Flourescent lighting problem

Mogsy007 · Nov 1, 2016

Recently, I have had issues with fluorescent tube lights flashing in the house and shed. Also low voltage bulbs in the living room have flashed on occasion.

Can anyone please offer some advise on this? I'm worried that we have some issues with the electrics throughout the house. I haven't asked around the street to see if anyone else if having similar issues.

I swapped a tube on one of the strip lights and it made no difference. Could it be down to a voltage drop in the house?

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

westward10 · Nov 1, 2016

When you say flashing are they going off and on or dimming down and up.

Mogsy007 · Nov 1, 2016

They go off completely, then on again. This can continue for a short period and then they're okay again.

Marvo · Nov 1, 2016

Are you a sparky? Have you tested the on-line voltage at the fitting and at the MCB?

westward10 · Nov 1, 2016

Sounds like something loose.

Mogsy007 · Nov 2, 2016

Marvo said:
Are you a sparky? Have you tested the on-line voltage at the fitting and at the MCB?

I'm not an electrician, but wouldn't mind being if I had the gumption to learn and get qualified.

I was thinking of a voltage test, but I guess it would be awkward to catch it at the light end as it's happening.

westward10 said:
Sounds like something loose.

As it's happening at various parts of the house which are on different circuits, I imagine it would be where the power comes into the house at the meter....Surely we would be having constant problems if so.

Deleted member 26818 · Nov 2, 2016

Check for a buzzing noise coming from somewhere near the consumer unit or the main fuse.

Taylortwocities · Nov 2, 2016

Do all of the lights go off/flash at the same time?

telectrix · Nov 2, 2016

had similar issue with a customer. problem was at peak times his supply at the CU was down to 207V.

Wilko · Nov 2, 2016

The Ghost · Nov 5, 2016

If they are on the same circuit then I agree with Westward10 loose connections. You should get a spark to check for heat damage on the MCB. If it is a loose connection fire could result, get it checked out for peace of mind. Don't wish to be alarmist and it is worst case scenario. It is why we now have to fit metal boxes to check fire from loose connections.

Mogsy007 · Nov 27, 2016

telectrix said:
had similar issue with a customer. problem was at peak times his supply at the CU was down to 207V.

I managed to test the voltage at the consumer unit last night and it was 210v. This was maybe 4 or 5pm. I couldn't test at the main fuse as the electric couldn't be turned off at the time. This morning at 10am it was 237v. It was also 237v at the main fuse.

I guess I need to speak to the electricity company over the low voltage at peak times, then.

Mogsy007 · Apr 22, 2017

I thought I would take the time to update those that posted here.

I noticed that a regional electricity van was visiting a neighbour and went to speak to them. I enquired as to whether they were investigating a low voltage problem to which they confirmed they were. The neighbour was having severe issues with voltage dropping to around 150V when they turn on their shower.

They said there were other issues in the area and that the electricity would be turned off later in the day so it could be rectified.

To my knowledge, the power in the area never went off, but things don't appear to be so bad anymore.

I replaced the fluorescent tubes with LED ones, so didn't really notice anything change after that.