All lights within flat are flickering

[Skimpy Wan]

Evening,

Over the past few days all lamps within my flat have started flickering constantly - this includes single pendants on dimmers, GU10 light fittings in hallway and lounge, down lighters (GU10s) in kitchen, as well as the cooker hood light.

I've checked all terminals within the consumer unit and they're all tight.

We've been here (it's rented) for 3 years (and it's about 15 years old) and there hasn't been any work undertaken.

Any idea what would suddenly start causing this (I haven't had any alterations done) or what tests I should undertake?

 

[MDJ]

Loose neutral at the main switch in the Distribution Board?

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Unfortunately I've left all tools in Bournemouth where I'm working and haven't got my MFT or two prong tester with me either. I will be bring them back next week, but wanted to know where people thought to check.

Thanks for the response though.

 

[Richard Burns]

I would agree with the loose connection scenario, this can happen at any time.

If you have unstable power on lights and hob then the problem sounds like it is before the consumer unit, possibly the service head (is it hot?).

Alternatively there could be something just failing and drawing a lot of power and dimming things, then the short stops and power recovers.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

The in comers was my next thought, but as I had to rush home I've left my tools in my weekly digs. I'll bring them back next week and check all terminals are tight (again) and then I guess it's just testing all circuits for tolerances?

 

[Knobhead]

Thought I'd wandered in to the DIY section, what's this doing in here?

 

[plugsandsparks]

Actually reminds me of when I had my meter changed. Old meter stopped working so guy comes to fit new one. Cuts seals and one of the short cables from the head to the meter just came out without undoing. Point being, we all do EICRs and the like and tighten all OUR terminals but never meter or service head connections. From what I could see these are just as much a maintenance issue as anything else and when do these get checked........err never ? Can the guys who do mainly domestic comment on whether this is a common issue and whether the sparky just cuts and tightens ? - It would make sense but err not to regulation

 

[Guest111]

I went to a fire in a small shop once,the owner rang me as he could smell something but didn't know what it was,described as something like TCP,anyway the cutout had overheated and went up.you could clearly see the screws were loose on the live terminal but the man from DNO was adamant they were tight,obviously they don't want to admit liability.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Thought I'd wandered in to the DIY section, what's this doing in here?

Apologies if I misplaced the thread and it upset you.

I put it in here as I guessed that the problem would be consumer unit, DNO related (although admittedly I didn't state that in my OP) and thought that if it was in the DIY section, which the general public can view, then this may give someone who isn't competent the idea to start loosening and checking the in comers etc.

As I previously stated I have checked the terminals within the CU and they seemed fine. The lights appeared to be stable again afterwards, but they have now started flickering again and I don't have any tools with me - school boy error I know.

Finally, the DNO in comers and meter are all cool to the touch.

 

[Hawkmoon]

You said the cooker hob was effected - did you mean the hood?

Have you established if more than one circuit is effected?

 

[Darkwood]

Lights flickering and power issues with appliances first thing to do is ISOLATE the power, its clear a common connection is loose whether it be DNO side or Consumer side..... if it is as suggested and likely a loose common connection the it poses a fire risk and safety risk too... if you loose say the N and an existing N/E fault may make the installation very dangerous.


Check N bar and main SW/RCD connections
Check Busbar is located on the correct side of the mcb, rcbo etc clamps...
Check the L common connections

Do not wiggle any tails entering the cutout just in case its a burnout ...you could blow it up - check for heat build up.

 

[telectrix]

darkwood. it's his own flat. he's come home from working away with his tools etc. left at work.

 

[Darkwood]

My apologies ..post edited thx Tel ..just scanned it and missed that bit.

 

[R G]

You could try table lamps in the sockets and see if you have the same problem with the lamp , that would at least tell you if its supply or D/B related ,,

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Sorry it was a long day yesterday and stated hob rather than hood.

I'll have to check all circuits ASAP, but for now I have only noticed the issue on the lighting circuit and the cooker hood light.

As previously stated I have checked the CU terminals are all tight and correctly wired, so I'll have to check everything properly next weekend when I'm back home with tools.

Obviously arcing is a major concern, but it just seems odd that it's suddenly started without any circuits having been touch.

 

[MDJ]

Trust me a loose Neutral, somewhere, not sure where thats your problem unfortunately but it is there somewhere.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

I guess I'll give the misses the wrong idea when she comes home and I'm sat in a room lit by candle light then. Lol.

As always, thanks for those actually bothering to respond. I had suspected the issue being with a loose connection (probably the N), but wanted to get other opinions on this as well.

 

[MDJ]

I guess I'll give the misses the wrong idea when she comes home and I'm sat in a room lit by candle line then. Lol.

As always, thanks for those actually bothering to respond. I had suspected the issue being with a loose connection (probably the N), but wanted to get other opinions on this was well.

No problem, good luck with it.

 

[Hawkmoon]

If the hood is on the same circ as lights then you may be just looking at a loose feed in ceiling rose whatever.

 

[Hawkmoon]

Trust me a loose Neutral, somewhere, not sure where thats your problem unfortunately but it is there somewhere.

