Have you been hearing a humming noise from your home’s electrical panel? If so, you’re right to be worried. Your home’s electrical system is designed to operate quietly so you can receive electricity without a hassle or disturbance. The electrical panel controls the power being sent to your home while protecting you from potential hazards.
So, any unusual sounds will give you concern. This could be a sign that you’re dealing with a serious problem and you’ll want to remedy that issue as soon as possible. What could the noise be? Let’s walk through some of the possibilities:
Subtle Humming
Do you hear a subtle buzzing sound? Is it faint and tough to hear until you get closer to the panel? The buzzing noise may not be noticeable at all times. And, it likely won’t keep you awake at night. The currents flow through the breakers like water in a stream. So, you’re likely going to hear a faint buzzing sound when getting close to your electrical panel. This may be normal and it might not be anything to worry about. If the noise gets loud, you may have something to worry about. Don’t wait to call an electrician.
Noticeable Humming from Electrical Panel
Is the noise a bit louder? Does it sound like a moderate hum? You may also hear a sparkling or clicking noise. These sizzling sounds could be a sign that something is wrong with the circuit breaker. The problem could be a handful of things. For instance, you might have a problem with loose or frayed wires. This is very dangerous and could lead to a fatal injury. With this in mind, you cannot risk it. You need to call a professional electrician so they can handle the problem.
Loud and Noticeable Humming
In some cases, the noise will be so loud that it’ll keep you up at night. A repetitive buzzing sound will be disturbing, and it will prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. What causes this to happen? Ultimately, it could be a number of problems. However, the most common issue is that the breaker should be tripping but it isn’t. This tells you that the breaker is bad. Your breaker should trip and shut down the power supply to your home when there is a power surge. This protects your home and prevents additional problems including electrical fire.
If the breaker isn’t working, the current will continue flowing to the wires in your home. This will cause heat accumulation and a very loud buzzing sound. This is a sign that you’re dealing with a serious problem. It is a problem that you cannot afford to ignore.