Hi everyone, hoping to get some recommendations about a problem I'm having. Before I continue, I know the answer is "call a qualified electrician before your house burns down or you get electricuted". But I'd like to get as much information as I can to see if I can narrow down the problem a little. I have replaced light switches, installed and cabled new plugs and new sconces w/fixtures etc. I've been shocked before and all that. I'm no expert but don't live in fear of the unkown either. I won't be offended if you assume I know nothing and explain things in detail because it's been nearly two years since I did the last work.
Ok, here's the issue. I have a number of lights in the house that go dim, or "flicker" all in unison. This has happened about 6 times in the last month, meaning 6 episodes where for a half hour or an hour they exhibit this behavior, then stop and don't do it for a few days.
Facts about the house: Built in 1989 in San Diego area, I'm sure with the worst materials available.
Troubleshooting so far: These lights are definitely on the same circuit, no lights on any other breaker or devices exhibit this behavior. I've turned off the main, and looked carefully at what I can see behind the metal plate and I see no obvious evidence of "arcing", burn marks, discoloration that I've read could appear if a wire is finding a ground and "bzzt". I've listened to the breaker and I might be hearing a strange electricity-like noise but it's not a quiet area. One thing I could do, is I have a breaker that doesn't appear to go to anything we use and I could switch the wires to see if that solves the problem and if so, replace the defective breaker.
Other things I've done, I've tried turning off everything on that circuit except a single device at a time and the problem still persists for that single device. I guess, one question would be, could something other than a problem at the breaker affect all devices on the circuit?
I will note that there are no new fixtures or plugs on this circuit installed by me. I have replaced light fixtures but all the wiring etc. was already there. The part that sucks, is that this circuit happens to have a very high chandelier and a very heavy ceiling fan.
So I'm looking for troubleshooting steps that would be worthwhile or direction.
I would think that the problem if not at the breaker is either behind a plug or a light switch, assuming the wiring isn't totally messed up, and not behind the light fixture itself, does that sound right? or no?
Would it make sense to do something like, open a couple switches or plugs at a time and cap off wires firmly and track it down that way?
suggestions?
Ok, here's the issue. I have a number of lights in the house that go dim, or "flicker" all in unison. This has happened about 6 times in the last month, meaning 6 episodes where for a half hour or an hour they exhibit this behavior, then stop and don't do it for a few days.
Facts about the house: Built in 1989 in San Diego area, I'm sure with the worst materials available.
Troubleshooting so far: These lights are definitely on the same circuit, no lights on any other breaker or devices exhibit this behavior. I've turned off the main, and looked carefully at what I can see behind the metal plate and I see no obvious evidence of "arcing", burn marks, discoloration that I've read could appear if a wire is finding a ground and "bzzt". I've listened to the breaker and I might be hearing a strange electricity-like noise but it's not a quiet area. One thing I could do, is I have a breaker that doesn't appear to go to anything we use and I could switch the wires to see if that solves the problem and if so, replace the defective breaker.
Other things I've done, I've tried turning off everything on that circuit except a single device at a time and the problem still persists for that single device. I guess, one question would be, could something other than a problem at the breaker affect all devices on the circuit?
I will note that there are no new fixtures or plugs on this circuit installed by me. I have replaced light fixtures but all the wiring etc. was already there. The part that sucks, is that this circuit happens to have a very high chandelier and a very heavy ceiling fan.
So I'm looking for troubleshooting steps that would be worthwhile or direction.
I would think that the problem if not at the breaker is either behind a plug or a light switch, assuming the wiring isn't totally messed up, and not behind the light fixture itself, does that sound right? or no?
Would it make sense to do something like, open a couple switches or plugs at a time and cap off wires firmly and track it down that way?
suggestions?