The dimming of a light bulb when you turn on your vacuum cleaner is a common occurrence due to a phenomenon called voltage drop. This happens because both the light bulb and the vacuum cleaner are connected to the same electrical circuit in your home.
When you turn on the vacuum cleaner, it draws a significant amount of electrical current to power its motor. This sudden increase in current creates resistance in the electrical circuit, leading to a temporary drop in voltage. As a result, the voltage supplied to the light bulb decreases momentarily, causing it to dim.
The amount of dimming you observe can vary depending on the electrical capacity of the circuit and the power requirements of the vacuum cleaner. If your vacuum cleaner requires a lot of power and the circuit is not able to handle the increased load, the light bulb's dimming effect may be more pronounced.
There are a few ways to mitigate this issue:
Use a different electrical circuit: Plug your vacuum cleaner into an outlet on a different circuit from the one where the light bulb is connected. Different rooms or areas in your home typically have separate circuits.
Use LED light bulbs: LED bulbs are generally more energy-efficient and have lower power requirements compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. They are less likely to be affected by voltage drops caused by other appliances.
Upgrade your electrical system: If you frequently experience significant dimming when using high-powered appliances, it might be worth considering an upgrade to your home's electrical system to handle the increased load more effectively.
Avoid using high-power appliances simultaneously: Try not to use power-hungry appliances like vacuum cleaners, hairdryers, or microwaves simultaneously with sensitive devices like computers or home entertainment systems to reduce voltage drops.
It's essential to pay attention to such voltage fluctuations as severe and persistent voltage drops can indicate underlying electrical issues that may need to be addressed by a professional electrician.