zerofloors
DIY
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We have two units (with separate meters and panels) in a residence that underwent a major renovation about two years ago. During the renovation, the HVAC system was replaced and new recessed lights and light fixtures were installed throughout.
This summer, when the AC compressors are running, the LED lights in the house flicker badly. This happens in both units with three different AC compressors, and happens with recessed lights on dimmers and with sconces that are on switches without dimmers. It doesn't happen with every set of lights in the house, but it happens in a lot of different places. The lights flicker continuously while the compressors are on, not just when the compressors start up.
I had my electrician come out twice, and he spent about four hours in the house trying to diagnose the issue. He could not detect any voltage drops around the house, even while the lights were flickering. He looked at everything from the meter forward, including the panels for both units, and everything appeared tight and clean to him. He ended up not being able to identify the issue.
I also had the power company come out, and they checked the manhole outside, the T box, and one of the two meters. Everything looked perfect to them, even though the lights were flickering while they were here.
The electrician is pretty stumped, but his best idea now is to install whole-house surge protectors in both panels, since he thinks maybe the voltage is fluctuating so quickly that his meter is not detecting it and the surge protectors will fix the issue. He's not
at all confident that the whole-house surge protectors will solve the problem, though. Are there any other ideas I should run by him?
This summer, when the AC compressors are running, the LED lights in the house flicker badly. This happens in both units with three different AC compressors, and happens with recessed lights on dimmers and with sconces that are on switches without dimmers. It doesn't happen with every set of lights in the house, but it happens in a lot of different places. The lights flicker continuously while the compressors are on, not just when the compressors start up.
I had my electrician come out twice, and he spent about four hours in the house trying to diagnose the issue. He could not detect any voltage drops around the house, even while the lights were flickering. He looked at everything from the meter forward, including the panels for both units, and everything appeared tight and clean to him. He ended up not being able to identify the issue.
I also had the power company come out, and they checked the manhole outside, the T box, and one of the two meters. Everything looked perfect to them, even though the lights were flickering while they were here.
The electrician is pretty stumped, but his best idea now is to install whole-house surge protectors in both panels, since he thinks maybe the voltage is fluctuating so quickly that his meter is not detecting it and the surge protectors will fix the issue. He's not
at all confident that the whole-house surge protectors will solve the problem, though. Are there any other ideas I should run by him?