Hi everyone. I have a question about an electric heater I just got. It is a Dayton model TYV14, 240 volt, 38 amp, 9.2kwh.

It seems to be working OK, thermostat is OK, but the question I have is should it make a humming sound, even when not in a heating/blowing cycle? There is a very quiet hum from the unit at all times. It is brand new, so hopefully in good working order.

Is a hum normal in this case?

Thank you,

Melody

It is from the transformer, which is essentially a big electro magnet. I have put rubber feet on, and relocated transformers to solve this complaint.

Thanks NorthernHeat. So if the transformer is humming, then I guess it is drawing current all the time? Doesn't seem very efficient. Is it a large electricity drain?

Transformer produce what's called inductance reactance, that is resistance to current flow, this is true of all inducers. Not until current starts to flow in the low voltage coil of the transformer does current start to flow heavily in the high voltage coil of the transformer. That is what they do. Transform voltage up or down from their source voltage.

Your home is full of transformers, nearly every appliance you own has one. That box you charge you cell phone with.. is a transformer. So don't worry about it, when the appliance is off very little power is used in the transformer.

There are many electrical formula's to determine how much power is consumed by a transformer. But trust in the fact, the enineers have designed them to use very little power when they are at rest, or they would get very hot and even pose many fire hazards.

Thanks again NorthernHeat.

Melody

My is doing the same so its OK to do this