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    cibrown33's Avatar
    cibrown33 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Nov 11, 2011, 03:08 PM
    Buzzing noise coming from circuit breaker when treadmill is running.
    I live in a home that was built in 1968 that has a basement that was finished, I believe when the house was built. We had to have an electrician install GFCI receptacles in the bathrooms and kitchens right after buying the house to bring it up to code. While my husband was using the treadmill in the basement, I was upstairs and heard a buzzing noise coming from the circuit breaker. We narrowed the problem down to the treadmill. I'm afraid for us to use the treadmill again until we have a licensed electrician come out and see what sort of fix may be needed for this issue. Should the breaker have been tripped in this case? There is one breaker box for the entire house including the basement. We could move the treadmill to a different location in the house and see if the same issue occurs, but I wanted to see what electricians here may suggest. Thanks!
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #2

    Nov 11, 2011, 03:29 PM
    Don't know the breaker size but buzzing usually indicates a substantial load is being applied. Not enough to trip the breaker but close. Running a motor on a circuit requires you to reduce the breaker capacity. Depending on the motor size, you may need to upgrade the wiring or install a dedicated line. If it is a 15 AMP breaker, DO NOT put a 20 in.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #3

    Nov 11, 2011, 05:44 PM
    Look for and read the label on the treadmill motor, how many amps does it draw?
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #4

    Nov 12, 2011, 05:12 AM
    Have the electrician replace the breaker with a new one of the proper size and rating to match the wire size.

    The buzzing indicates the breaker is worn and will fail soon.

    Breakers and circuits for motors are increased in size by 25% of the motors running current, not reduced. Have your electrician measure the amp draw of the treadmill, he will advise if the circuit can handle the motor.
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #5

    Nov 12, 2011, 03:07 PM
    Yea, I agree, just parsed it wrong.
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