[*Mishna B'rura* 264:1](http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14171&pgnum=78) says:

> 
> The reason for the invalidity of [certain] wicks and oils [for the *Shabas* lights] is that they do not shine well and we're afraid he may tilt the lamp so the oil within it will flow toward the wick so it will light well, and he'd be liable for [the *m'lacha* of] burning.
> 
> 
> 

This applies not only to *Shabas* lights, but to any oil lamp one may read near ([*MB* 673:6](http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14166&pgnum=285)). If he *did* light such a lamp, there are circumstances in which he may not use it ([*Rama* 264:1](http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14171&pgnum=78)).

[Lighting an incandescent bulb](https://judaism.stackexchange.com/q/27002) is generally accepted as being forbidden [*mid'oraysa*](https://judaism.meta.stackexchange.com/a/623) AFAIK. [A bulb not seated properly in its socket will sometimes flicker.](http://electrical.about.com/od/troubleshootingelectricity/qt/incandescent.htm) It seems reasonable to me that one should not be allowed to leave such a light (i.e. an incandescent bulb flickering due to not being seated well) on on *Shabas*, and, if he did leave it on, that he should not be allowed to use it under certain circumstances, just as with certain oil lamps. Do any *pos'kim* discuss this case? What do they say?