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Low voltage transformer for heating or air conditioning (C) Daniel FriedmanElectrical System Noise Sources
Find & fix noises traced to building electrical components, wiring, devices

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about diagnosing the source and finding the cure for noises or sounds in or around buildings and their systems

Building noise traced to electrical system components, fixtures, devices, transformers, relays, or wiring.

How to track down and fix building sounds originating in electrical system components or devices.

We also discuss methods of sound or noise control in buildings during construction or as a building retrofit.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Electrical Equipment or Electrical System Noises in buildings: diagnosis & cure

Uninterruptible power supply (C) Daniel FriedmanList of Common Sources of Noise from Electrical Sources

Our photo shows a battery-backup power supply used to protect computer equipment from power surges and from brief electrical power outages.

You might hear a periodic beep if the system has switched to battery backup, but some battery backup systems also make regular clicking noises or may even include a small fan that those with acute hearing can notice.

It is important when tracking down sounds coming from electrical panels, wires, or equipment to decide quickly if the noise is normal or if it indicates an unsafe or abnormal condition .

Watch out: Electrical System Noises can be signs of dangerous conditions: buzzing circuit breakers or fixtures may indicate that an electrical circuit is short circuiting or that a circuit breaker is not tripping when it should.

The risk is fire or electrical shock. If a circuit is acting strangely with flickering lights, noises, or odors, turn it off at the main electrical panel and call a licensed electrician promptly.

If you are unable to safely turn off an electrical circuit for any reason, get people out of the building and call your fire department or emergency services.

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2022-12-07 by A bee

@InspectApedia (Editor), thanks so much for your help. Much appreciated

On 2022-12-06 by InspectApedia (Editor) - Mircom Fire Alarm system device

@A bee,

+OK that's an image I can read: that's a Mircom Fire Alarm system device.

Mircom's website makes it difficult to find company contact information but you can post an inquiry at

https://mircom.com/product-documents/#contact-us

to ask their help in identifying the model of your Mircom fire alarm system and then they can provide you with an owner's / installer's manual for that specific Mircom fire alarm system product.

Mircom sells wireless (and probably also wired) building management systems beyond fire alarms, such as "building automation systems" , emergency exit lighting, integrated fire detection and building communication systems, access control systems,

Contact Mircom:
CORPORATE/CANADA
Tel: 888.660.4655
Fax: 888.660.4113

USA
Tel: 888.660.4655
Fax: 888.660.4113

INTERNATIONAL
Tel: 905.660.4655
Fax: 905.660.4113

mircom.com

On 2022-12-06 by A bee

@InspectApedia (Editor), the control is in the Closet and the other thing is a fire alarm and it’s in the front. Do you think they’re connected? Sorry I didn’t send the other pic, I wasn’t sure if they were connected anymore. This is the one outside the closet:

Mircom fire alarm control panel (C) InspectApedia.com ABee

On 2022-12-05 by InspectApedia (Editor)

@A bee,

I don't know as we have not one bit of context. What is the country and city of location, what kind of building is this, where in the building is it located, and can you get a sharper photo that shows any text or writing on that plastic cover.

If there are screws you could also remove the cover and look to see what's inside and post a photo of that and we are likely to be able to tell you what it is.

Watch out: if this is an electrical device that's having a short circuit it could be a fire hazard, something that's worth mentioning to your building management.


Clearly that's a control panel for something, perhaps an air conditioner or venting system, currently not initialized as the display shows odd figures.

What is the embossed writing that is on the cover in your prior photo - it's a bit blurry so we couldn't make it out.

If you can identify a manufacturer or product name anywhere on the system that will help track down what the control is intended to operate.

On 2022-12-05 by A bee

This has been buzzing constantly for months, and the building manager won’t reply. What is this?

I am from Canada British Columbia. In an apartment? I figured out it’s from the closet. I just pressed reset and the sound went off…do you know what this is?

Mircom fire alarm control panel (C) InspectApedia.com ABee

On 2022-02-03 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - sources of high-pitched noises

@Joetta,

Since you turned off the power to your house that should eliminate any of the mechanical systems in your home that use electricity. However, there are other sources of high-pitched noises such as some water supply piping systems. You can look at the collection of high-pitched noise source article you will find beginning at

NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

On 2022-02-03 by Joetta

I hear a loud high pitch noise outside my house. I shut off my breaker to house and went outside and could still hear this noise. What could it be?

On 2020-04-17 by danjoefriedman (mod) - is it breaker trying to trip?

I don't know what is making that sound, buit if it's a breaker trying to trip, I'd be worried about a no-trip fire hazard.

If you turn off circuit breakers one by one, does the noise stop?

On 2020-04-17 by richard a estes

my outdoor electrical panel makes a squeak squeak sound about every 5 minutes

On 2020-02-11 by danjoefriedman (mod) - use a noise event sound log

In the article index you will find a noise event log or sound event log that can help track down sources by keeping a record of time of occurrence combined with what equipment is operating or not at that time.

But you also need someone on site to inspect the building and its mechanical systems for potential noise sources. Otherwise, we're simply flying blind and making wild guesses that can be wasteful.

On 2020-02-11 by john

there is a loud buzzing noise that has been recurring in our condominium building in one area it lasts for a couple minutes only and can occour multiple times on a given day or not at all.

On 2019-04-10 by danjoefriedman (mod)

Crystal, you can post a photo with a comment but the software doesn't accept sound recordings nor movies. You can, however, email us a sound file for comment.

You will find organized help in noise identification and diagnosis at NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home

and detailed diagnosis and corrective measures by noise type or ultimately noise source found in the ARTICLE INDEX above on this page

On 2019-04-10 by Crystal

Can anyone identify this horrendous noise in my wall ?


...

Continue reading at ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOISE FAQs - questions & answers posted originally at the end of this page.

Or see these related

Recommended Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOISES at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS

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