Why Is My Circuit Breaker Buzzing? Common Causes

The circuit breaker plays a crucial role in your home’s electrical system, making it safe and efficient by eliminating overloading, short circuits, and electrical fires. Thus, acting as soon as possible is vital when something sounds out of the ordinary, such as a buzzing sound.

Most people who own a home might ignore that buzzing sound (if they hear it) and what it means for their electrical system. In this article, we’ll discuss why, the typical causes of it, and the measures to put in place to ensure that your house is always safe. Twin Cities Electric is always here to help you with any electrical concerns in your home, and knowing when to call will help maintain a safe and functional environment.

Why does the Circuit Breaker make a buzzing sound?

It is crucial to first look at any underlying causes. Circuit breakers act as a safety switch in your home’s electrical system, automatically shutting off power to a circuit when too much current flows through, thus preventing overheating, electrical fires, and other potentially dangerous situations.

A circuit breaker that is functioning correctly will usually not make any noise. Only one sound is noticed occasionally: a quick “click sound” when the breaker is turned on or off. It usually happens while switching off the power to the circuit due to an overload or short circuit. Some hissing noises, known as buzzing or humming, usually emanate from your breaker box when malfunctioning.

This brings us to the next point: identifying the common causes and helping you understand what could be happening inside your electrical system.

Common Causes of a Buzzing Circuit Breaker

Overloading the circuit

A common cause of circuit break buzzing is overloading the circuit. This occurs when too many appliances or devices pull power from one single circuit. Every house has circuits built to carry a specific amount of power load. When this limit is surpassed, the noise of an overworked breaker attempting to cope with the current will be heard.
Doing that constantly creates a thermal overload condition and the risk that the circuit may trip. If your breaker has not tripped and continues to buzz, it may indicate that the circuit is close to total capacity but has not yet reached the tipping point. It is a warning that the circuit has a fault, which should be rectified to prevent further damage.

Some Indications of an Overloaded Circuit:

Lights dim when switching on additional appliances.
There is a section in the house where the breaker keeps tripping repeatedly.
Switch plates emit heat or make noises, hissing, or crackling sounds without load.

Loose Wiring

Inappropriately installed wires are another possible cause of buzzing circuit breakers. When wires aren’t securely connected, they can cause an audible buzz. Loose wires within the circuits of a breaker panel pose a danger due to electrical arcing, which can pose a fire hazard. Electrical arcing occurs when electricity travels between two points and may cause overheating and potentially ignite nearby materials.
Wiring issues should always be handled by a professional electrician from Twin Cities Electric to ensure your home is safe and up to code. Loose wiring in or around the circuit box is not a DIY fix, as even a tiny mistake can have dangerous consequences.

Circuit Breaker That Is Worn Out

Circuit breakers can wear out over time like any other mechanical or electrical component in your home. A breaker that’s been in use for many years may no longer function properly and could start buzzing due to internal damage or wear.
Older/Worn-out breakers tend to have difficulty maintaining the connection between the circuits they’re designed to protect, causing heat and buzzing as they attempt to stay connected. If your home is older or your breaker has been the same for decades, it might be time to consider a replacement. Twin Cities Electric can assess your panel and help you decide if it’s time for an upgrade.

Electrical Arcing

Electrical arcing is a dangerous issue that can cause a buzzing circuit breaker. Arcing occurs when electricity jumps across gaps between loose connections, wires, or other components inside your breaker panel. The heat generated can damage your electrical system or, in some cases, cause a fire.
Arcing often produces a distinct buzzing or crackling sound and, if left unchecked, can cause severe damage to your home’s electrical wiring or components. If you notice those sounds, especially if they become irregular or louder than usual, you should immediately shut off the circuit’s power and contact a professional.

Appliances and Their Defects

In some cases, wiring or the circuit breaker may not have been the fault, but an appliance that works on that circuit is causing the noise and thus still acts as a triggering factor. When the appliance is broken or consumes more power than its share, the electrical panel may emit a buzzing sound due to a load imbalance.
Typical examples are the A/C, refrigerator, and other bulky electrical devices. If you observe the buzzing occurring only when specific devices are switched on, some trouble has undoubtedly occurred within; it’s probably time to have the devices repaired or serviced.

Is it Safe to Ignore a Buzzing Circuit Breaker?

It must be understood that a buzzing circuit breaker is not something to be taken casually. Yes, it is safe to say that the buzzing sound alone is not dangerous, but as mentioned above, the most critical challenges remain hidden. The reasons for the circuit breaker’s buzzing should be tackled before more complicated and potentially destructive issues arise, including electrical fires and circuit shorts.

Hearing a buzz from the circuit breaker is not good. Instead, it’s a bad sign indicating that either the wiring, the breaker, or the appliances plugged into it have a problem. Only a qualified electrician should fix these complications. At Twin Cities Electric, we recommend contacting an expert immediately to avoid destruction or risk if any rough noises emanate from the breaker panel.

What Should You Do If Your Circuit Breaker Is Buzzing?

Turn Off the Breaker

The first action you should take if you hear a buzzing noise is to locate the circuit breaker making the noise and turn it off. This will help avert any potential hazards that may arise while waiting for an electrician by disconnecting power from that particular circuit.

Inspect Appliances and Circuits

After the breaker is shut off, look for the appliances or devices installed on that particular circuit. Is there any appliance or device that may be causing an overload? Are some of the appliances not functioning well and using excess energy? If you find the cause of the problem, disconnect the appliance from power and take it for maintenance before the breaker is turned back on.

Call a Qualified Electrician

Taking some preventive measures can be a good beginning. However, it is crucial to contact a licensed electrician to properly examine the breaker panel and fix or address the problem. Our electricians at Twin Cities Electric can determine if there is a need for circuit breaker replacement, wiring to be secured, or other electrical issues.

How To Avoid The Circuit Breaker From Buzzing

Electrical systems and equipment must always be maintained and inspected to avoid a buzzing circuit breaker. Here’s what you can do to reduce the chances of coming up with this problem:

Annual Electrical Inspections: It is advisable to have qualified personnel carry out an electrical inspection around your house at least once a year to identify possible problems before they become worse.
Reinforced Electrical Panels: If the house is relatively old, it is advisable to enhance the breaker panel for today’s electrical needs.
Maintain Appliances: To prevent your electric circuits from overloading, check your appliances for signs, wear, or malfunction to ensure they’re not overloading.

All in All

Don’t take this tell-tale sign lightly. Such indicators usually point out acute problems, such as overloading, loose wiring, or impending electrical fires in the worst-case scenario. Problems with the circuit breakers should inform the homeowner that the electrical wiring inside the walls is straining.

We cover Shakopee, MN, and surrounding areas. If your electric circuit breaker makes a buzzing noise, do not hesitate to contact Twin Cities Electric.