Lights flickering then go off/on

[Alwayslearningelec]

Just recieved an email from a customer(guess they had my contact from estimating) that their lights keep flickering then shut off then come back on after a while. It is a small office that we renovated. I am going to forward this to the super but was curious about what this is. A short?

 

[qcroanoke]

Just recieved an email from a customer(guess they had my contact from estimating) that their lights keep flickering then shut off then come back on after a while. It is a small office that we renovated. I am going to forward this to the super but was curious about what this is. A short?

Probably a loose connection.

 

[jumper]

Bulbs or ballast. Electronic T8 ballasts have been a lot of trouble.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Thanks.. they siad it's also what is plugged into the outlets. Why would their power shut off then come back on....the coming back on is what was mind boggling to me. I'm sure the foreman will find the problem quickly.

 

[jumper]

Thanks.. they siad it's also what is plugged into the outlets. Why would their power shut off then come back on....the coming back on is what was mind boggling to me. I'm sure the foreman will find the problem quickly.

Lights and receptacles? That is a whole different problem. I would start with what QC said and check connections if I was sent.

These things can be a PITA to track down.

 

[kwired]

Bad connection, and if it appears to effect multiple circuits then it is on the service or a feeder someplace.

 

[T.M.Haja Sahib]

Bad connection,

I think IR scanning may be helpful to rule it out quickly.

 

[kwired]

I think IR scanning may be helpful to rule it out quickly.

IR scanning is good for predicting this kind of problem and taking care of ahead of time. OP's problem will be ovbious once they find it.

 

[T.M.Haja Sahib]

Does any arcing at the loose wire connections cause the flickering?If so,fast action is required before any fire breaks out.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Bad connection, and if it appears to effect multiple circuits then it is on the service or a feeder someplace.

So if multiple circuits are affected its not a bad connection with the branch wiring? Thats a good diagnosis tool?

 

[jumper]

So if multiple circuits are affected its not a bad connection with the branch wiring? Thats a good diagnosis tool?

Yes, but you got to remember that it could just be a MWBC.

 

[growler]

It is a small office that we renovated.

they siad it's also what is plugged into the outlets.

Yes, but you got to remember that it could just be a MWBC.

It could be anything from a breaker that's arcing out to a loose wire nut?

You need more information, the type that an electrician in the field will collect in the first few minutes.

How many circuits are effected? If more than one are they MWBC?

It's extremely hard to trouble-shoot with little information because you can't eliminate anything until you start to gather information. Once you start to eliminate things it can be as simple as falling off a log.

I wouldn't guess at it but wait and see what the guys in the field find.

 

[George Stolz]

We could guess all day. Send an electrician and remove all doubt.