Why Do My Lights Keep Flickering? Causes & Fixes for NZ Homes | Alba Electrical
If your lights keep flickering, dimming, pulsing, or flashing, you’re not alone. As a trusted electrician in Hawke’s Bay, Alba Electrical is called to homes across Hastings, Napier, Havelock North and CHB every week with this exact problem.
Flickering lights can be harmless but they can also be a warning sign of dangerous wiring, overloaded circuits, or failing electrical components. Knowing the difference is important for the safety and reliability of your home.
In this blog, we break down the most common causes of flickering lights in New Zealand homes and how Alba Electrical safely fixes them.
Why Your Lights Flicker The Most Common Causes in NZ Homes
Not all flickering is the same. Here are the issues we find most often in Hawke’s Bay homes.
1. Loose Wiring Connections (A Major Safety Risk)
Loose wiring is one of the leading causes of flickering lights — and one of the most dangerous. If a wire is loose inside a light fitting, switch, or even behind the wall, it can:
- create heat
- cause arcing
- lead to electrical fires
- damage appliances
This issue should never be ignored.
2. Failing Light Fittings or Old Lamp Holders
Older fittings often loosen or degrade over time. Common symptoms include:
- flickering when you tap the fitting
- buzzing or crackling
- lights turning off randomly
These are common in older NZ homes built before the 2000s.
3. Faulty or Low-Quality LED Bulbs
Some cheaper LED bulbs flicker due to:
- poor internal drivers
- incompatible light switches
- voltage fluctuation
- fading components
If multiple LEDs in your home flicker at once, it’s often a sign of a larger electrical issue.
4. Switchboard Issues or Overloaded Circuits
Homes that still have old fuses or outdated switchboards often experience flickering because circuits can’t keep up with modern electrical demand.
Common causes include:
- overloaded circuits
- worn breakers
- faulty neutral links
- lack of RCD protection
If your lights dim when you use appliances like heat pumps or microwaves, your switchboard may need upgrading.
5. Voltage Fluctuations in the Home
Voltage drops can happen when:
- appliances draw high loads
- wiring is undersized
- neutral connections fail
- the supply from the street is inconsistent
This is especially common in older rural homes around CHB and semi-rural Hastings.
6. Aging or Damaged Wiring
Wiring deteriorates naturally over time. In older NZ homes, this can cause:
- lights dimming
- lights flickering randomly
- tripping circuits
- hot walls or fittings
If your home hasn’t had an electrical inspection in the last 20+ years, it’s important to check.
When Flickering Lights Become a Safety Concern
Some flickering is harmless but certain signs require immediate attention. Contact Alba Electrical right away if you notice:
- a burning smell
- warm switchboard or outlets
- crackling/buzzing from lights
- flickering AND tripping breakers
- flickering across multiple rooms
- sudden bright/dim changes
These symptoms often point to wiring faults or overloaded circuits both of which can cause fires.
How Alba Electrical Diagnoses Flickering Light Problems
We never guess. We inspect your electrical system using the right tools and NZ-approved testing procedures.
Visual Inspection & Load Testing
We check fittings, switches, bulbs and circuit loads.
Wiring Condition Assessment
We look for loose joints, ageing wiring, and unsafe fittings.
Switchboard & Circuit Testing
We check RCD functionality, breaker condition and circuit load capacity.
Thermal Imaging (Alba Electrical’s specialist service
A commitment to safety
We use thermal imaging to locate:
- overheating wires
- hidden faults
- failing breakers
- loose connections inside switchboards
This allows us to detect issues without opening walls.
How We Fix Flickering Lights for Hawke’s Bay Homes
Fix 1. Repair or Replace Loose Wiring
We secure, re-terminate, or replace wiring that is loose or deteriorated.
Fix 2. Replace Faulty Light Fittings
Old lamp holders, recessed fittings, and corroded bases are replaced safely.
Fix 3. Upgrade Your Switchboard
If flickering is caused by overloaded or outdated circuits, we upgrade to modern, RCD-protected safety boards.
Fix 4. Replace Poor Quality Bulbs
We install high-quality, NZ-approved LEDs that operate reliably.
Fix 5. Balance or Add Circuits
If modern appliances overload circuits, we redistribute or add dedicated circuits.
Why Flickering Lights Should Never Be Ignored
Flickering lights are often the first symptom of deeper electrical issues. When left unresolved, these issues can lead to:
- electrical fires
- appliance damage
- ongoing circuit tripping
- increased power bills
- shock hazards
Taking action early protects your home, family and property.
Fix Flickering Lights Fast - Contact Alba Electrical
If your lights keep flickering, dimming, or buzzing, Alba Electrical can help. As a trusted electrician in Hawke’s Bay, we diagnose issues quickly and provide safe, long-term solutions for local homes.
Book a lighting or wiring inspection with Alba Electrical today.