Odd noises at the house...

[imcarthur]

It's actually perfectly safe. Everything from the junctions to the street is local utility installed. I would assume that after the junction that it goes into exterior BX (shielded) cable/flex conduit until the meter base.

Ian

[Super_Dave_D]

Stop dancing around the question - its a ghost and we all know it!

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by milt

What kind of elec service connection is that? !!!!

Milt - I can't stop laughing! For some reason your response has given me a case of the unstoppable giggles. Funny. Thanks, I need it.

[T77911S]

odd noises at the house- oh my, how many jokes for that one.


i have a noise kinda like that, it sounds like a nail moving in and out as the wall heats up. its on the sunrise side so we hear it in the mornings. it goes along with the old house.

[The Gaijin]

OK guys - another strange noise - and I finally tracked it down..

A funny "buzz" sound - definitely electrical. On the ground floor it sounded downstairs, in the basement it sounded up-stairs. Not in the closet, not out of the fuse box.

Attached to a floor joist in the basement, behind a cabinet - is a small square metal box, romex cable in and out and a small wire running across the joist and into the oil burner. Apparently it is some kind of transformer.

The thing is - maybe because it is the summer and nobody is around: But I never heard this thing for years and now I hear it all the time.. It looks original to the house (early '50s). Could this thing be breaking down? Is this noise normal? Is it a potential fire hazard?

Thanks.

[equality72521]

Originally Posted by The Gaijin

OK guys - another strange noise - and I finally tracked it down..

A funny "buzz" sound - definitely electrical. On the ground floor it sounded downstairs, in the basement it sounded up-stairs. Not in the closet, not out of the fuse box.

Attached to a floor joist in the basement, behind a cabinet - is a small square metal box, romex cable in and out and a small wire running across the joist and into the oil burner. Apparently it is some kind of transformer.

The thing is - maybe because it is the summer and nobody is around: But I never heard this thing for years and now I hear it all the time.. It looks original to the house (early '50s). Could this thing be breaking down? Is this noise normal? Is it a potential fire hazard?

Thanks.

Yes, it could be on its way out. Yes, it it a potential fire hazard. I would have a certified electrician test it.

[The Gaijin]

Originally Posted by equality72521

I would have a certified electrician test it.

Thanks. Good advise.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by The Gaijin

A funny "buzz" sound - definitely electrical. On the ground floor it sounded downstairs, in the basement it sounded up-stairs. Not in the closet, not out of the fuse box.

Attached to a floor joist in the basement, behind a cabinet - is a small square metal box, romex cable in and out and a small wire running across the joist and into the oil burner. Apparently it is some kind of transformer.

Possibly the low voltage coltrol for the furnace (thermostats are low voltage). Transformers buzz. Have it checked but it is probably nothing to worry about.

Ian

[creaturecat]

Any mechanical stuff in the walls?
The wires do not look like they are the problem.
Any tragedy occurred in the house, that you are aware of?
Buddy lived in a haunted house. Not for long.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by Sarc

Yes, in fact the two incoming line on the left side pass directly through the canopy of an extremely mature oak. In addition, the lower wire of the two is rubbing against a gable located at the rear of the house.
I think we've found the culprit. Thanks for the help guys..

You planning to trim those limbs and see if that cures it?

[Sarc]

Well, I think we solved the problem. I finally got around to calling the power company yesterday and they sent over a guy around 7 lastnight. Not only did he raise the wire 12" to clear the gable, he went ahead and trimmed the oak for me (which according to the service rep is my responsibilty). Cool guy; got into talking about old houses, old barns, restoration, etc.

Anyway, today we haven't heard anything so far...and it's just as gusty today as it was yesterday. So I think the problem's fixed. No ghosts, no critters.

Thanks again everyone.

PF

[tabs]

Come back and ask us again after you hae rectified all the possible solutions for your noise. and it still is happening...

[The Gaijin]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Possibly the low voltage coltrol for the furnace (thermostats are low voltage). Transformers buzz. Have it checked but it is probably nothing to worry about.

Ian

Thanks Ian.

[GH85Carrera]

You must not get much wind. That is a scary connection. If it were my house I would hire an electrician ASAP.

[Instrument 41]

I can relate to strange sounds. I had a home that was built in 1858 that we did a total Restoration on. Every afternoon as the sun was setting a popping sound would come from the wall. After about 6 months of this happening on a very regular schedule I did some digging. The friggin painted dropped a paint lid in the wall. When the temp would change the lid would pop.

[idontknow]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Possibly the low voltage coltrol for the furnace (thermostats are low voltage). Transformers buzz. Have it checked but it is probably nothing to worry about.

Ian

We're changing out a 30kva xformer in the local Walmart eye center. It's not defective or damaged but everyone wearing a hearing aid complains about it. They say the noise is unbearably loud. Transformers may be fine even though they buzz, but that doesn't mean you have keep it.

[Aerkuld]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

You must not get much wind...

I get a lot of wind. My wife has noticed some strange noises in our house.