Power fluctuations

[m0t]

About a week ago I noticed the lamp in our living room randomly dimming (plugged in to a standard wall socket). It's got a halogen bulb and was quite cheap so I assumed it was on the way out and made a note to get a new bulb.

Last night I noticed the led bulbs in the ceiling lights flickering every few minutes. I turned the lamp on and it was dimming in time with them.

I have just noticed the bathroom extractor (on the downstairs lighting ring) slowing down every few minutes.

What would cause this?

Last night when it was happening we didn't have anything other than the lights and TV (Inc sky box) on. This morning the dishwasher is going.

 

[chivers67]

You might have a loose connection somewhere on the lighting circuit - even at the Dis Board? Are the other circuits in the house working normally?

 

[ericmark]

Ask three doors up/down are they getting the same? Since houses often fed from three phase supply often next door not on same phase, so not just next door to ask but a few around you, if so in one way good news it is supply not something in house, but need to phone DNO to fix it before it get worse, unlikely your house if sockets and lights have same fault, likely in the street, but if a neutral fault it could damage things in your house, so need checking.

 

[m0t]

You might have a loose connection somewhere on the lighting circuit - even at the Dis Board? Are the other circuits in the house working normally?

The lamp is on a socket ring rather than a lighting ring. I've not noticed anything wrong with anything else.

 

[AndyPRK]

Does the meter or cu smell

 

[chivers67]

The Sky Box is working ok though? Not freezing picture wise?

 

[m0t]

Does the meter or cu smell

No

The Sky Box is working ok though? Not freezing picture wise?

Working fine

 

[winston1]

The lamp is on a socket ring rather than a lighting ring. I've not noticed anything wrong with anything else.

Lighting is not wired on rings.

Most modern electronics with switch mode power supplies won’t be affected by small dips in voltage.

Contact your DNO ASAP.

 

[bernardgreen]

DNO = Distribution Network Operator ( this is NOT the company you pay the bills to )

Find your DNO from this site

https://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/electricity-distribution-map.html

 

[chivers67]

Lighting is not wired on rings.

Most modern electronics with switch mode power supplies won’t be affected by small dips in voltage.

Contact your DNO ASAP.

The Lamp no doubt has a socket and is stand alone on this occasion...

 

[flameport]

Find your DNO from this site

Not necessary.

Call 105 from a phone, it will connect you to the correct people.

If someone is desperate to contact them by other means, they can find that information here: https://www.powercut105.com/findoperator

 

[AndyPRK]

AND BEST TO USE A landline (so they know the area)

 

[SUNRAY]

Lighting is not wired on rings.

Even the manufacturers have recommendations for lighting rings:

 

[bernardgreen]

Find your DNO from this site

https://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/electricity-distribution-map.html

Not necessary.

Call 105 from a phone, it will connect you to the correct people.

Auto location of a call from a mobile phone is not 100% accurate, casualty called 999 but could not give location, phone systems got the emergency services to a location 50 yards from the casualty but on the other side of the river.

 

[JohnD]

50 yards is pretty close.

For a DNO, in the huge majority of users, "I'm in London" or "I'm in Leeds" will be near enough.