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Most of us don’t give our ceiling lights a passing thought until we flick the switch, and they don’t work. What many people don’t know is, apart from the frustration of having to fumble around in the dark, faulty electrical ceiling lights can be an indication of much larger electrical problems that may result in a fire or electrocution.
There are many reasons that ceiling lights don’t work. This is why an electrician must be contacted to assess the situation as soon as possible. By a process of elimination, an experienced electrician will be able to trace and repair the electrical problem.
The answer to that question may not be as obvious as “Did you switch them on?” even though we have to agree that we have all been guilty of that at some point. There are various reasons for ceiling lights not working.
Troubleshooting must begin by ascertaining whether the problem lies with:
The most common reason for faulty ceiling lights is the light bulb. Light bulbs have a limited lifespan and can easily be replaced. Before calling an electrician, check that the light bulb:
Often, changing a faulty light bulb or securing it tightly in the fixture, resolves the issue of faulty ceiling lights.
If the electrical power supply to the ceiling lights is interrupted, they will not work. There are two main reasons that the power supply is interrupted:
A circuit breaker is designed to protect the electrical circuit by interrupting current flow when a fault is detected in the electrical system. The reasons a circuit breaker will trip include:
The electrical circuit consists of a series of electrical wires; they need to be installed correctly for an uninterrupted power supply. Any fault in the wiring or installation, or any loose wires, will interrupt the electrical circuit, and the power will not reach the intended source.
Light fixtures may vary in design, but all are controlled by an electrical switch.
The most common light fixtures are controlled by:
If the switch is faulty or not wired correctly, the lights will not receive the power they need to work.
A light fixture that is faulty or not wired correctly, cannot supply the electricity the bulb requires to illuminate. If the steel pins that connect to the bulb are bent, over time, the connection may be severed. This can cause the light to appear faulty. Removing the bulb and straightening the pins in the fixture, often resolves the problem, but you need to ensure that the circuit breaker is off before touching the pins.
Electricity is part of our everyday lives but can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Attempting to “Do It Yourself” without the necessary experience or expertise, can have dire consequences like fire or electrocution. The main reasons you should contact an electrician to inspect faulty ceiling lights are:
Art Plumbing AC & Electric has been the qualified, licensed, and insured electricians of choice in South Florida since 1983. For all your electrical problems and needs contact us at 1-800-475-1504 Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm, and on Sundays for any emergency. You can also find Art on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
