Reasons For Flickering Lights & Power Surges: Issues You Shouldn’t Ignore

Ever noticed your lights flickering when you turn on an appliance? Or maybe your outlets spark when you plug something in? Most homeowners and property managers chalk these up to minor annoyances—but these electrical quirks could be warning signs of serious safety hazards lurking in your system. Ignoring these issues could lead to electrical fires, appliance damage, or costly repairs.

Let’s break down some common electrical issues that property owners and homeowners often overlook—and how to prevent them from becoming expensive disasters.

Flickering or Dimming Lights: Not Just an Annoyance

A lightbulb that dims or flickers might seem harmless, but if it’s happening across multiple rooms—or every time you turn on a major appliance—you may have a deeper problem.

What’s Causing Flickering Lights or Dimming Lights?

• Overloaded circuits – Too many devices plugged into one circuit can strain your electrical panel.
• Loose wiring – One of the leading causes of electrical fires.
• Voltage fluctuations – If lights dim when your AC kicks on, your electrical system may be struggling to handle the demand.

What You Can Do About Flickering or Dimming Lights

• Unplug non-essential devices and see if the issue persists.
• If flickering happens throughout your home or office, call an electrician to inspect your wiring and panel capacity.
• Upgrading your electrical panel may be necessary if your system is outdated.

 Did You Know? If your home was built before 1980, your electrical panel may not be designed to handle today’s energy demands. An upgrade can boost safety and efficiency.

Power Surges: Your Appliances Might Be at Risk

Power surges aren’t just caused by lightning. In fact, 80% of power surges originate inside your home due to faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or large appliances cycling on and off.

Signs of Frequent Power Surges and What They Mean

• Electronics randomly shutting off or resetting.
• Light bulbs burning out faster than usual.
• A burning smell near outlets or your breaker panel.

What You Can About Power Surges

• Use whole-home surge protectors to safeguard your appliances.
• If you experience frequent surges, have an electrician check for wiring issues or panel overloads.
• Avoid plugging too many high-powered devices into the same outlet.

  Pro Tip: Investing in a whole-home surge protector can extend the lifespan of your electronics and prevent costly replacements.

Sparking Outlets & Electrical Odors: A Warning Not To Ignore

If you see a spark when plugging in a device—or notice a burning smell near an outlet or breaker panel—act fast. These could indicate serious electrical hazards.

Possible Causes of Sparking Outlets or Odors

• Worn-out outlets that no longer provide a secure connection.
• Overheating wires due to excessive demand.
• Loose or damaged connections inside walls.

What You Can Do About Sparks or Odors

• Stop using the outlet immediately and turn off the breaker to that area.
• Avoid using extension cords as a long-term fix—this can lead to further overheating.
• Contact an electrician to replace faulty outlets or inspect for hidden wiring damage.

  Warning: If you ever smell burning plastic or fishy odors near an electrical panel or outlet, call a professional immediately—this could mean an imminent fire hazard.

Constantly Tripping Breakers: Is Your System Overloaded?

If your breaker trips occasionally, that’s normal—it’s doing its job to prevent overheating. But if breakers trip frequently, your electrical system might be struggling to keep up.

Common Reasons for Tripping Breakers

• Outdated electrical panels that can’t handle modern energy loads.
• Short circuits from faulty wiring or damaged outlets.
• Too many appliances running on a single circuit.

How to Fix Breakers Tripping

• Identify which circuit is tripping and reduce the load by unplugging devices.
• If the breaker still trips, it may be a sign of faulty wiring or a failing breaker that needs replacing.
• Consider upgrading your panel if your home still uses a 100-amp service—modern homes need at least 200 amps for optimal performance.

  Did You Know? Many older homes still have fuse boxes instead of breaker panels. If yours does, it’s time for an upgrade to improve safety and efficiency.

Buzzing Sounds & Hot Switch Plates: Electrical Trouble You Can Hear & Feel

If you hear a buzzing sound near electrical panels, outlets, or light switches—or if a switch plate feels hot to the touch—your wiring could be overheating.

Potential Causes

• Loose or frayed wiring inside the walls.
• Overloaded circuits causing excess heat buildup.
• Faulty light dimmers creating electrical resistance.

What You Can Do

• If an outlet, switch, or panel feels warm, stop using it immediately.
• Avoid DIY fixes—electrical work requires professional expertise.
• Have a licensed electrician inspect for wiring damage and overheating circuits.

  Important: Overheated wiring can lead to electrical fires. Don’t wait until there’s visible damage—get it checked ASAP.

Stay Safe & Upgrade Your Electricals When Needed

Electrical problems don’t just inconvenience you—they pose serious risks to your home, tenants, or business. If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs, don’t wait until an electrical failure occurs.

📞 Heart of Ohio’s licensed electricians specialize in troubleshooting, repairs, and full-system upgrades. Call us today to ensure your electrical system is running safely and efficiently!