Više svetala trepće u kući

Trepćuća sijalica može se tumačiti kao lokalni problem — sijalica je istrošena, svetlosna instalacija je loše povezana, ili može biti da imate jeftin dimmer. Ali ako više od jedne sijalice trepće istovremeno, u različitim sobama, treba da sagledate situaciju drugačije. Mnoge trepćuće sijalice signaliziraju problem uzvodno: zajednička električna veza, zajednički krug, ili napajanje. Ovo je bitna informacija, jer neki problemi mogu biti rešeni promenom sijalice, dok drugi predstavljaju pravu opasnost i zahtevaju hitnu intervenciju od strane elektrodistributivne kompanije ili licenciranog električara.

Odgovor na ovo je jednostavan: ako svetla trepću u različitim sobama u isto vreme, to je najverovatnije rezultat problema u uzvodnom krugu, npr. labave veze u jednom ili više delova kruga, neispravan osigurač i/ili priključci, prekinut neutralni ili neujednačen napon na strani elektrodistributivne kompanije. Najvažnija stvar koju treba utvrditi prilikom odgovaranja na ovo pitanje je kada se treptanje dešava. Ako svetla nestaju svaki put kada neki veliki uređaj poput klima uređaja, frižidera, pumpe za vodu ili sušilice počne da radi, to često ukazuje na pad napona kao rezultat labave ili nedovoljne veze. Ako se treptanje dešava bez obzira na to da li su uključeni neki veliki uređaji, treba sumnjati na oštećenje u neutralnom provodniku ili napojnoj liniji što potencijalno može biti najgori scenario. Ako se treptanje dešava samo u jednom krugu, problem leži u tom specifičnom krugu. Samo treptanje ne znači opasnost od požara, ali ako se treptanje dešava zajedno sa mirisom paljenja, zujanjem, toplim prednjim panelima ili trepćućim svetlima, to zapravo znači hitnu situaciju – isključite sve i pozovite električara/elektrodistributivnu kompaniju!

Šta višestruko treptanje govori

Broj svetiljki u analizi je prvi kritični aspekt koji treba ispitati, što dovodi do podele analize na tri dela.

Ako samo jedna svetiljka trepće, problem je lokalno ograničen na ili prekidač, ili drajver, ili lampu, ili utičnicu. Ožičenje je u redu.

Ako više svetiljki trepće, problem se čini negde duž ožičenja, što može ukazivati na vezu u razvodnoj kutiji, osigurač, ili na dimmer ili prekidač odgovoran za napajanje više svetiljki.

U slučaju da svetla trepću povremeno u različitim krugovima i sobama, problem leži uzvodno od grana u razvodnoj kutiji, glavnoj vezi, neutralnom provodniku, ili kod pružaoca usluga. Ovaj slučaj predstavlja najveću opasnost.

Postoji još jedna dimenzija koja se mora uzeti u obzir pored broja trepćućih svetala: da li treptanje odgovara određenom događaju u vremenu. Trepćuće svetlo koje se dešava zajedno sa uključivanjem određenih uređaja sugeriše da postoji problem sa naponom i generacijom opterećenja. Trepćuće svetlo koje je nasumično, kontinuirano, ili se dešava kada nijedan uređaj nije uključen sugeriše kvar napajanja ili kvar veze u instalaciji. Trepćuće svetlo koje se dešava u određenim periodima dana i je gore tokom vršnih sati ukazuje na opterećenje od strane komunalnog preduzeća i kvar na termalnoj vezi. Uspostavljanje tih veza je glavni deo dijagnostike i neće potrajati dugo.

Uzroci, rangirani po težini

The table gives importance to neutral connection in modern split-phase service systems. It is the neutral connection that helps stabilize 480 volts in the two hot wires. When loose or high-resistance problems occur, the reference of the neutral changes. This causes the two hot wires to become unequal in voltage. If this happens one hot wire may have a voltage above what it is supposed to carry while the other hot wire may get a voltage lower than the standard voltage. Therefore loads connected to the two wires would behave as if they are connected in series. The outcome of this phenomenon is not just mere flickering of lights; it may result in high voltage on one side of the house and low voltage on the other.

Kako da to dijagnostikujete sami

Some of this process can be done safely while some not. The instructions which appear below stop where the panel becomes loose and might pass.

