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circuit breaker box hum

 
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doug2004



Joined: 05 Feb 2005
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:08 am    Post subject: circuit breaker box hum Reply with quote

In the middle of the night, last night, my inside circuit breaker panel (it's in my bedroom) began noticably humming or buzzing. There were no breakers thrown. But I traced it down to one 15 amp circuit in the box - when the circuit is turned off, the hum goes away. Turn it back on, it comes back. This circuit only has house lights and mostly empty outlets on it, but it IS one of those GFI circuits I guess becuase a couple of those outlets in the bathroom have their own breakers at the outlet.

Is this a dangerous situation? What could be causing this? (I admit my ignorance about house wiring, so forgive me - and don't laugh too hard - if my ignorance shows! Just help plz.)

Doug
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vince knight
Moderator


Joined: 04 Mar 2004
Posts: 1343
Location: Essex/East London

PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The first thing to check is for loose connections at the breaker as it could be arcing.


Vince
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Just Bill
Moderator


Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 41
Location: Wilmington, Delaware, USA

PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Internal components may become loose over time, allowing things to vibrate, but as suggested, check for loose wires on that circuit, check for warm outlets, switches. And a check by a professional is not a bad idea.
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lorshadow



Joined: 03 Oct 2005
Posts: 2
Location: florida

PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:04 am    Post subject: circuit breaker hum Reply with quote

When my well kicks on, my breaker makes a quick hum noise and then stops- has been doing it for years- Is this dangerous?
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vince knight
Moderator


Joined: 04 Mar 2004
Posts: 1343
Location: Essex/East London

PostPosted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 5:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The breaker is just humming with the inital start current and should not be a problem, dimmer switches on lighting can have the same effect.

Vince
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