control panel buzzing

hazey313

Is it normal for a control panel to emit a buzzing noise?

I can't remember if its been there all along, but lately when I walk past it in my basement (which I am starting to finish), I notice it is buzzing or humming

is this normal??

jimmy21

Are you talking about the panel with your breakers in it? If so than the answere is no. It might be possible for gfci breaker or afci breaker, but its making noise its time to replace it. I would open up your panel and check all the connections

Red Squirrel

Does it have a small transformer on it by any chance? It might be the doorbell transformer kicking the bucket. I have a wireless doorbell now (actually I still have to fix that switch, keep forgetting) and I still have the transformer just sitting in the panel doing nothing. Could be that.

I would start by shutting off one breaker at a time to see if it goes away. Could also be an actual breaker as suggested.

Bigplanz

Mine was buzzing and we had an electrician come to the house and he tightened all the connections in the box. The buzzing continued. Three months later, the 240V breaker for the dryer failed. When we replaced it, the buzzing went away. Coincidence? I think not.

hazey313

Thanks for all the replies,

I am getting an electrician to come in and inspect my wiring before I apply for a permit so I am going to get him to look at it then - I don't know enough and I am too nervous to fiddle around with it on my own

thanks for the comments! (yes its a control panel with breakers)

petey_c

It's not normal for a panel to buzz. (it may not be dangerous either) It's probably (as has been said here before) that one of your breakers is going bad. You can try and narrow it down by turning the breakers off one at a time until you find the culprit. Then (if you feel confident) replacing the bad one. As Red Squirrel said it could also be the doorbell transformer dying. Very often these were mounted on the panel itself.