Subpanel breaker humming due to arc fault ...

[c2500]

Ok,

I have a Seimens subpanel. It has a 100 amp main in it, though it is being fed with 90 amps. The panel feeds 3 bedrooms, a large laundry, and hallway. The bedrooms each have their own 15 amp arc fault lighting circuit, and 20 amp arc fault receptacle circuit. The 100 amp breaker is humming. When I turn off one of the 15 amp arc faults, the humming ceases. No breakers are tripping. The lighting circuit consists of cans with 60 watt bulbs installed, and for the non-can fixtures, they have 2 wire pigtails with 60 watt bulbs. Normal switches, no dimmers.

Power was just switched on, so the lighting temporary/not trimmed out to get the rest of the trades moving forward.

Is this characteristic of the Seimen's arc faults? A bad arc fault? Any other thoughts? This is the first time I have used Seimens, so I have no background with the products.

Thanks for your input.

c2500

 

[ptonsparky]

What is the actual load on the 15 amp breaker? Try switching it with a new or different one. If the hum follows the breaker, throw it out or trade it in for a replacement.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Are you sure it is the 100 amp breaker that is humming and not the arc fault. I have had little experience with Siemens but I know they had trouble with their arc faults but that was the old ones.

 

[JohnJ0906]

Is it one particular circuit/AFCI breaker that seems to be causing the hum? Maybe try swapping the AFCIs around?

 

[c2500]

I am going to try the swap. I was more worried about the lights than trouble shooting the breakers...was hoping someone might have heard of a problem before I went changing everything around.

I won't get back over there until next week as my schedule goes, but I will post the results.

Thanks,

c2500

 

[c2500]

What is the actual load on the 15 amp breaker? Try switching it with a new or different one. If the hum follows the breaker, throw it out or trade it in for a replacement.

at this point 300 watts or less.

 

[growler]

was hoping someone might have heard of a problem before I went changing everything around.

I won't get back over there until next week as my schedule goes, but I will post the results.

I have had seimens arc fault breakers ( a couple) to hum when new and just installed and all I did to correct the problem was use a different arc fault breaker. I returned the one's with the hum as bad ( exchange ).
They were not tripping or anything just making a noise but if I'm paying $35 bucks a breaker I want them to be quiet. :grin:

 

[c2500]

I have had seimens arc fault breakers ( a couple) to hum when new and just installed and all I did to correct the problem was use a different arc fault breaker. I returned the one's with the hum as bad ( exchange ).
They were not tripping or anything just making a noise but if I'm paying $35 bucks a breaker I want them to be quiet. :grin:

Thanks. ...... (now the minimum character requirement is met)

 

[c2500]

Was cruising through some old posts......I swapped the arc fault breaker at the supply house, and guess what? The new one was a whole lot quieter than the one I traded in. (Not to mention, I tried the old one on other circuits and had the same loud hum.)

c2500

 

[Ragin Cajun]

Ah, the benefits of modern technology pushed beyond where it's ready by code people and manufacturers in it together for the $.

Yes, I'm a cynic.

Glad you solved the problem.

RC

 

[GUNNING]

Not just seaman's.

Not just seaman's.

I got the same problem on a Square D afci. It's on a bedroom crt. Nothing else on but a room ceiling fan. When I turn off the room fan the breaker quites humming. Evidently this is not unique to Seaman's. By the way its my kids room. Heard the one about the cobblers kids needing shoes?

Maybe if they change the name from Combination AFCI to Noisy AFCI it will make them better and more acceptable AND they could charge more.

 

[walkerj]

I have heard siemen's AFCI's hum.
After a lengthy discussion, I told it the words and it started singing.

Somebody had to say it...