Changing a light bulb sounds easy – and depending on the type of bulb that you are using it can be – but sometimes it’s important to use a professional. We’ve all heard near-miss electric shock stories or worse, and sometimes your broken bulbs or bulbs not working properly may be caused by something much more sinister than that they have simply run out of life. If the bulbs are blowing in your business more frequently than the light globe hours recommends, it could be down to one or more of the electrical issues below.
Faulty Electrical Wiring
If you are experiencing dimming or flickering lights, smelling burning when you turn on your lights or have fuses that frequently break you could have faulty electrical wiring in your building.
Faulty electrical wiring is a term that’s used to reference wiring that is damaged, outdated, poorly installed or not maintained adequately.
Faulty wiring tends to become more apparent when new lights or new light fixtures are installed into your building. New lighting typically operates at hotter temperatures and this can exceed what older wiring can handle, creating a serious risk of fire outbreaks.
So, if you are continuing to experience dimming or flickering lights, even when you’ve changed your light bulbs, it’s best to call out an expert to have a look at your wiring.
Earthing Problems
Ground loops are the most common type of earthing issue with your wiring in a commercial building.
Ground loops happen when electrical wiring is connected to the ground wire ‘grounding’ through more than one way. This is often an unintended consequence of electrical wiring being interconnected, creating multiple wiring paths that lead to the ground wire. Not having your wiring properly earth can increase the risk of fire, electrocution and damage to your light bulbs and electrical appliances.
To correct any earthing issues, it’s important that multiple wiring interconnections are identified and earthed correctly by an electrical professional.
Old Light Fixtures
Old homes and old commercial buildings quite often have old light fixtures – and with changes in technology over time and general deterioration, these are often in need of electrical repairs. Flickering lights and buzzing sounds in older buildings are common place without electrical maintenance – and these issues aren’t because of your light bulbs!
If you are in an older property and your new light bulbs are flickering, you might need your wiring and fixtures replaced. They could be deteriorating or your old fixtures aren’t fitting your new bulbs correctly and are causing a loose connection – causing flickering and wear and tear on your light bulbs.
A poor fitting light bulb due to old light fixtures can also cause a buzzing sound. Electrical arcing is the process of electricity jumping from one place to another. Electrical arcing can cause a bulb blowout and can even cause a fire – if you hear this give us a call.
Overloaded Circuits
Too many appliances or lights plugged into the same circuit can cause them to overload. Affixing a light globe with a high wattage onto a light fixture that only supports low wattage light bulbs can cause the high temperature of the bulb to melt the light socket and the insulation within the light fixture. This can cause sparks to form between the wires and result in electrical fire.
Removing and replacing the light bulb won’t help with fixing the issue as the socket and wiring have already been damaged.
Overloaded circuits are a common cause of electrical fires, so it’s essential that you are using the right wattage bulb for the circuits that you have to keep your electrical systems in good condition.
Keep an eye out for any of these issues happening with your lights. It’s important to consult with your electrician about any necessary electrical maintenance that you might need. Don’t take chances on electrical repairs!