Strange buzzing switch fuse!

[Dave_]

Old Wylex 5419 switch fuse making a buzzing noise.

Opened it up no sign of overheating loose connection etc

Only does it sometimes...

I have seen meters, rcds, mcbs buzz but not a switch fuse...

Very strange.... any ideas?

 

[westward10]

They are MEM by the way.

 

[marconi]

And as Murdoch suggested in his #6 see if you can find out the types of lamp in use in each flat and how they are controlled/dimmed and what form of power supply they use (eg if switch mode ones are in use). Similarly what computer equipment, induction hobs, large TVs are in use and see if any electric storage heaters have their elements controlled by solid state relays. All these devices draw current which is not perfectly sinusoidal and often pulse-like. You might be able to tie in the use of these equipments with the occurrence of buzzing.

 

[Marvo]

Love the use of technology to show us the fault.....

The video is 63 megs....my internet ground to a halt for several minutes downloading it.

 

[Marvo]

Love the use of technology to show us the fault.....

The video is 63 megs....my internet ground to a halt for several minutes downloading it.

 

[westward10]

Sure it isn't someone's washing machine going into a spin cycle.

 

[static zap]

If its not dimmed LEDs
Any modern ...electronically controlled heating ?
Solar installs nearby daytime ... (clutching straws)
(.. I have hard things vibrate due to passing lorries ..)
( Rural settings + tight corners )
..... Get a clamp meter in there ....
or a magnetic pick-up coil ... Follow the hum !
Sounds very transformer hum like !
As Marconi says...
Like theory that there is a loop in wiring carring appreciable current

 

[BOYD BARKLEY]

Do let us know what you find...

Do let us know what you find...

see if this link works to see video sent by client.....

Shared on 5 Mar 2018 - https://we.tl/s-LRtcwEfN12

There is a row of four main switch fuses with meters below supplying 4 flats in a victorian conversion.

I was told it was a main switch buzzing and I said no i'm sure its a meter and they were sure it was the switch. Video proves it is the switch (sent after I was there) I opened up all four switches when I was there and all connections are sound, no sign whatsoever of overheating, they were probably fitted in the 1980s and are absolutely mint, I don't think it's a loose connection or arcing but that seems the only plausible explanation. It supplies a one storey 1 bed flat, not sure what type of lighting.

Weird!

I think it's vibration on the metalclad coming from the meters

 

[static zap]

The video is 63 megs....my internet ground to a halt for several minutes downloading it.

..Thanks for making me feel better about how much
my internet costs..
(did do free 1 hr limited dial up with a cable company--many years ago)

 

[pirate]

I have little experience in this field, however I would just say that from intensive reading of the many fascinating threads on this forum it seems to me that LED lighting is the cause of many anomalies.
I don't pretend to know why, but statistically those shiny wee buggers seem to mess with everything...
I replaced all my GU10 downlighters with LED jobs...such a huge drop in power consumption, as I had 44 50W lamps, and they are all now 5W...all was ok until I changed the last 4 in my utility room, at which point the outside security light failed to work properly. Indeed, whenever I tried to switch it on the circuit tripped. It is wired through a 2 gang switch which switches the utility room on one switch and the security light on the other, via a JB in the attic...the usual red, black and yellow and g/y earth...
Just changing the lamps caused the fault, and swapping them back everything was ok. Now, maybe the security lamp external wiring was the problem, and somehow the LED side "sensed" that?
All I had done was swap halogens for LED...
I eventually gave up and put in a new circuit from the garage...tee'd off a socket via a SFCU, through flexible conduit, to the security lamp...and it has been fine ever since.
Just saying...
Oh well, it all works fine now...
but if anyone wants to tell me what a numpty I am, well I'd be happy to hear from you!
(Excluding folks who just want to say "You're a Numpty" for the fun of it, but with nothing else to contribute...)


My neighbour has 3 new LED lights over his front porch, and they glow slightly all the time, even when off at the switch...
Now, there are guys on here who fully understand all this stuff, and I am not one! However, it does seem that you can get away with some odd "leakages" on conventional gear, but LED stuff is much more sensitive...which is frustrating sometimes, but "A Good Thing" as Winnie The Pooh would say, because it brings to light matters which would be better addressed than ignored...I have a kitchen light which, when disconnected shows a glow on L and N when tested with one of those "professional" neon screwdrivers...but having fitted a new light unit, it functions perfectly...
and before you ask, it shows nothing on my proper meter...
So, excuse my ramblings please...LED lighting seems to be the new "socket tester" giving both true and ridiculous readings...
BTW, anyone looking for about 50 x 50W GU10 halogens? LOL!