Lights Not Working in Perth: Causes and What to Do
Lights not working is one of the most common electrical problems in any home, and the cause can be anything from a simple blown globe to a circuit fault. When you have lights not working, a little checking often reveals whether it is a quick fix or a job for an electrician. Here are the common causes and what to do.
Is it one light or many?
The first thing to work out with lights not working is whether it is a single light or several. One dead light usually points to the globe or the fitting, while several lights not working at once suggests a tripped circuit, a faulty switch, or a wiring problem feeding that group of lights.
6 common causes of lights not working
- A blown globe or failed LED
- A faulty light switch or dimmer
- A tripped circuit breaker or safety switch
- A failed LED driver or transformer
- A loose or faulty connection in the fitting
- A fault on the lighting circuit
Start with the globe
The simplest cause of a single light not working is a blown globe, so start there. Swap in a known-good globe of the correct type. With LED fittings, the LED or its driver may have failed, in which case the whole fitting often needs replacing, which is a job for an electrician.
Check the switchboard
If you have several lights not working, check your switchboard for a tripped breaker or safety switch. If one has tripped, reset it. If it trips again straight away, there is a fault on the lighting circuit, and you should stop and call a licensed electrician rather than keep resetting it.
Switches and dimmers
A faulty switch or an incompatible dimmer is a common reason for lights not working or behaving oddly. Dimmers in particular can fail or be mismatched with LED globes. Replacing a switch or dimmer is licensed electrical work, so it is best handled by an electrician who can fit the right one.
When it is the wiring
If the globe, switch and breaker all check out and you still have lights not working, the problem is likely in the wiring or the fitting, a loose connection, a failed driver, or a circuit fault. These are hidden faults that need a licensed electrician to trace and repair safely.
What not to do
Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips repeatedly, and do not poke around inside a light fitting or switch yourself. Lights not working can have a live fault behind them, so beyond changing a globe, it is safest to leave it to a licensed electrician.
Outdoor and sensor lights
Outdoor, security and sensor lights have their own quirks. A sensor light that will not come on may have a failed sensor, a wrong setting, or moisture in the fitting, rather than a globe fault. These weather-exposed fittings fail more often, and replacing them is best done by an electrician.
When to just call an electrician
If resetting the breaker does not help, several lights are out, or you are unsure, it is quicker and safer to call an electrician than to keep troubleshooting. They carry the parts and testers to find the cause in one visit, rather than swapping globes and hoping.
Why use a licensed electrician
Most causes of lights not working beyond a globe involve live wiring, switches or circuits, which is licensed work. A licensed electrician quickly finds the cause, from a faulty fitting to a circuit fault, and fixes it safely. The state’s Building and Energy sets the standards involved.
Stuck with lights not working in Perth?
ACS Electrical finds the fault and gets your lighting back on across the metro. Explore our flickering lights guide, common electrical faults guide or lighting installation service. Call 0419 967 838.
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