Light flickering while using a hair styling iron
 

Hello:).. I have a concern..hope someone can offer insight..this has never happened before. I bought a curling/straightening iron called "Instyler"..while in use it causes the light in the room to flicker. Is this normal? Power of the curling iron is 120 Volts, 60 Hertz and 135 Watts.

That's a pretty low wattage, it certainly shouldn't cause any problems. Try plugging it in somewhere else (different circuit) and see if the problem follows the iron, maybe it's malfunctioning?

Thanks..i did try it out in another room and still get the flickering:eek: scary.. my building is old, prewar

Reread the wattage again. It sounds too low.

ty..per the manufacturer it is 135 Watts

A curling iron could well be in the 150 watt range. A hair dryer would be in a higher range like 1000 watts.

You have a loose connection somewhere, either in the receptacle you are using or somewhere upstream. You need to measure hot to neutral voltage in several places including at the panel to narrow it down, while someone else turns the curling iron on and off.

Thanks for the info. The plug fits into the outlet, but I noticed it is the slightest bit loose. Maybe i can use an adapter to get a firmer hold?

No is it a brand name product? Take it back get another.

Karen: it sounds as if your experiencing a overload to that particular circuit. I've troubleshooted issues as that before. Replacing that one loss receptacle will definitely help one that one note being the prongs in that receptacle is worn out. Ohming the panel to the receptacle point seeing what ur reading is will help..let you where your problem begins; then consulting with an electrician to fix the problem. Another thing would be to checking weather the line to the breaker in your panel is properly tighten.

It could very well be the breaker itself is defected.