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-   -   why do lights flicker ? (

amakarevic 05-26-2007 12:08 AM

why do lights flicker ?
and how do you stop them from oing that ?


- a

send_it_all 05-26-2007 03:02 AM

leave them off.

jwhite 05-26-2007 09:24 AM

What kind of lights? When to they flicker?

ron schenker 05-26-2007 04:37 PM


Originally Posted by send_it_all (Post 46306)
leave them off.

:laughing: :laughing: :thumbsup:

amakarevic 05-26-2007 05:29 PM

recess lights
i figure it may be because i did not splice the stranded 16-gauge from the appliance (recess light) to the 14-gauge solid feeder.

the light is brand new.

Speedy Petey 05-26-2007 06:36 PM

First off, stop calling it a "feeder". This is the completely wrong term and will cause confusion to some folks trying to help. I now see what you are talking about in the other thread.

If you did not splice the wires how is it coming on at all?

amakarevic 05-26-2007 08:35 PM

i did splice but i thought i did not do a good job. i respliced but to no avail :( i think there may be something wrong with the switch. i also used a very old scrap cable to go from the swicth to the light so it may be that so i will replace that with a brand new cable.

what should i call the "feeder" ? i appreciate your constructive criticism but it will be even more constructive if you provide a correction :thumbsup:

amakarevic 05-26-2007 08:36 PM

oops - in my post two posts ago i said that i "did not splice" but i meant to say that "i did not splice WELL ENOUGH".

Speedy Petey 05-26-2007 10:13 PM

A feeder would be what feeds a panel. What you are working with is a circuit.
I guess what is confusing is that circuits cab be "fed", or you can work with the "feed" to a circuit. I know it seems like semantics but these are not feeders.

It is entirely possible I am being too picky here, but it is just odd to see the wrong terms.
You are right, I should have provided an alternative before.

OK, describe "flicker".
Literally on and off?
Just dimming slightly?
Does the flickering correspond with anything else?

A (bad) splice will typically either work or not.

amakarevic 05-26-2007 11:14 PM

it is on and then it goes off for a split second.

jwhite 05-27-2007 07:53 AM

What type of light bulbs are you using? What type of switch? I doubt the problem is in your splices.

A service wire comes in from the utility to a meter then from a meter to the main panel. A feeder goes from the main panel to a sub panel, or from one sub panel to the next sub panel. A branch circuit goes from a panel to "outlets". The code definition of an "outlet" is anything that uses electricity. Most standard switches are not outlets because they control electricity they do not use it. Lights and appliances use electricity.

While we are on the topic, a "plug" goes on the end of your appliance cord. A "recepticle" is there in the wall for you to plug the appliance into it.

pruane 05-27-2007 09:10 AM

All of the lights in the house?
Just 1 circuit? 1 leg?

Does it go off or just dim?

NateHanson 05-27-2007 12:24 PM

What other items are powered by that circuit? Is something like a refrigerator or AC on that circuit? Anything else with an automatically or thermostatically controlled motor?
When a motor starts up, it draws a lot of current, and particularly for a PC light it might cause it to go off for a second whenever the fridge cycles on for example.
