ZinscoMan
Dec 12, 2017, 08:41 AM
This circuit has several wall outlets all on a 20amp standard thermal breaker. Most are never used (behind furniture).
To setup the question, these are the five consecutive wall outlets along the circuit to note:
Outlet #1: TV (rear projection analog), VCR on surge suppressor (it's not even close to the limit on amps)
Outlet #2: Normally nothing, currently Christmas tree lights on extension cord (3 strands, 50 tiny non-blinking on each strand plugged into different outlets on extension cord)
Outlet #3: Normally nothing
Outlet #4: Lamp with 100W bulb
Outlet #5: Normally nothing
I noticed when walking within 5 feet of outlet #3 a steady buzzing noise and putting my ear to the outlet it got louder so it is the source of the sound. Nothing's plugged into it. At the time, I had the lamp lit on #4, the TV was running on #1, and the Christmas lights were lit on #2. Checking the sound occasionally, it neither got lower in volume, changed in tone, or got louder after a few hours. The wall plate was not warm to touch. I listened to all the other outlets--only #5 had a much lower volume buzzing (with nothing plugged into it).
So I began a process of elimination. Since I haven't noticed it before, I suspected the seasonal Christmas lights could somehow be the cause even though that's not their outlet. Whether with only #4 (lamp), #2 (tree lights), or other combinations running, it was when #1 (TV) was running that I could hear a much lower volume buzz on #3 only when putting my ear near the wall plate (no buzz this time on #5).
So I got out my multimeter and started inserting the leads into each of these five wall outlets. In each one, I got a steady 122 volts. Then I checked the other unused outlets on the same circuit (just 3 additional). They all checked out with 122 volts. None of them warm to the touch.
So then at the same time of the evening I turn on the same things drawing the same amount of power as when I first heard the buzzing--no buzzing this time. Not even low hum coming from outlet #3 (and no buzz on any of the others). So while initially I was suspecting a loose connection but ruled it out since the outlet sees very light use and anything when plugged into it fits snugly and isn't difficult to pull out the plug... now I don't know what happened. Harmonics? 27 degrees F outside? Since it's not reproducible I'm thinking maybe it's not serious. Any ideas on what it was and what I should check first that I haven't if it comes back?
Thanks for reading,
Morty
To setup the question, these are the five consecutive wall outlets along the circuit to note:
Outlet #1: TV (rear projection analog), VCR on surge suppressor (it's not even close to the limit on amps)
Outlet #2: Normally nothing, currently Christmas tree lights on extension cord (3 strands, 50 tiny non-blinking on each strand plugged into different outlets on extension cord)
Outlet #3: Normally nothing
Outlet #4: Lamp with 100W bulb
Outlet #5: Normally nothing
I noticed when walking within 5 feet of outlet #3 a steady buzzing noise and putting my ear to the outlet it got louder so it is the source of the sound. Nothing's plugged into it. At the time, I had the lamp lit on #4, the TV was running on #1, and the Christmas lights were lit on #2. Checking the sound occasionally, it neither got lower in volume, changed in tone, or got louder after a few hours. The wall plate was not warm to touch. I listened to all the other outlets--only #5 had a much lower volume buzzing (with nothing plugged into it).
So I began a process of elimination. Since I haven't noticed it before, I suspected the seasonal Christmas lights could somehow be the cause even though that's not their outlet. Whether with only #4 (lamp), #2 (tree lights), or other combinations running, it was when #1 (TV) was running that I could hear a much lower volume buzz on #3 only when putting my ear near the wall plate (no buzz this time on #5).
So I got out my multimeter and started inserting the leads into each of these five wall outlets. In each one, I got a steady 122 volts. Then I checked the other unused outlets on the same circuit (just 3 additional). They all checked out with 122 volts. None of them warm to the touch.
So then at the same time of the evening I turn on the same things drawing the same amount of power as when I first heard the buzzing--no buzzing this time. Not even low hum coming from outlet #3 (and no buzz on any of the others). So while initially I was suspecting a loose connection but ruled it out since the outlet sees very light use and anything when plugged into it fits snugly and isn't difficult to pull out the plug... now I don't know what happened. Harmonics? 27 degrees F outside? Since it's not reproducible I'm thinking maybe it's not serious. Any ideas on what it was and what I should check first that I haven't if it comes back?
Thanks for reading,
Morty