Why do my kitchen lights flicker when my power shower is turned on?

[Taylortwocities]

Are you, by any chance, in a rural situation with overhead power lines?

 

[Jaygray]

Anyway, back to the original question. Lights should not flicker. If they have started doing that since electrical work was carried out then you need to be telling the company to examine the reason. Flickering may well be because of a dodgy connection, and you do not want that!

Hi Taylor,
I probably didn't explain the issue very well. The lights only flicker/dim when the shower is turned on. Then stay normal while the shower is running. Then dim again when the shower is turned off.
4 bulbs around the house have blown since using the shower over the last few weeks..
Might not be related.

 

[Jaygray]

Are you, by any chance, in a rural situation with overhead power lines?

No. Greater London. 1930s.
The showeer is 10.8kw.
The electricity mains is super old, the part the electricity company is is charge of is likely to be original hardware.
They've recently inspected it and are happy.
Consumer unit is under 5 years old.

 

[Risteard]

If you are talking about an electric shower rather than a power shower then it's perfectly normal to have a brief flicker in the light output owing to the voltage drop. Nothing untoward.

 

[Jaygray]

If you are talking about an electric shower rather than a power shower then it's perfectly normal to have a brief flicker in the light output owing to the voltage drop. Nothing untoward.

Thats what I mean. What is the lights are staying slightly dimmed?

 

[JohnW2]

Oh yes and work in the bathroom suggests it falls under Part P too

As you know only too well, all electrical work "falls under Part P".

I know what you were trying to say, but the OP (and other readers) may well not know - so you really should use clearer and more correct language.

 

[Jaygray]

I've had the electricians back round. To use there words, "it's one of life's great mistrerys" as to why my lights dim when the electric shower is turned on.

Regarding the certification. They said I don't need it and it wasn't included in the price.
That doesn't sound right to me?

 

[Jaygray]

Call said electrician and get him back.

Did he give you a certificate?

I've had the electricians back round. To use there words, "it's one of life's great mistrerys" as to why my lights dim when the electric shower is turned on.

Regarding the certification. They said I don't need it and it wasn't included in the price.
That doesn't sound right to me?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Regarding the certification. They said I don't need it and it wasn't included in the price.
That doesn't sound right to me?

No.

All electrical work must be tested and the results recorded (certified).

It is part of the work and cannot be 'not included'.

 

[Jaygray]

What do you think of the lights dimming when the electric shower is in use? Is it something I should be worried about?

 

[EFLImpudence]

What do you think of the lights dimming when the electric shower is in use? Is it something I should be worried about?

Well - it is not right and we don't know why.

As in reply #1

Call said electrician and get him back.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I've had the electricians back round. To use there words, "it's one of life's great mistrerys" as to why my lights dim when the electric shower is turned on.

Perhaps a mistery/mystery to them, but it should not be, they ought to be able to account for it, if they are qualified to do the work - and it seems not.

You can expect some slight dimming when the shower is turned on, but it depends on the extent. Tungten lamps (old fashioned lamp bulbs) are much more sensitive to voltage, and so will make volts drop more obvious than modern LED's, but much depends upon the extent of volts drop, and the dimming.

Regarding the certification. They said I don't need it and it wasn't included in the price.
That doesn't sound right to me?

It is certainly not right. Any reputable company, using qualified people to do work, will do things through the proper channels, and produce the correct notifications and paperwork to back it up. If they have failed to do this, you have wonder what other corners they might have cut, during the installation. The paperwork is not an optional extra, it is a requirement of the job.

 

[Jaygray]

Well - it is not right and we don't know why.

As in reply #1

Thanks. Said Electrican did return today. Who said it is what it is and no certs are needed for this type of work..

 

[Jaygray]

Perhaps a mistery/mystery to them, but it should not be, they ought to be able to account for it, if they are qualified to do the work - and it seems not.

You can expect some slight dimming when the shower is turned on, but it depends on the extent. Tungten lamps (old fashioned lamp bulbs) are much more sensitive to voltage, and so will make volts drop more obvious than modern LED's, but much depends upon the extent of volts drop, and the dimming.



It is certainly not right. Any reputable company, using qualified people to do work, will do things through the proper channels, and produce the correct notifications and paperwork to back it up. If they have failed to do this, you have wonder what other corners they might have cut, during the installation. The paperwork is not an optional extra, it is a requirement of the job.

Thanks Harry. I do have the old style lights tbf. I'll try changing them.
Ill speak to him again. He sent his two apprentices and mate today, who didn't test anything. They just assured me it was fine and certs were not needed for this type of work.
I'll have to call the boss.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks Harry. I do have the old style lights tbf. I'll try changing them.
Ill speak to him again. He sent his two apprentices and mate today, who didn't test anything. They just assured me it was fine and certs were not needed for this type of work.
I'll have to call the boss.

Well, he is wrong. Might be better calling Trading Standards, than his boss, because his boss will likely back him up.