• Examine the pattern with care. Write down the flickering rooms with information on whether they belong to the same circuit and if the flickering coincides with appliance start-ups. It should be noted that often this single observation helps detect the problem.
• Distinguish whether the flickering occurs everywhere or in just one circuit. Turn off every breaker except for the one feeding the flickering fixture and then repeat the process but change the fixture this time. If the flicker remains the same, the issue is in that circuit.
• Check obvious appliances. A single appliance start-up can cause a flash of dimming on the whole house in case of a large appliance being used — air conditioner, well pump, refrigerator, dryer, welder. The small flash on the start-up of the engine happens all the time and should not bring the concern; however, if the flickering is permanent or happens with the appliances that should not cause it, the situation is serious.
• Test a big load. Turn on an appliance with high power consumption — a kettle or a heater and observe the flash. The flickering should point to a burnt connection.
• Look at paired symptoms. If there is a situation when lights on one part of the house are brighter while lights in another part of the house are dimmer at the same moment, treat it as a neutral problem. Shut off the circuit at the main breaker and call the electrical company.
• Check the heat, noise, and smell. If the faceplate is hot or burnt or there is the smell of burning, do not use this circuit.
• Check the circuit for what you are able to check. Deactivate the circuit and check for a loose light bulb and discolored sockets. Do not open the panel as it may be dangerous.
• Measure the voltage if you can.

The discipline of testing before touching is the same as for any electrical work, and the sequence for a fixture-level job is set out in our guide to zamenu svetlosnog prekidača, which covers isolation, proving dead, and safe termination.

Rešenja za svaki uzrok

The required repairs will depend on which layer is causing the issue.

• Complete house flickering with light and dark pattern. This would require calling for utility services. There could be a failure of the neutral connection at the transformer or at the service drop, at the meter base, or even at the weather head, and the utility has to find out the reason. Do not turn on the power again until it has been confirmed that the power supply is safe, as the repeated voltage application can harm a lot of appliances.
• The buzzing or overheating of the panel can be an indication of loose primary connection. In this case, the service of a certified electrician would be necessary. When the primary connection is loose, which may lead to high levels of arcing, no homeowner is able to fix this problem.
• Only one circuit is affected, which is why most probably the loose connection took place. It would require the services of a licensed electrician. The whole process includes locating the point of termination, re wiring this connection, and checking all other connections in the box because the presence of one loose connection always implies that there are other ones.
• There is a broken breaker. Replace it. There are signs to detect a broken breaker: it becomes hot while touched, it produces buzzing sounds, etc. Replacement of a broken circuit breaker is possibly the most inexpensive repair against the possible results of breaking. The replaced device has to be of the type recognized by the manufacturer of the breaker being repaired.
• If the flickering is constant, running a large appliance can probably be the reason for it. If it is evident, then one is probably facing the cases of arcs in the connection, the case of a long run, or air conditioning working on the edge of its working capacity. Here it is necessary to check every possible connection, whether it needs repair or replacement.
• The case of LED flickering on a dimmed circuit means that fixing it is one of the simplest because in most cases everything depends only on the correct understanding of the process of operation of the device.The practical guidance is in our guide to ugradnja prekidača za prigušivanje.

Where a dimmer cannot be made to work with a given fitting — usually because the lamp electronics and the dimmer’s output stage are fundamentally incompatible — the alternatives are covered in our article on dimming LED lights without a dimmer switch.

A number of identical light fittings failing shows that there is a common issue with such fixtures; that is the driver electronics. The warranty can come into play here, and it is likely that replacing these fittings will be more affordable than repairing them.

Kada je to opasnost od požara

Flickering lights do not necessarily represent a danger. For many years, a low-quality LED bulb connected to an incompatible dimmer will flicker without any threat to safety. The only query that one could have in such a case is if the flickering is a result of a hot joint.

A problem should be taken as a proper hazard and action should be taken if any of the following indicators appear:

• A burning plastic odor around the electrical elements.
• Faceplates or switch plate become hot or change color, indicating overheating behind.
• Buzzing or crackling noise in the switch, outlet, or panel.
• Sign of burning, soot, or melted insulation in any part of the circuit.
• Lights go on and off simultaneously in different areas of the building, which indicates neutral loss.
• Same flickering situation is observed together with electrical devices failures in the same circuits.
• A smell of burning fish wafts, without any visible reason, which sometimes indicates a faulty connection.

What happens is that the loose connection has a higher resistance than that of copper. Therefore, when current passes through the faulty connection, it produces heat. The resulting heat burns the surface of the wire and increases resistance, which leads to even more heating. The process repeats herself. Therefore, the faulty connection is more dangerous than light bulb failure.

Uređaji koje treba proveriti i zameniti

Several devices in the system can be at fault for flicker, while knowing who to blame can help save time.

When it comes to changing light switches and plugs, quality of the product comes in play. Instead of the most economical product, specification-grade technology with screw terminals and excellent contact components ensure high performance of the devices in the circuit already experiencing problems. The selection criteria — certification, contact material, terminal design, and documented ratings — are the same ones set out in our guide to choosing an electric switch and socket manufacturer, and they matter most where the installation has a history of heat or intermittent faults.

Understanding which switch type is appropriate for the circuit also prevents the mismatches that cause an installation to be reopened later, and the families are described in our overview of različitih vrsta prekidača koji se koriste u električnim instalacijama.

Sprečavanje ponavljanja

The majority of flickering issues occur due to connections that either have never been properly done or have been slowly but surely failing for years.

