Some switchboard equipment makes a faint hum, and that can be normal. A buzz that's loud, crackling, new, getting louder, or that comes with heat or a smell is not, and it should be looked at soon.
If you're unsure, ring 0421 772 661. We'll inspect the board, check for heat and loose connections, and tell you what's causing the noise.
If the switchboard is crackling, sparking, smoking, smells burnt or feels hot, keep everyone away from it. If you can turn off the main switch without touching anything damaged, do so; otherwise leave it and call 000 if there's smoke or fire. Ausgrid (13 13 88) handles faults on the meter and supply side.
Don't remove the switchboard cover, don't touch exposed parts, and don't spray anything into it. Older boards with ceramic fuses or exposed terminals are especially unsafe to touch.
Some devices make a gentle, steady hum when working normally: off-peak relays, contactors for hot water or pool equipment, doorbell transformers, and some electronic timers or smart meters. If it has always been there, is quiet and steady, and nothing is warm, it may be one of these.
What's not normal is a buzz that changes with load (louder when the oven or heater is on), a crackle or sizzle, intermittent snapping, or a noise from a specific breaker. Those often mean arcing at a loose connection or a failing device, and arcing produces heat.
Stand back, keep the cover on, and observe.
Is the noise from one area of the board, like a particular breaker or the meter? Note its label without touching inside.
Switch a heavy appliance on and off. If the buzz rises and falls with it, mention this; it points to a connection under load.
From a distance, look for discolouring, melted plastic or scorch marks. Note any hot or fishy smell, which can come from overheating plastic.
Breakers tripping, lights flickering or appliances misbehaving at the same time make the issue more urgent.
New appliances, recent storm damage or building work near the board are useful to mention.
Loose connections. A terminal that has loosened over years can arc slightly, making a buzz or crackle and generating heat. This is the most important cause to find early.
A failing breaker or safety switch. Internal wear can make a device hum and run hot, sometimes before it trips unexpectedly or stops tripping when it should.
An overloaded circuit. A breaker running near its limit for long periods can hum and heat up.
Old equipment. Ceramic fuse boards and early breakers weren't built for today's loads and are harder to keep safe. Our guide to signs you need a switchboard upgrade explains when replacement makes sense.
We inspect the board, use thermal checks and testing to find hot spots, then tighten or remake connections and replace any failing devices. If the board is old, overloaded or damaged, we'll explain the options, including a full switchboard upgrade with modern protection.
If you can smell burning anywhere in the house, read burning smell from a power point and treat it as urgent.
A faint steady hum from some relays, contactors or transformers can be normal. A loud, crackling or changing buzz is not.
It can be, if the noise is from arcing at a loose connection or a failing device. Have it inspected soon, and urgently if there's heat or a smell.
If you can switch it off normally without opening anything, that's fine as a precaution. Then call an electrician.
Not always. Often it's a loose connection or one failing device. An old or damaged board may be better replaced.
Meters and the supply side are managed by Ausgrid or your metering provider. We'll tell you if the noise is coming from there.
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