buzzing circuit breaker box!
#1
08-05-03, 04:58 PM
buzzing circuit breaker box!
Anybody know what may cause a circuit breaker to buzz?
Is it about ready to trip? Is it a sign a circuit is overloaded? Is the breaker bad? Whaa? (Thanks!)
Is it about ready to trip? Is it a sign a circuit is overloaded? Is the breaker bad? Whaa? (Thanks!)
#2
08-05-03, 05:38 PM
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Location: Williamsport and Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
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A buzzing circuit breaker is not good.
Generally it is a sign of the breaker almost ready to trip due to high load, but not quite high enough current to do the trick.If it is loose (where attached to the buss) or a loose termination of some sort, that also may do it.
If the sound is constant, the breaker should be replaced.
What is on the circuit? Find out by turning off one at a time.
What kind of panel/circuit breakers do you have? (SquareD, GE, murray, cutler-hammer, siemens, challenger, federal-pacific, zinsco, westinghouse, etc.)
gj
Generally it is a sign of the breaker almost ready to trip due to high load, but not quite high enough current to do the trick.If it is loose (where attached to the buss) or a loose termination of some sort, that also may do it.
If the sound is constant, the breaker should be replaced.
What is on the circuit? Find out by turning off one at a time.
What kind of panel/circuit breakers do you have? (SquareD, GE, murray, cutler-hammer, siemens, challenger, federal-pacific, zinsco, westinghouse, etc.)
gj
#3
08-05-03, 05:50 PM
buzzing circuit breaker
...Thanks!
I have a GE Box with GE breakers....
I think the breaker was about to trip as I have ceiling fan with one light out that my wife told me had sparked at her the other day when she tried to change out the bulb...I shut that light off and the buzzing stopped. Think I'll leave it off until I get into the short problem there...Thanks again for your quick assist.
Willy12
I have a GE Box with GE breakers....
I think the breaker was about to trip as I have ceiling fan with one light out that my wife told me had sparked at her the other day when she tried to change out the bulb...I shut that light off and the buzzing stopped. Think I'll leave it off until I get into the short problem there...Thanks again for your quick assist.
Willy12
#4
08-05-03, 05:57 PM
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A new GE 1 pole breaker !5, or 20 amp is less than $5.
Small investment for safety. How comfotable are you working inside the panel with the main breaker off? Have a bright portable light with you.
gj your welcome
Small investment for safety. How comfotable are you working inside the panel with the main breaker off? Have a bright portable light with you.
gj your welcome
