While living in an apartment or a house, we all have experienced some type of electrical problem once in a while, and flickering of light is one of them.
Have you ever experienced the flickering of lights when the microwave runs? If it occurs occasionally, it is normal but if this thing occurs every time you use a microwave, you need to find out the reason.
Well, a light flickers when the microwave runs due to fluctuation in the voltage or when the power supply is inconsistent. It is seen that as the microwave with high wattage is plugged in when there is fluctuation of voltage, lights flicker.
When you notice the same thing, reduce some load by turning the microwave off. But if the flickering of the lights continues, turn off all the lights and electrical appliances till the voltage becomes normal again.
It is not good to overlook the problem of voltage fluctuation. In case of frequent light flickering, you should call a professional to check the power supply box and the circuit breaker.
There is a danger of damage to the electrical appliance if this problem is not taken seriously.
The causes of light flickering when microwave runs are –
1. Overextension
Overextension is the most common reason for the flickering of lights in the house. When you plug in a heavy appliance like a microwave, washing machine, or water heater and the lights begin to flicker, it indicates that your home is not equipped to handle heavy electrical load.
You must call an electrician to check the electrical system so the repair and installation solutions can be suggested accordingly.
2. Electric wiring is loosened or worn out
Loose electric wiring is a serious issue that can cause light flickering and can even lead to a fire in the house. Thus, it is important to look for any signs of loose wiring. An electrician or an electric company can provide help in an inspection. If there is loose wiring in the house, it should be replaced.
3. Electric arcing
Lighting issues can be caused due to electric arcing which can cause intense heat due to which an electric fire or shock can happen in the house. The cause of electric arcing is a broken circuit which results in the passage of electric current through the air even though it is non-conductive.
Should I worry about flickering lights?
There are many reasons for flickering lights out of which some are harmless while others are hazardous and have the risk of fire.
There is no need to worry about flickering lights when:
- Lightbulbs are not compatible with your dimmers. Like LED lights flicker as they are on a low setting. For this by changing the brand or type of LED light can resolve the problem.
- Flickering of light if the lightbulb is not fitted properly, can be prevented by changing the bulb.
However, there are other causes of light flickering which are of concern and require immediate attention.
Like when there is the flickering of light of the entire house especially when you turn on a heavy appliance such as a microwave. This may be due to voltage fluctuation and requires consulting an electrician.
Abrupt changes in the voltage can cause damage to the electronics and in rare cases, it can even cause a fire in the house.
An electrician will be able to know the source of voltage instability and thus, the problem can be fixed.
Microwave light not working? Here are possible Causes and Resolutions
If the microwave light is not working, it means there is some problem with its bulb. Causes behind this along with their resolution are mentioned below:
1. Burning out of the light bulb
If the microwave bulb is burned out, it may not work. To check if this is the problem, unplug the microwave and shut off the power to the microwave at the breaker point.
Find out the vent of the microwave and unscrew the screws to remove its panel. There you will find a box with a halogen light and remove its cover. Unscrew the bulb and remove it and place a new one.
2. Fault with the main control board
The microwave bulb may not work if there is a problem with the main control board. To test the control board, use a multimeter which will help to know if proper voltage is being sent by the control board to the socket of the light bulb.
If it is found that the main control board is at fault, you will be required to change it and an experienced professional or technician should be called to do so.
3. Problem with the light socket
If the light socket is at fault, microwave light bulb will not work. Before checking the light socket, replace the light bulb with the method indicated above.
If the problem persists, use a multimeter to check the socket for continuity. If there is no continuity indicated by the light socket, you will need to replace it with the help of a professional.
Why do lights dim when the microwave is on?
Lights dim when the microwave is on because of the following reasons:
1. Overloading of the circuit
There is a certain amount of power that can be drawn by the residential electrical circuits and it becomes overloaded when the demand on the circuit is exceeded.
This causes dimming of lights in houses when the microwave or any heavy appliance is switched on. To avoid this, always use larger and fixed appliances on a dedicated circuit.
2. Improper or faulty wiring
Modern day appliances like microwaves have more demands which may not be fulfilled by the older houses with outdated wiring. If the wiring system is damaged or poorly installed, it can cause risk and lead to the dimming of lights in the house.
You should call an electrician to check the electrical system and if any loose, faulty, or corroded wiring is found, it should be replaced.
3. Issues of the power grid
The problem with the power grid in your neighborhood can also cause the dimming of lights when the microwave is switched on.
4. Old bulbs
As the lifespan of the old bulbs approaches its end, they start to weaken and thus the intensity starts to lessen. Incandescent bulbs have filaments that may become brittle causing flickering of the light. In such cases, the problem can be resolved by replacing old bulbs.
How to change a microwave light bulb?
In most of the microwave, internal light is present which gets turned on when the door is opened. If the microwave light bulb is burned out, you need to replace it.
To change a microwave light bulb, follow the steps mentioned below:
- Unplug the microwave or shut off the power to the microwave.
- Try to find a vent in the microwave. The vent will be either on the front, side, or bottom of the appliance and this depends on the model, make, and mounting of the microwave.
- There will be some screws that hold the vent panel in place. You will have to locate the screws and remove them.
- Take the vent panel of the microwave out and set it aside.
- Find out the box which contains the halogen light.
- Screws that hold the cover of the box in place need to be loosened and removed.
- Remove the cover of the lightbox.
- You will find a bulb in the lightbox, unscrew it and remove it from the microwave.
- Take a new bulb and screw it in the position.
- Replace the cover to the lightbox and tighten the screws back in position.
- Put the vent panel back and tighten the screws.
- Plug the microwave back to check if the newly installed light bulb is working properly.
Toshiba microwave light flickering issue, what to do?
If there is a little bit flickering of microwave light during operation in Toshiba microwave, it is normal but if the light keeps on flickering, needs to be evaluated.
For this, you need to contact the customer support of Toshiba. If you want to inspect yourself at home, first check the control, light bulbs, sockets, and wiring. If all these parts seem to be working properly, there may be an issue with the voltage.
To check this, take a multimeter to determine if the correct voltage is sent to the light bulb socket. If the voltage to the light bulb socket is not enough, you need to replace the control board.
The other most common problem of light flickering while using Toshiba microwaves is fluctuation in voltage due to inconsistent power supply. In any of these problems, it is good to call a professional electrician and get it rectified.
Conclusion
When you run a microwave and lights of your house flicker, it may be due to fluctuation in the voltage. This fluctuation can lead to some serious electrical issues. Therefore, you must not ignore this and consult a professional electrician soon who will be able to detect the problem and rectify it.