Lights flicking

gadget88

Hi in my bedroom my lights flick when I put a phone charger in or occasionally the dimmer switch will flick when on. Is this something that needs fixed? Could the issue be I don’t have dimmable bulbs for the dimmer switch?

WIAWSNB

A dodgy dimmer switch, or the use of non-compatible LED bulbs, can certainly cause flicker - it's almost inevitable.

But, plugging in your phone? That's weird. Where do you plug it in to?

Which bedroom light flickers - ceiling, wall, or bedside lamp (plugged into a mains socket)?

And, what type of bulbs are fitted? And when were they changed to this? Is the flickering a new phenomenon?

gadget88

It’s done it for years and it’s the wall socket. I have no idea if the bulbs are dimmable and the switch is about 8 years old rather than original?

WIAWSNB

Pics please :-)

gadget88

Thanks will do. First off I’ve powered some dimmable bulbs from screwfix to see if that’s the issue? Failing that I can look at an electrician should it be the switch

gadget88

Google says
Yes, using a dimmer switch with non-dimmable bulbs is a very likely cause of your lights flickering

, and this issue can become more pronounced when you plug in a device like a phone charger

so I guess I can try the new bulbs to see

badmemory

My dimmer switch certainly causes the lights to flicker if I have used a non-dimmable bulb

Albermarle

It still does not explain why lights flicker when the OP plugs a charger into a socket. Is that not something to be concerned about?

OP - What happens if you plug something else into that socket?

gadget88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81952202#Comment_81952202

I changed the bulbs and the issue seems resolved?

gadget88

Google says this

You successfully resolved the issue by swapping to dimmable bulbs. 

Non-dimmable LED bulbs lack the circuitry to handle the variable, chopped voltage from a dimmer switch, causing them to flicker when power usage changes, such as when a charger is plugged in

. Dimmable bulbs are designed to handle these fluctuations smoothly.

so I am hoping that was the issue after all?

gadget88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81951781#Comment_81951781

it was a gu10 bulb and only the 4 bar light no wall lamps nothing seemed to be those previous bulbs