Funny how it's more often the neutral (certainly in my experience with supply) - remember this being discussed on 2391 course - nobody could come up with a viable reason for it.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Funny how it's more often the neutral (certainly in my experience with supply) - remember this being discussed on 2391 course - nobody could come up with a viable reason for it.

It's to do with the rotation of the electrons.

The live electrons all rotate in a clockwise direction thus helping to keep the terminal screws tight.

The neutral electrons rotate in an anti-clockwise direction which causes the terminal screws to loosen.

The solution to the problem is to make all neutral terminal screws left hand thread and and all live terminal screws right hand thread.

 

[Darkwood]

It's to do with the rotation of the electrons.

The live electrons all rotate in a clockwise direction thus helping to keep the terminal screws tight.

The neutral electrons rotate in an anti-clockwise direction which causes the terminal screws to loosen.


The solution to the problem is to make all neutral terminal screws left hand thread and and all live terminal screws right hand thread.

From a Quantum theorist your so full sarcastic crap but it made me chuckle!

 

[7029 dave]

Loose connection, either on DNO service or db, is there an dp isolation switch inbetween meter an cu?, that could be loose.

 

[Geordie Spark]

From a Quantum theorist your so full sarcastic crap but it made me chuckle!

I'm a Scientific Instrument Maker & Precision Engineer to trade (yes .. really) so it seemed perfectly sensible to me.

 

[telectrix]

It's to do with the rotation of the electrons.

The live electrons all rotate in a clockwise direction thus helping to keep the terminal screws tight.

The neutral electrons rotate in an anti-clockwise direction which causes the terminal screws to loosen.

The solution to the problem is to make all neutral terminal screws left hand thread and and all live terminal screws right hand thread.

can't fault that. it also explains the phenomenon of overheating terminations. with the live and neutral electrons rotating in opposite directions they will obviously collide. these collisions giving rise to heat. what is needed is some neutrons to act as traffic lights.
c

 

[Geordie Spark]

can't fault that. it also explains the phenomenon of overheating terminations. with the live and neutral electrons rotating in opposite directions they will obviously collide. these collisions giving rise to heat. what is needed is some neutrons to act as traffic lights.
c

I like your thinking.

 

[ipf]

can't fault that. it also explains the phenomenon of overheating terminations. with the live and neutral electrons rotating in opposite directions they will obviously collide. these collisions giving rise to heat. what is needed is some neutrons to act as traffic lights.
c

Sound more like traffic wardens to me.....they aren't the ones being charged, either.

 

[Hawkmoon]

It's to do with the rotation of the electrons.

The live electrons all rotate in a clockwise direction thus helping to keep the terminal screws tight.

The neutral electrons rotate in an anti-clockwise direction which causes the terminal screws to loosen.

The solution to the problem is to make all neutral terminal screws left hand thread and and all live terminal screws right hand thread.

Should have saved this for next Tuesday!

 

[Skimpy Wan]

All lights appeared to be alright, again, tonight, with all the usual items being used - computer, TV, lighting etc.

I'll keep an eye on things and check everything ASAP.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Should have saved this for next Tuesday!

Haha ... I had to think about that one, but got there eventually!

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Managed to acquire a table lamp today and after plugging it into the ring it is evident that it effecting all circuits.

Fingers crossed everything holds up for the misses until I'm home next weekend with my tools.

 

[MDJ]

Managed to acquire a table lamp today and after plugging it into the ring it is evident that it effecting all circuits.

Fingers crossed everything holds up for the misses until I'm home next weekend with my tools.

Go and buy a screwdriver from B&Q and tighten the neutral in the incommer in the dist board, infact tighten all conductors in the dist board, all of them.

 

[Darkwood]

Id do as suggested above go out buy some cheap tackle and start trying to resolve the issue ...... a good thing to try is put 2 or 3 heavy loads on and go to the DB and see if you can see, hear or smell anything... not the safe method but needs must needs be.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Thanks for the recommendations / advice. Bloody annoyed I left everything 110 miles away so I can't test anything easily.

I guess I'll be spending tomorrow trying to sort this out, despite having previously checked all connections are tight.

If anything goes wrong it's been nice talking to you all! Lol

 

[trev]

None of your mates got any gear you could borrow? There must be someone living near you that owes you a favour

 

[MDJ]

Damien Skelton Is not too far away, 50 notes and a cuppa he might pop in if you pm him

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Unfortunately I don't know anyone in London and all tools are in Bournemouth.

I found my MFT hidden in the car, so I guess I'll head to the wholesalers tomorrow for some screwdrivers etc - pain in the arse when I've already got gear though.

 

[trev]

Surely one of the neighbours must have a driver or two you could borrow! If it's not VDE rated you could use insulting tape, rough and dodgy I know but better than nowt mate.

 

[Knobhead]

Regarding my earlier comment about the DIY section. I unreservedly apologise to the DIY mob, there is something far worse and it’s here in this thread.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Once again Tony your comments are constructive and useful. Thanks again.

Apologies for asking a question about a situation that I've never come across before. I guess the forum isn't here to help people out with general questions and to gain further knowledge from more experienced / time spent electricians?