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Electrical Wiring

Random buzzing noise in outside wall

16 years ago

I have this random buzzing noise in an outside wall of my house. On the other side of the wall is a new 200 Amp box and the electric co. meter. even after switching off the master breaker in the outside box, the buzzing can still be heard, at random times.Not sure if the buzzing is from the box or the meter. Had the electric co. come out and check the meter and transformer...no problems noted, and we still hear the buzzing. Even in the middle of the night, when most of my electricity usage is minimual, the buzzing randomly occurs .Any help would be appreciated.

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Comments (12)

pjb999
16 years ago
Does the buzzing have a sort of pattern to it? If your supplier has an off-peak system, they send signals through the lines to turn those appliances on and off, and you can often hear it in things like transformers and audio equipment, etc.

If that's what it is, it would happen irrespective of electrical consumption in the house. That's my guess - from the sounds of it there's no danger....however, have you had the new switchboard checked? Having said that, if the buzzing continues with the master breaker off, it's in the meter or the supply itself, like I said. Probably nothing you can do.
texasredhead
16 years ago
Does the buzzing seem electrical in nature? Is it possible you have bees in the wall? Sounds dumb, but as electricians we have encountered bees in walls on a few occasions.
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First I would go outside and see if see any bees or wasp go outside and see if you see any bees or wasp flying because they have to forage. If there are honeybees I would call a beekeeper or someone that has done bee removal before. also you would probably would hear consistent buzzing unless you make a loud noise that would cause them to buzz. Happy Beekeeping! -Alex
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joe_chan
Original Author
16 years ago
no bees, and it does sound electrical to me. it's very random. it's definitely in the wall, the transformer is linked by a wire that spans to a the house above the ground. have checked the box, so they say.
bus_driver
16 years ago
It could be the wind vibrating the triplex service cable.
pjb999
16 years ago
Is it a buzz, or a hum?
joe_chan
Original Author
16 years ago
its a buzzing...sounds like a bee stuck in the wall, but its not.
cuffs054
16 years ago
Joe, I know you have said NO bees, but I had similar situation in a past house. The hive was on the other side of the stud cavity from where the noise seemed to be. Just a thought. (P.S. it was a BIG OLD hive!)
joe_chan
Original Author
16 years ago
cuffs054...i have not seen any bee outside, i think its also been too cold.

bus driver...have you seen this happen before with the triplex service cable? what is a good way to stop the vibrating?
vikingjuice
16 years ago
I've got this same problem. My hum/buzz sound starts off quiet then gradually gets louder and then fades to quiet. This repeats over and over. Goes on for about a good 40 minutes or so. ****Get this: As I was typing this, the noise started. I ran next door for my neighbor, he is an electrician. He traced the sound to outside...traced it all the way to the meter on the side of my house. The gas meter line. So I am calling the Gas Company tomorrow first thing. I have had this noise for a good month now. He lives on the other side of my duplex and he never hears it. I'll write back tomorrow if the Gas Co. says anything.
vikingjuice
16 years ago
The gas company just showed up and confirmed that this humming/vibrating sound was coming from my outside gas meter regulator. They are going to replace it (hopefully free of charge).
cpuksta
13 years ago
this is happening to me as well. It sounds like a cell phone vibrating at random times...
MarkSouthAustin
12 years ago
I have the same problem. The buzzing noise has been there for at least a year. I always assumed it was the electric meter since it is on the outside of the buzzing wall. Finally, after it really started to bother me, I flipped all my breakers and I could still hear the noise.

The exterminator just left and I have a carpenter ant infestation. Hard to believe ants were causing all that noise, hopefully the problem will be gone soon.

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