For the most part, electrical devices should operate quietly. You may notice a faint sound if you listen very closely, but it shouldn’t be obnoxious or disruptive.

If your power transformers are making a humming noise, it could be a sign that something is wrong. The same is true if your computer is making a lot more noise than usual, or if you hear a weird buzzing in your house. What should you do if your electrical devices are making noise?

Tracking Down the Source of the Noise

The first thing you should attempt to do is track down the source of the noise. Once you have a better idea of what’s making the noise, you can make a better plan of action for how to address it. You’ll also be able to articulate the problem much better to an electrician, should you need to call one.

• Test your appliances. First, consider testing some of your electrical appliances and devices. Closely monitor the noise and operations of things like computers, appliances, TVs, and other electrical devices. If you notice that one of these devices or appliances is making an excessive amount of noise, the problem may be isolated to it. Repairing or replacing the device in question could immediately solve the problem.
• Use a stethoscope. If you notice ambient background humming, you might be able to track down the source with a simple stethoscope or similar device. Run the stethoscope along the wall and listen closely; when does the noise get louder? You might hear noise in many areas of your house, or there might be one, obvious culprit. Either way, take note.
• Rely on process of elimination. The process of elimination is your best friend here. Access your circuit breaker and turn off all the circuits. Do you still hear the noise? If so, it’s incredibly likely that the source of the noise is not related to an electrical problem. You could have mechanical issues, you could have bees or other pests in your walls, or you might be dealing with a totally different type of issue.
• Consider the possibility of a non-electrical noise. Humming and buzzing isn’t always a result of an electricity problem. Remain open to the possibility of non-electrical noise.

The Most Common Causes of Electrical Noise

The most common causes of electrical noise include:

• Circuit breakers. Circuit breakers are designed to protect your electrical system from potential damage resulting from short circuits or electrical overload. Noise coming from your circuit breaker is probably a sign of malfunction, and should be addressed right away.
• Electric and gas meters. Digital electric and gas meters shouldn’t pose a problem, but older, analog meters may have moving parts that produce noise when not working properly. If this is the case, contact your utility provider to resolve the issue.
• Lights and fixtures. Lights and other fixtures are very common sources of electrical noise – especially fluorescent lights and dimmable lights. Replacing older bulbs with LEDs should immediately solve the problem in most cases.
• Electrical mains. Your electrical mains are home to an alternative current, and they’re bound to produce some light noise. But if this noise turns into a much louder, more metallic sound, it’s important to call an electrician and address the issue soon.
• Outlets and switches. Humming or buzzing coming from an outlet or switch is usually a sign of overloading; it could also be a sign of bad grounding. Calling a pro is the best course of action here.
• Transformers. By default, transformers produce a discernible hum or buzz as a sign of normal operations. Transformers process high volumes of electricity, so it’s only natural for them to produce some noise. However, if your transformer makes an excessive amount of noise, it could be a sign that an internal component has become damaged or that the device is not operating properly. As the transformer ages and suffers more wear and tear, the layers in the iron core can begin to separate and amplify vibrations. Problems with fans or windings within the transformer can also cause excessive noise.

Calling an Electrician

Electricity is profoundly dangerous, even for people who somewhat know what they’re doing. If you aren’t able to solve this problem quickly and easily, such as by changing a light bulb or replacing an old laptop, it’s a good idea to call an electrician. A professional will be able to help you diagnose the problem, brainstorm a solution, and execute the necessary work with minimal risk.

Humming and buzzing noises are always annoying, and if they’re loud or intermittent enough, they can seriously disrupt your quality of life. But with some proactive effort and a bit of detective work, you can track down the source of the noise and address it once and for all.