Why Are My Lights Flickering? What It Means & When to Call an Electrician
It starts with a small flicker… then it keeps happening.
Flickering lights aren’t just annoying — they’re often a sign of an electrical issue that shouldn’t be ignored.
At Feltus Electrical, we help homeowners across Craigmore, Gawler, Elizabeth, and the northern suburbs of Adelaide figure out what’s going on and fix it fast — safely and properly.
⚠️ Common Reasons Lights Flicker
1. Loose Connections
This is one of the most common causes. A loose wire inside a switch, light fitting, or junction box can cause the current to arc, creating flicker — and potentially a fire hazard.
2. Faulty Light Fitting, Globe, or Transformer
Some lights — especially older halogens or cheap LED downlights — can flicker due to low-quality drivers or transformers. We also see LED globes that just need replacing with a better quality brand.
3. Dimmer Switch Compatibility
If you’ve recently changed to LEDs and kept the same dimmer, incompatibility might be the issue. Old dimmers don’t always play nice with new tech — you may need an LED-compatible dimmer or a capacitor to stop flickering.
4. Overloaded Circuits
If lights flicker when high-wattage appliances switch on, your circuits might be overloaded. This is common in homes with just one power circuit running fridges, kettles, toasters, and more.
5. Switchboard or Supply Issues
Old ceramic fuses, weak breakers, or no RCDs can cause flickering too. In some cases, the issue may be outside the home, like SA Power Network voltage fluctuations.
🏡 Flickering Lights in Older Homes
We often see flickering issues in Elizabeth, Salisbury, Hillbank, and Gawler South homes where cotton or outdated cabling is still in use. If your home’s over 30 years old and still has the original wiring, flickering lights could be your first warning sign.
🔧 What We Do When You Call
When we arrive, we:
Test the circuit and fittings
Inspect wiring for signs of wear or loose connections
Check the switchboard for tripping, RCDs, and loading
Give you a clear explanation and options for fixing the issue
Quote and fix it on the spot if you're happy to go ahead
🛑 When It’s Urgent
Call us immediately if:
Flickering is accompanied by burning smells
You hear buzzing or crackling near a switch
Lights flicker and then lose power entirely
It’s happening in multiple rooms or all lights
These are signs of a serious fault and could pose a risk of fire or electrocution.
📍 Where We Work
We fix flickering lights in:
Craigmore, Blakeview, Munno Para, Hillbank
Gawler, Willaston, Evanston, Roseworthy
Elizabeth East, Elizabeth Vale, Davoren Park
Golden Grove, Salisbury, and nearby suburbs
📲 Lights flickering and not sure why?
We’ll find the issue and fix it properly, the first time.
👉 Book Online Now
📞 Call Ben at Feltus Electrical: 0490 383 605