Okay I installed three 13 W standard sized CFL's into a track lighting
fixture today. The fixture is control by an automatic switch that
detects motion and heat, similar to this
http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-IPP15-1LW-Manual-On-Applications-180-Degree/dp/B0012DNL6Y
Well in the automatic mode, buzzing occurs in all three bulbs when
activated on (when motion is sensed) and bulbs remain buzzing until
lights turn off. They do not buzz when I flick the switch directly to
on, bypassing the automatic setting. So the switch is not good for
controlling CFL bulbs. Understood.
But more interesting, the electrical panel, also in the same room will
buzz as those lights buzz. Panel is 18 months old, and all breakers are
18 months old and nothing seems loose or warm.
Could the panel buzz in unison with the lights because it's close to
tripping but doesn't quite? Breaker is arcing? Is the electronic
circuit in the photocell switch forcing a strange load on the circuit
that traces back to the panel? Am I just hearing noises bouncing off
the wall?
I simply don't know enough about electrical panels to know for sure, and
I only seek an answer out of curiosity. I will most likely just buy a
light switch sensor that is compatible for CFL's, but would like to hear
people's theories as to the panel buzzing just for shits and giggles.
"Duesenberg" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Okay I installed three 13 W standard sized CFL's into a track lighting fixture
> today. The fixture is control by an automatic switch that detects motion and heat,
> similar to this
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-IPP15-1LW-Manual-On-Applications-180-Degree/dp/B0012DNL6Y
>
> Well in the automatic mode, buzzing occurs in all three bulbs when activated on
> (when motion is sensed) and bulbs remain buzzing until lights turn off. They do
> not buzz when I flick the switch directly to on, bypassing the automatic setting.
> So the switch is not good for controlling CFL bulbs. Understood.
>
> But more interesting, the electrical panel, also in the same room will buzz as
> those lights buzz. Panel is 18 months old, and all breakers are 18 months old and
> nothing seems loose or warm.
>
> Could the panel buzz in unison with the lights because it's close to tripping but
> doesn't quite? Breaker is arcing? Is the electronic circuit in the photocell
> switch forcing a strange load on the circuit that traces back to the panel? Am I
> just hearing noises bouncing off the wall?
>
> I simply don't know enough about electrical panels to know for sure, and I only
> seek an answer out of curiosity. I will most likely just buy a light switch sensor
> that is compatible for CFL's, but would like to hear people's theories as to the
> panel buzzing just for shits and giggles.
The electromagnet in the breaker is doing the buzzing due to the (greater
than 60Hz) current "noise" caused by using a CFL in series with the
motion sensor. The breaker will be fine but the motion sensor and/or
the CFL will likely have a much shorter life than usual. Solution: use
dimmable CFL's or a motion sensor designed for CFL's.
Art