tiptop
Member
- Location
- New Jersey
I was called on a complaint of flickering recessed lights. When I arrive I am told that a previous electrician has replaced all six cans with new. I find that the new work cans have been replaced with cans from the same maker. I find that the work has been done carefully and the modular connectors have been replaced with wirenuts. I am also told the bulbs have been replaced. I visit a 4 gang switch to find 2, 3-way and 2 single pole switches all powered from the end of a branch circuit. No feed thru. I remake the hot and neutral bundles, check voltage and am told that the single pole switch has just been replaced. The other fixtures powered from this box dont flicker. I am told if the switch is eliminated the flicker is unimproved.
I can see the customer is frustrated so I tell him the same thing I told him on the phone "its usually the bulbs" but he insists that I change the breaker on the branch circuit and I do. I'm a 35 year man and I'm thinking there is nothing left to check except every wirenut connection and the romex between the cans. Understand there is no voltage fluctuation anywhere and I think changing the builders cans (in a newish house) was unlikely to fix the problem unless the lampholders were heated/burned. I reccommend expensive Cree recessed inserts. I also tell him to try A-19 bulbs and see if they flicker just to eliminate all electronics from the circuit which has no dimmer and is running at a level 123 volts.
Today the customer called and asked me to put his old breaker back which I will do. My impression is that the previous electrician while foolish did replace the cans carefully and paid attention to every connection. My experience tells me bulbs or loose neutral at the switchbox or a modular connector. I stopped using R -lamps for recessed years ago. I think its the bulbs but would appreciate hearing what all of you think. Thanks.
I can see the customer is frustrated so I tell him the same thing I told him on the phone "its usually the bulbs" but he insists that I change the breaker on the branch circuit and I do. I'm a 35 year man and I'm thinking there is nothing left to check except every wirenut connection and the romex between the cans. Understand there is no voltage fluctuation anywhere and I think changing the builders cans (in a newish house) was unlikely to fix the problem unless the lampholders were heated/burned. I reccommend expensive Cree recessed inserts. I also tell him to try A-19 bulbs and see if they flicker just to eliminate all electronics from the circuit which has no dimmer and is running at a level 123 volts.
Today the customer called and asked me to put his old breaker back which I will do. My impression is that the previous electrician while foolish did replace the cans carefully and paid attention to every connection. My experience tells me bulbs or loose neutral at the switchbox or a modular connector. I stopped using R -lamps for recessed years ago. I think its the bulbs but would appreciate hearing what all of you think. Thanks.
