Vibration caused by rotating blades can cause a fan's light to flicker.
While ceiling fans create pleasant breeze and help reduce energy use, ill-suited light bulbs and poor installation can cause annoying flickering in the room. With a bit of research and simple adjustments, you can avoid premature failure of fan light bulbs and restore steady lighting in your room.
Wiring Connection
If your ceiling fan light flickers when you turn it on or off via the light switch or remote control, you may have a wiring issue. Check the wiring connections at the ceiling and wall controls to ensure that the wires are not twisted, which can sometimes cause a disconnection. Additionally, inspect the box near the base of the ceiling fan unit to determine if the receiver is defective.
Light Bulb
Using compact florescent light bulbs can also cause fan lights to flicker. The fan's rotating blades produce strong vibration, which affects the electronics in the CFL bulb. As a result, the disruptive movement causes the CFL to flicker or fail completely. Utility companies offer special CFL bulbs that can be used in fan lights and other vibrating devices. Moreover, the University of Florida states that add-on lights for ceiling fans are often only compatible with fixtures of the same brand. Double-check manufacturer specifications to ensure that your lights will work with your fan.
Light Fixture
When the bottom of the light bulb and base of the fan's light socket are not touching, flickering may result. Unscrew the fan's light bulb to see if it has been screwed on too tightly or loosely to the ceiling fixture. Inspect the bottom of the light bulb to see whether the solder - the silver portion on the center of the base - looks worn or deformed. Light bulbs can start to malfunction when the brass tab at the fixture's base fails to make electrical contact with the solder on the light bulb. Adjust the brass tab on the bottom of the fan's light socket so that is at an approximately 20-degree angle and can reach the solder.
Warnings
Turn off the power to the lights before you attempt repairs on the fan's light fixture or wiring system. Leaving the power on can pose serious safety hazards. This is especially true if you are using tools such as pliers or screwdrivers to repair or adjust components inside the light socket. National syndicated newspaper columnist Tim Carter recommends turning off the circuit breaker as an added precaution.
Related Posts:
How Do You Replace A Burnedout Light Bulb In A Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan
Your fan may or may not use standard-sized light bulbs.Most Harbor Breeze ceiling fans with light kits come with a decorative glass globe that covers the light bulbs. Other models may have chandel...
Change Light Bulbs On Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans equipped with light fixtures are a perennially popular way to add overhead lighting to a home while getting a good breeze started. The light fixtures are essentially of two types: bul...
Why Is My Check Engine Light Flashing
LocationThe check-engine light may be a graphic of an engine or similar icon, or it may contain the words check engine or service engine. In some vehicles, a red check-engine light means the car n...
Reset A Mazda 6 Engine Light
A socket wrench is used to remove the battery cable.The Mazda 6's engine light is designed to quickly alert the driver to failing drivetrain components. When the light comes on without reason, or...
Reset A Mazda Srs Light
The SRS light on a Mazda is designed to alert the driver to potential problems with the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), which refers to the vehicle's air bags. The light can switch on for rea...
