bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
I was recently in a large gymnasium that has 6 rows of 1500-watt high bay fixtures. There are 8 fixtures in each row. There are three lighting contactors relaying 2 rows each.
Upon shutting down each of the three circuits, a very large and thunderous clicking noise with a low frequency hum followed as each set of lights turned off. Click-boom, Click-boom, Click-boom.
I have noticed this same noise at ball fields and during widespread power outages. My assumption has been two things. First, I assummed it was the noise of the contacts opening and resonating through the empty building, however this is not the case. I then assumed that it is actually the sound of silence that is made clear upon all noises being removed. For example, have you ever been alseep and wake just as the power goes out during a storm? Silsence is somehow very loud.
Any theories on where the noise is comming from? Does electricity create sound?
Upon shutting down each of the three circuits, a very large and thunderous clicking noise with a low frequency hum followed as each set of lights turned off. Click-boom, Click-boom, Click-boom.
I have noticed this same noise at ball fields and during widespread power outages. My assumption has been two things. First, I assummed it was the noise of the contacts opening and resonating through the empty building, however this is not the case. I then assumed that it is actually the sound of silence that is made clear upon all noises being removed. For example, have you ever been alseep and wake just as the power goes out during a storm? Silsence is somehow very loud.
Any theories on where the noise is comming from? Does electricity create sound?