User Panel
Posted: 9/28/2022 12:21:13 PM EDT
I've noticed that if I'm nearby when the AC or other high-load appliance kicks on, I at least sometimes hear a buzzing sound from my breaker box for a second or maybe two. Is this normal? I don't recall hearing it before at my previous house. Could it be a bad breaker?
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Might need to check the age of the bees that are stored in the breaker. As breakers age, the bees get a little cantankerous and warn people to get off their lawn.
ETA: I’m an engineer, you can trust me on this. |
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Something may be loose or bad, or both.
Either tends to make the special smoke come out. |
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Angry pixies about to find a way to let the magic smoke out. Call an electrician
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Breaker could be going bad, probably just need a replacement.
And the thing about bees is bullshit, I know SquareD uses attack drones instead of bees. Although they used to use bees. |
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I mentioned this in another thread within the last hour.
In an electric system, a buzzing noise is most likely caused by a loose connection. Once it gets loose, it gets looser, until it arcs, or faults, or generates enough heat to cause a fire, or all of the above in one grand event. Better to fix it now. |
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Guess I'll start with tightening and reseating the breakers. If it keeps up, I'll replace the ones for the HVAC. Thanks.
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Tighten neutrals and grounds while you're in there. Shit tighten all the things.
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just cuz it hasn't been said yet. Before sticking a screwdriver into your power panel, hit the main breaker. just saying.
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Quoted: just cuz it hasn't been said yet. Before sticking a screwdriver into your power panel, hit the main breaker. just saying. View Quote Attached File |
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Do you have a infrared temperature gun? I would take panel cover off and visually examine the main breaker connections. Check all other breaker connections. If you have a temp gun, look for hot spots. Once narrowed down, tighten connections or replace breaker or burned buss bars/ panel.
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This is relevent to my interests!
Was in the laundry room the other morning and heard a buzzing/arching noise coming from the panel. No smoke or odd smells. Called my electrition BIL to check it out. He said he didn't see anything. Think I'll kill the main and check for loose connections, oxidation, and such. ETA The temp gun is a damn good idea! |
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Quoted: I mentioned this in another thread within the last hour. In an electric system, a buzzing noise is most likely caused by a loose connection. Once it gets loose, it gets looser, until it arcs, or faults, or generates enough heat to cause a fire, or all of the above in one grand event. Better to fix it now. View Quote I found one exception to this, AFCI breakers. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) breakers have a small resonant circuit that can hum/buzz a little. It’s slight, but can be heard if your ear is fairly close to the panel. Mine was doing it and had me concerned a little till I figured it out. I Was in my breaker box b/c some dumbass piggybacked a 50amp receptacle off of the 30amp dryer receptacle, with smaller wire, and then swapped the 30amp breaker with a 50amp breaker. Breaker to dryer is approx 90’, with 30amp wiring…. |
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agree with other to check/tighten the lugs.
If you can identify the exact breaker you should pull it off also and check the clip in contacts to the main buss. These can loosen over time or become corroded. If you see noticeable arcing or carbon then a little sandpaper and a pinch with the pliers is all that is needed. If problem persists then replace. Most breakers are relatively cheap and they do fail over time. |
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Take the batteries out of your smoke detector, they're not needed. Get drunk and take a nap. You'll be fine.
Kharn |
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Quoted: Do you have a infrared temperature gun? I would take panel cover off and visually examine the main breaker connections. Check all other breaker connections. If you have a temp gun, look for hot spots. Once narrowed down, tighten connections or replace breaker or burned buss bars/ panel. View Quote Yes I do. Good idea. |
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Quoted: And remember that doesn't stop the power in to your house. It still has electric coming from outside View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: just cuz it hasn't been said yet. Before sticking a screwdriver into your power panel, hit the main breaker. just saying. And remember that doesn't stop the power in to your house. It still has electric coming from outside My main breaker actually is outside next to the meter. I can kill my whole panel. Even then, I still don't touch those big wires, just because they might be faking. |
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Quoted: I found one exception to this, AFCI breakers. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) breakers have a small resonant circuit that can hum/buzz a little. It’s slight, but can be heard if your ear is fairly close to the panel. Mine was doing it and had me concerned a little till I figured it out. I Was in my breaker box b/c some dumbass piggybacked a 50amp receptacle off of the 30amp dryer receptacle, with smaller wire, and then swapped the 30amp breaker with a 50amp breaker. Breaker to dryer is approx 90’, with 30amp wiring…. View Quote I do have some AFCI breakers. But this buzzing is loud enough to easily hear in the next room. Not sure if it's what you're describing. |
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Quoted: I do have some AFCI breakers. But this buzzing is loud enough to easily hear in the next room. Not sure if it's what you're describing. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I found one exception to this, AFCI breakers. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) breakers have a small resonant circuit that can hum/buzz a little. It’s slight, but can be heard if your ear is fairly close to the panel. Mine was doing it and had me concerned a little till I figured it out. I Was in my breaker box b/c some dumbass piggybacked a 50amp receptacle off of the 30amp dryer receptacle, with smaller wire, and then swapped the 30amp breaker with a 50amp breaker. Breaker to dryer is approx 90’, with 30amp wiring…. I do have some AFCI breakers. But this buzzing is loud enough to easily hear in the next room. Not sure if it's what you're describing. No, the AFCI’s are not that loud. You have other issues as others have said. If the basement is very quiet, I can hear it maybe 4-5 feet away from the panel. |
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Quoted: I do have some AFCI breakers. But this buzzing is loud enough to easily hear in the next room. Not sure if it's what you're describing. View Quote If you can hear it in the next room it’s time to isolate that breaker, flip it off, and do without that circuit until it’s fixed. Could be as simple as tightening a screw or replacing a cartridge breaker. Could be more complex. But at this point if you don’t address it right now today, you’re asking for a house fire. I’m not saying that to be dramatic. I’m saying it to help you avoid drama. |
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Okay just to pile on.
Yes something is probably loose or failing. But to add on make sure depending on the panel type to check the buss bar connections. Sq d as great of a panel and breaker that they make on QO panels the part of the buss bar that the breakers go on to is screwed to the main buss bar. I have seen that ark and burn up a few times, although its normally water related. Also believe it or not it can just be the wires buzzing from resonance. I have chased that down before swearing there was a problem, went away as soon as I moved one wire touching the panel can. |
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Quoted: They still do, dummy. If there were no bees in a breaker, it’d only be a “reaker.” View Quote Attached File |
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Quoted: If you can hear it in the next room it’s time to isolate that breaker, flip it off, and do without that circuit until it’s fixed. Could be as simple as tightening a screw or replacing a cartridge breaker. Could be more complex. But at this point if you don’t address it right now today, you’re asking for a house fire. I’m not saying that to be dramatic. I’m saying it to help you avoid drama. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I do have some AFCI breakers. But this buzzing is loud enough to easily hear in the next room. Not sure if it's what you're describing. If you can hear it in the next room it’s time to isolate that breaker, flip it off, and do without that circuit until it’s fixed. Could be as simple as tightening a screw or replacing a cartridge breaker. Could be more complex. But at this point if you don’t address it right now today, you’re asking for a house fire. I’m not saying that to be dramatic. I’m saying it to help you avoid drama. Just to clarify, the next room is less than five feet away. I guess I can notice it about 10-15 feet away. It only lasts a second and is not constant. I'll kill the panel and do some investigating this evening. Didn't have an opportunity yesterday. |
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I'm having an issue in my camper right now. When I fire up the on board generator I get a snapping sound from breaker panel. It will be lots of fun to work on since it's down at floor level wedged between step and seat. My knees and back hurt just thinking about it.
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