.
Last edited by 2john02458; 01-15-20 at 09:45 AM. Reason: typos & more info
Norm201
voted this post useful.
#11
01-15-20, 10:33 AM
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: United States
Posts: 15
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Lights are not on a dimmer switch, but they are dimmable led bulbs. I will try to test them out as you recommended once I can get my hands on some other bulb types. Thank you!
