Do your lights dim a second when the washer and dryer is on? (1 Viewer)

[Luc]

Some of my lights flick for a second as the washer or dryer kicks in. The lights don't dim otherwise I know it's a problem for sure. The lights affected are in area with separated circuit. Is this normal? Not only that, while I play DVD, it flicks also when those heavy power machine kicks in. My house is 1.5 yr old and for the first year, this never occurred. It started happening this summer. I live in California so I was thinking perhaps it's the change of power delivery/usage around the area. Any thoughts?

 

[Ted Lee]

i'm guessing but...
i know your house is new, but i've seen this many times in older homes. i always atributed it to these hi-amperage machines (washers, dryers, refrigerators, ac) drawing a huge amount of current when they "start-up". i don't know if there's a fix or even a concern.
if you're uncomfortable, i'd check with an electrician or something...
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[Jay H]

No,but all my neighbors houses lights go on and off when my washer and dryer are on...

Sorry, couldn't resist.
Seriously, like Ted says, its those high amperage eating appliances and shouldn't be a problem just a nuisance. If it's really bothering, you can have an electrician rewire them to a separate circuit or so... but I don't think there is any "problem" per se.
Jay

 

[Luc]

Thanks guys,
I feel better.

 

[Philip_G]

it happens.. like everyone says.. is it an older washer? it *could* be the motor drawing way more amperage than normal due to an impending failure, but I doubt it.. motors draw a lot more on startup than they do while running..

 

[Clinton McClure]

No kitchen or laundry appliance dims my lights, but my living room lights flicker when I turn on my receiver. The Yammi's packin' quite a whallop, eh?

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My DVD Collection

 

[Graeme Clark]

This always happened growing up when my mom (or anyone else for that matter) turned on the Vaccum.
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[Inspector Hammer!]

Yes. I also piss my pants and forget who I am for a few seconds too.
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God bless the USA and the men and woman of our military and their families!

 

[Scotty Parish]

I don't think putting them on a separate circuit will help. This is usually a sign that the power transformer, serving your home and possibly others nearby, is borderline undersized.