An electrician buddy come over and he tightened all the screws on the breakers pannel, including the neutrals, tightened the lugs from the meter that connect to the panel bus bars, and pulled the meter and verified everything was tight on that side. On the circuits that flicker he even switched their breakers to the other 120V line to verify if the line outside the house was fluctuating. Even switched breakers. Still does it and oddly, the same circuits flickered. We both are stumped.

He said it may be an internal problem where more than one circuit is sharing a return and there is a loose connection somewhere on that return, or the main 4-breaker set might be the trouble (the breaker box is about 35 - 40 years old). He suggested opening up all the electrical boxes on the flickering circuits and making sure all connections are tight.

I had the electric company come out and they said the voltages check out coming into the house, but like I said, the flickering is random, sometimes it won't happen for a couple of hours, they may have missed it.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

--Nate

A short circuit is a very specific failure. Depending on where it occurs in the circuit, it may result in the opening of a fuse or a circuit breaker if these devices are properly installed, but it can also cause a fire or injury if they are not. Or, it may mean that a light won't turn off.

My point is that calling nearly every electrical failure a "short" often demonstrates that one has no idea what a short circuit is. As the old saying goes, it's better to keep one's mouth closed and appear ignorant than to open it and remove all doubt. ;-)

When you're describing such a problem as this to an electrician, I suggest that you detail the symptoms as thoroughly as possible, and let the pro draw appropriate conclusions as to the cause.

Again, please don't take this the wrong way. I tell you this in the hope that it will improve your relationship with any electricians you hire, by enhancing their respect for you.

Now, back to your problem. There are lots of unanswered questions here.

Did this start recently, or has it been a problem for some time? If recently, can you associate it with any changes in your house or your neighborhood?

You say that multiple branch circuits are involved. How many?

Do all lights on all circuits flicker all at the same time, or is each circuit doing its own thing?

How old is your house?

Is any part of it wired with knob and tube?

Do you have any large appliances that cycle on and off while unattended, such as water pump, septic aerator, sump pump, water conditioner or purifier, basement freezer or refrigerator, etc.?