• Choose screw terminals over push-in connections. Back-stab connections are less secure and become loose due to temperature cycling.
• Tighten connections according to specifications rather than through feel. Under-tightened connections become loose while over-tightening damages the conductor.
• Pay special attention to aluminum conductors during maintenance work. Aluminum expands and contracts much more than copper and causes termination failures and requires accessories marked accordingly.
• Always balance loads on two legs. Circuits with very low neutral loads may see a significant voltage difference.
• Inspect the service panel and the service itself regularly, especially in older buildings or coastal areas prone to corrosion.
• Don’t ignore the first case of equipment failure. One dead appliance can be just a coincidence. Two dead appliances on the same circuit can signal a problem.
• Notify the utility service about flicker before anything fails. The utility service is able to check the quality of the supply and take care of an issue on its side.

ФАК

Da li treptanje uvek znači električne probleme?

The answer is negative. Temporary dimming caused by a major motor start-up is a standard phenomenon due to inrush current, and a low-cost LED bulb used with an incompatible dimmer may flicker for an indefinite time without a technical problem. The most important indicator of a problem is the pattern: continuous flickering, flickering that appears independently from the load, flickering accompanied by heating, smell, or noise, and flickering that results in brightening in some parts of a house and dimming in the other parts of it. All of these patterns are indicative of the connection or supply fault rather than a characteristic of a lamp driver and should be investigated.

Zašto više svetala trepće u mom svetlu?

If a number of bulbs connected to one fixture flicker together, it could be caused by a driver/ballast issue, especially if the bulbs were replaced at the same time and all of them are flickering. If several different fixtures connected to one switch or dimmer flicker, then the switch/dimmer becomes the common point, and its compatibility with the load should be checked. If the lights powered from different circuits flicker together, then check the shared connections upstream and the power source, as it is impossible to have a common fixture problem in this case.

Da li treba da brinem o trepćućim svetlima?

This is totally dependent on the symptoms and the flickering pattern.Such flickering on an LED circuit (which has no heat, smell, or sound) is simply a nuisance instead of a risk, and its resolution involves either compatibility with a proper dimmer or an improvement in the lamp quality. Flicker that is accompanied by warmth, buzzing sounds, a burning odor, or alternating bright and dim light in multiple rooms can be viewed as a risk to safety, and thus needs urgent attention. In case of doubt, the simplest thing to do is to turn off all devices in the affected circuit and turn off the main switch; the actual repair is less expensive than potential damage taken.

Da li su trepćuća svetla opasnost od požara?

The flicker itself does not create danger as the cause of flickering (the loose or high-resistance connection) has to do with it. Current passing through a poor joint generates heat at that very point, thus causing the oxidation of a conductor, which raises resistance and generates even more heat. Eventually, steady functioning of the whole above-mentioned cycle leads to arcing, which can ignite the surrounding material. Various warning signals that flicker has transformed from a nuisance into a danger include smell of burning stuff, warm faceplates with changed colors, buzzing or crackling sounds, burnt marks, and frequent failures of the devices on the same circuit. All of these need immediate shutting down of electronics and the assistant of an electrician to be summoned.

Može li labavi neutralni uzrokovati treptanje svetala širom kuće?

Yes, it can and is the worst common cause of the whole house flicker. In a split-phase supply system, neutral serves as a reference point, maintaining equal parameters of both 120V phases. When it is loose and has high resistance, it can cause the two phases to be divided as one of them will become more powerful, while the other one will require supply of energy. The appearance of lights appearing in some part of the house while they are fading in another part indicates that there can be damaged electronics and even burned engines instead of ordinary flickering bulbs. It is better to hurry up and turn off the power from the main switch and call either utility or an electrician.

Reference

• NFPA — National Electrical Code, Grounding and Bonding Requirements
• UL Solutions — Wiring Devices, Lampholders and Lighting System Components
• U.S. Department of Energy — Power Quality and Residential Wiring Guidance
• OSHA — Electrical Safety and Connection Integrity Standards

Закључак

The presence of several flickering lights is a sign rather than a diagnosis. In order to determine the cause of multiple flickers, two questions must be answered: the number of affected circuits and simultaneous events. Flickering lights in one fixture indicate a lamp or driver malfunction. Flickering lights in one circuit indicate a shared connection problem or malfunctioning circuit breaker. Flickering lights occurring in the whole house, especially in case of some lights glowing brighter while some dimming in different rooms, indicate a neutral problem or supply issue — this situation is the one that can cause equipment damage or fires. Learn the symptoms of nuisance flickering and dangerous flickering — heat, smell, buzz, burn marks, bright and dim lights, and turn off the power at the main switch instead of simply watching the lights. Fix the problem yourself by replacing dimmer, lamp, or improperly connected device. Leave panel, lugs, and connections to an electrician and report your flickering issues to the utility company instead of waiting for something to break down. There are usually normal explanations of flickering; in case of unusual ones, it’s better to pay attention to them immediately.