Why Does My Electrical Panel Buzz?

There are few home maintenance concerns that match electrical problems in terms of the worry they cause. People are naturally nervous when it comes to electrical systems because we all understand how critical and dangerous they are. A common issue we hear about is people worried that their electrical panel or circuit breaker has started buzzing. So we’ve put together this guide to what could be causing it and when you should be concerned.

Normal Noises From Electrical Panels

Believe it or not, some amount of humming from an electrical panel is normal. Maybe you finally got close enough when your home is quiet to finally notice it. A low, quiet hum or buzz is totally normal and is simply caused by the electricity coursing through the panel. That said, if the noise is very loud or has suddenly changed, you may want to consult a professional.

Sometimes, you may hear your electrical panel buzzing when there is a major draw on the power, such as when your HVAC system kicks in. Because the amount of power required to run the motors for some appliances and systems is so high, it’s not uncommon to hear a buzzing when they first start up and for about 30 seconds afterwards. If the buzzing persists, however, you may have a serious issue on your hands and should call a licensed electrician.

Most Common Cause of AC-Related Electrical Buzzing

One of the biggest reasons you may notice your circuit breaker or electrical panel buzzing, particularly when the AC kicks in, is due to a device in your HVAC system called an AC capacitor. Capacitors are like batteries in that they store an electrical charge. While batteries release that charge slowly over time, capacitors can release it in a matter of seconds or less. When the capacitor stops working, your AC system may have trouble getting started, which can cause a greater and prolonged draw on your electrical panel and voila, it buzzes loudly and for longer.

Other Causes of Buzzing Electrical Panels

There are a myriad of issues that can cause inappropriate or abnormal buzzing from your electrical panel. Those include things like a loose or damaged wire connecting to the panel, which would cause a buzzing or “sizzling” noise. It may even cause sparks, so if you notice this type of noise or issue, call a professional right away and do not touch the electrical panel or wires.

Another cause of loud buzzing is when a circuit breaker fails to trip as it should when the current through a circuit gets too high. This causes the loud noise as well as creates heat in the wires that can lead to electrical fires. So you’ll want to call an electrician immediately if you think this may be the cause of your problem.

Calling a Professional to Diagnose Your Electrical and HVAC Problems

At Ideal Conditions, we have a team of fully licensed professionals who can help with both AC and electrical issues. We are the premier HVAC Company in Jacksonville. We’re available 24/7 at 904-379-8762, so call us anytime you notice what might be a severe or critical issue. We’ll work with you to resolve it as soon as possible and ensure your home is safe and sound.

Improve the comfort of your home and save money on your electric bill by counting on Ideal Conditions for a comprehensive evaluation of your HVAC system in Jacksonville, FL. Whether you need ac repair or service, ac maintenance, or ac installation services, you can trust our expert air conditioning and HVAC Service team to boost the energy efficiency of your heating and AC system.

We are an authorized dealer of brands like Carrier, Train etc, and we service all HVAC equipment. License #CMC1250363.