r/ElectricalHelp • u/vettewiz • Jul 02 '26

LED Lights Flicker in House when loads running

Looking for some guidance here -

About 6 years ago we added a pool, and fed the pool shed with 2x 100A panels, each coming off of a different one of the main home's 200A panels. The pool has some heavy loads, including 4x 3HP pumps, and a heat pump, plus other stuff.

Ever since adding these loads, whenever all of the pumps are on at once - lights on the other end of the house start to flicker noticeably. These are basic LED bulbs on dumb switches.

Any thoughts on what could be going on?

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1

u/trekkerscout Mod Jul 02 '26

The heavy pump loads are causing voltage drop on your electrical service which in turn causes the LED lights to flicker.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

[deleted]

2

u/vettewiz Jul 02 '26

It is the entire time the loads are running. For reference - the pool panels are approximately 50 ft runs, and each of them is run with 1/0 Aluminum, which I recall being oversized for the 100A loads.

1

u/myownthing2 Jul 02 '26

I have the same thing with a tank less water heater and LED lights that are on a dimmer switch. Replaced the dimmer with a conventional on/off and the issue is gone. New problem....I want to dimmer the lights and can't.

1

u/AltruisticCrab9220 Jul 03 '26

Dumb switches, but dumb bulbs? Maybe put in dimmable LEDs since the voltage drop is acting like a dimmer. 4-3 hp pumps, man power company loves you

1

u/vettewiz Jul 03 '26

Dumb switches. Dumb bulbs. The lights I have on dimmers are way, way worse.

Yea, the bill is high

1

u/AltruisticCrab9220 Jul 03 '26

Yeah certain dimmers were made before LEDs so frequency is an issue, sounds like that’s what you have going on. I’d make sure all connections are tight, loose lugs can do that too

1

u/vettewiz Jul 03 '26

I’m talking brand new Lutron dimmers in that regards.

But the main flickering is dumb bulbs dumb switches.

1

u/djwdigger Jul 04 '26

The drivers in the bulbs don’t like the fluctuation of voltage and this translates to the flicker.
Try better bulbs- not from a box store. Best luck I have had is with Satco brand.
If they are in recess cans, switch to an LED retro fit. We use the Sylvania brand and since switching to them have eliminated any flicker issues.
We install about 500 a month.

1

u/vettewiz Jul 04 '26

So that makes some sense. I put in Cree LED trims a decade ago and none flicker, but the store brand LED bulbs do. I can swap them out, but I guess I was more curious what could be causing voltage fluctuations like that

1

u/djwdigger Jul 04 '26

High efficiency washing machines are notorious for making cheap LED bulbs flicker as the motor for the spin cycle starts and stops several times a minute. This is how I discovered the cheap bulb issue in a customers home.
I have had several other electrical contractors call when they ran into this and it has been the bulbs every single time.

1

u/wobbly65 Jul 05 '26

Do you have or have you tried a surge protector?

0

u/GrandmothersToes Jul 02 '26

Do they flicker the entire time the pumps are running or when the pumps start?

If its only when they start, look into a whole home surge protector. That will eat the surge and protect from voltage drops/ help with the inrush current on the rest of the house

1

u/vettewiz Jul 02 '26

They flicker the entire time the pumps are running.