faint circuit panel hum
#1
03-24-13, 06:44 PM
faint circuit panel hum
I hooked up a new hot water heater 23 amps. When the hot water heater is on, there is the faintest hum coming from the panel box. By faintest I mean I have to put my ear up against the panel and only then can I hear a faint hum. You definitely can not hear it without pressing you ear up against the panel. I know its the hot water heater as its in a sub panel with only one other circuit and if I flip that breaker the noise stops.
I'm inclined to think this is normal for a high load. Opinions?
I'm inclined to think this is normal for a high load. Opinions?
#2
03-24-13, 06:51 PM
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if I had to guess, the breaker needs to be replaced.
The last breaker I had to change was on a dryer. Same thing. Buzzing.
The last breaker I had to change was on a dryer. Same thing. Buzzing.
#5
03-24-13, 07:48 PM
It is probably normal. Circuit breakers use two technologies to cause them to "trip"; one is thermal for long time period minor overloads and the other is magnetic for quick action in the case of short circuits. The magnetic uses an electromagnet and a faint buzzing is indicative of the laminations in the magnetic core vibrating.
