My fuse box is making a buzzing or humming noise!

If your fuse box has started buzzing, humming or making any other noises, you need to get a Part P electrician to take a look at it. Doing so can prove very costly, but if you need a one-off repair, we will arrange this for you and once you’re signed up, you’ll be covered for all subsequent electrical emergencies!

If your fuse box is making noise, it could be a very dangerous problem. As you need to get a qualified electrician to look at your fuse box, the following information is for your curiosity only – under no circumstances should you try to repair the fuse box yourself if you are not qualified to do so. You should also arrange a repair immediately – an electrical fire is a real risk and could happen at any time.

Loose connections

A loose connection, or even a minor loss of the integrity of your fuse box connections, can cause the electrical system to ‘arc’, which can lead to a buzzing or humming noise. The fuse box humming noise actually originates from the arc of electricity between the circuit breaker contacts and the bus bar within the box. This can also cause problems with plug sockets and outlets – it could have caused one of your appliances to have mysteriously stopped working.

Partial discharge

A partial discharge is a partial breakdown in the insulation that separates two active conductors. Over time, the energy this partial discharge can cause further degradation in the fuse box and to the insulation, meaning that the problem gradually worsens and becomes more dangerous.

What will an electrician do?

An electrician will be able to fix a humming fuse box without risking their health and safety. Fuse box humming could be dangerously hot to the touch or may be electrified, and could potentially explode or catch alight out-of-the-blue if someone unskilled starts trying to fix them.

The professional will tighten up the screws in your fuse box and identify the fuse or wiring that is causing the humming noise – it may be vibrating, or may be clearly out-of-place, or show signs of heat-related damage, such as browning. They will use specialist tools, such as insulating gloves and insulating tools, to perform the task safely. They may also disconnect appliances and other electrical items to find out if a circuit is overloaded.

Still having trouble?

Don’t attempt to make any changes to your electricals if you are unsure or not confident. Some electrical work in the home requires compliance with Part P building control and needs to be done in accordance with BS7671 wiring regulations. Don’t forget – electricity is VERY dangerous and can kill you.

Instead, call 24|7 Home Rescue on 0345 3192 247 and we can help. Our technical teams will run through some very simple troubleshooting with you over the phone to see if your problem can be resolved easily and if not, they will book one of our qualified and highly knowledgeable Part P certified engineers to get you back up and running as soon as possible.

Safety

Do not attempt any fuse box repairs if you do not have training and experience. When working with a fuse box, turn the mains switch down to disconnect power to the circuits. Malfunctioning fuse boxes can hold static electricity or remain dangerously hot when the power supply has been disconnected, so don’t touch them unless you know exactly what you are doing.

If you notice any electric sparks or smell burning metal or smoke, do not even attempt to shut down the power – leave the property immediately and contact the emergency services.

24|7 Home Rescue have designed a series of advice guides to help you out with some common household emergencies. If your fuse box keeps tripping out then please read our guide here. To find out more about 24|7 Home Rescue and the cover plans we provide, be sure to visit our website.

247 Home Rescue accepts no liability for any injuries or damages you sustain following the advice on this website. If in doubt, seek professional assistance.