Intermitten buzz from breaker box?

[Scott K]

Every once in a while, a couple times an hour, I have noticed more when cold out, there is a quick 1 second buzz that comes from my main circuit box. I have noticed it last year during the cold part of winter, now I just started to notice it again this winter. I am assuming a weak breaker, but how would I figure out which one is doing it?

Should I be concerned of house fire? If I call an electrician to come here, if he doesnt hear it will he be able to figure out which one or what is causing it? I would hate to pay a service call, for him to say, I dont hear anything!

Thoughts? I am pretty handy with electrical stuff, but I dont know how I would find out which one it is, is there a test?

[BobT]

If it is intermittent it can be tough to locate. You have been able to determine a clue, temperature.

Can you think of anything electrical in particular that may be working harder or more often as it gets colder outside? For example, do you have anything plugged in like a space heater or something that you normally wouldn't be using?

I suspect that maybe a circuit breaker is going sour. I suppose it is possible that you have a circuit that is drawing extra current and the breaker isn't tripping properly when it should or it is just not handling the load like it should even though it may not be necessarily excessive.

Bob

[Scott K]

I cant think of any extra loads. Last year I went and shut off like 5 at a time and thought I narrowed it down, but I dont remember which ones I thought it was, and I remember it took several days of doing this. The circuit breakers are in my office so I hear it during the day while working. I am home alone and have almost all stuff shut off.

[JohnMickish]

Do you notice anything that is turning on at that time, like maybe a well pump, oven or anything that might have a high draw. Do you have anything that runs on a contactor or timer that is located by the breaker box? Is there any other equipment located near the box, like a doorbell transformer?

[Scott K]

The only thing that I can think of would be the fridge, hot water heater, or deep freeze that would have a larger draw. No well, no other draws that should be running. I guess I will try the elimination thing again, then just replace the ones I think are bad. A few breakers will be cheaper then a service call anyhow.