Electronic ballasts - breaker humming

I have installed 5 inexpensive 2 lamp, 32w shop lights with electronic ballasts and plug in cords in my basement and 2 in the garage. They are on two separate breakers (garage and basement) and appear to be working fine. However I am getting a humming sound from each of the breakers when the lights are on, but not the kind of hum that you can hear from across the room. You can only hear the hum when standing near the panel. If you turn the lights off the hum is gone. Also there is no ballast hum.

I have tightened all the connections and have checked the grounds - everything ok.

Is it that "you get what you pay for" with a $20. lighting fixture or am I missing something that is leading to the breaker humming in two separate circuits?

Would appreciate all comments and suggestions regarding the humming produced by the electronic ballasts and the safety aspects of the installation.
Looking forward to your responses,
Thanks Bob

 

The only time I had a humming breaker it was the breaker at fault - replacing the breaker stopped the humming. Might tighten [maybe clean] the connections at the breaker.

 

You can try what Mark suggested.... you can also try swapping breakers.

Circuit breakers are thermal/magnetic.

The magnetic section of the breaker can be sensitive to certain loads.
It is not uncommon to hear them humming slightly. It's not dangerous.

 

Only one thread is allowed on a topic. This is your only thread,

 

Thank you Pete.......appreciate your guidance.
Thank you also to those that have responded with comments and suggestions to my post.

I will be researching my problem further. I am still getting breaker hum after replacing the existing breakers with new, cleaning contacts and tightening all connections.

 

You've taken all the right steps.
It appears that combo of ballasts and breaker will cause a hum. It is not harmful or dangerous.