Category: Electrical Problems

TV screen flickers when lights switched on

TV screen flickers

SOLVED TV Screen flickers

I recently had a call about someone’s TV screen  flickers  out or going blank for a moment when the switch on any light in the house or bathroom fan. After checking for any loose connections on the lighting circuit, I then focused on the equipment. They had a LCD TV with a satellite box wired through a string of extension leads. I tried to change to just one extension lead but the problem was still there. Then I plug the TV and sat box straight into the wall sockets but the problem was still there. Next we tried an extension lead with Surge Protector and Mains Filter. But still the same problem.

Then we took a look at the lead from the sat box to the TV. . It was a cheap hdmi lead. We swapped that for a high quality one and hay presto the problem had gone!

 

A special thank to © Andreadams1974 @ https://www.stockfreeimages.com for tv image

Problems matching dimmers to LED lamps & bulbs

You may encounter many problems fitting dimmers to led lamps and bulbs. Lights may stutter or flicker while dimming as well as flicker in set positions

I recently was asked to fit a dimmer in a lounge which had 15, 5w Led GU10s. The client had already bought a dimmer which on the pack said 60 to 400w. However once i opened the pack and read the leaflet inside for Incandescent the load was 60 to 400w but for LED’s it was 5 to 50w. I have noticed that a lot of packaging is not stating the load specs for LED lamps. I feel this is something which needs to improve as most installations are gradually switching to LED’s. as well make sure what is the maximum number of Led’s which can be used on the dimmer

How much is too much upfront?

How much is too much upfront?

I was speaking to an old friend who told me he had been ripped of buy a builder. He paid 90% upfront! Right then I thought where is the incentive for the builder to complete the job? I can’t think of any reason why labour should be paid in advance.  My thoughts are that small jobs should be paid after a job is done.  Last year I needed a plasterer. One came round and quoted me £1200 but the sticking point was he wanted £800 upfront, needless to say I didn’t use him. Any established builder will have an account with the builder’s merchants so there is no need to pay such a high percentage up front.

I can understand on very big jobs paying money each week as parts are being completed but that is at your discretion. Whatever you do, before you agree have everything in writing as a formal contract. Don’t be tempted for cash in hand work to save money. It could cost you double in the long run.  Also do an online search of the builder. See if he has any bad reviews.

What to do if your Electric goes out

Check for power cuts in your area. you can call 105 and get information on any local power cuts. Check if your neighbours have also lost electricity. If they have, it’s likely that the fault is on our electricity network. Also check the street lighting. If you notice that the street lights are on but the lights in all or some of the houses in your street are off then there’s a fault at the local sub-station or power cables feeding your street. If everyone else has power and your home doesn’t, then it’s likely to be an issue with your own fuses or breakers. If your fuses and breakers are OK, then you could have an internal wiring or appliance fault.

If you are unsure who To Contact if you have a power cut, call the new  105 number

105 is a new three-digit number that people can call to report or
get information about power cuts. 105 is free of charge and will put you through to your
electricity network operator. You can call 105 from most
landlines and mobile phones.http://www.powercut105.com/

https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/power-cut

or contact your local distribution company using the numbers below.

North Scotland:
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
0800 048 3515

Central & Southern Scotland:
SP Energy Networks
0330 1010 300

North East England & Yorkshire:
Northern Powergrid
0800 011 3332
North West England:
Electricity North West
0800 195 4141

Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales & North Shropshire:
SP Energy Networks
0330 1010 300

East Midlands & West Midlands:
Western Power Distribution
0800 096 3080

South Wales & South West England:
Western Power Distribution
0800 096 3080

London, South East England & Eastern England:
UK Power Networks
0845 601 4516

Southern England:
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
0800 048 3516
Northern Ireland:
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks
03457 643 643

Republic of Ireland:
ESB Networks
00353 1850 372 757

Lighting circuit trips out

Common faults on lighting circuits

First step is to have a torch and switch off all lights if safe to do so. Check to see if breaker (fuse) will reset. If it still doesn’t then likely to be a fault in the wiring. If it does reset then go around and switch on each light one at a time. If the first light comes on and doesn’t trip the breaker then continue switching on the rest. If the first one trips the breaker then switch it back of then reset the break. Leave that one off and switch on the others.

You need to look for the light, which trips the breaker to identify where the problem is. One you have located the fault area then if it is a filament lamp try replacing it and see if it now works. Most other causes require and qualified electrician to locate and remedy the fault. Most common faults regarding lighting circuits are:

Blown filament lamp causing a dead short inside the lamp.

Loose or disconnected cable in light fitting caused by poorly installed fittings. These faults can take years to manifest.

Ingress of water into the fittings, switches or connections. Very common after flooding or on outside lighting

Burnt cables caused by cables lying on top of halogen spotlights in ceiling space.
Burnt out ballast in fluorescent fittings or transformers for low voltage lights