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Polls Mains hum
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  • Author Author: neuromodulator
  • Date Created: 18 Jan 2020 6:32 PM Date Created
  • Last Updated Last Updated: 11 Oct 2021 2:59 PM
  • Views 1056 views
  • Likes 1 like
  • Comments 12 comments
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Mains hum

Probably many community members are quite familiar to the mains hum. What effect does it have on you?

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Top Comments

  • genebren
    genebren over 3 years ago +4
    Very scary! I have worked on power inverter systems (up 1MW), which produces both a mains hum as well as much higher frequency switching noises. That is, until it doesn't. That is when the loud noises…
  • neuromodulator
    neuromodulator over 3 years ago in reply to genebren +4
    I've never had any of such experiences, nor do I often get close to large AC devices, but the hum still makes me anxious. The noise in some way reminds you that you are not safe and you could die at any…
  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 3 years ago +3
    Working with AV, it is a nuisance...
  • kkazem
    kkazem over 1 year ago

    It makes me want to get rid of it by using notch filters in my audio circuits. This can be done in either the analog or digital domain, but it's better using digital filters since there are no component tolerances nor variations over time to worry about.

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  • rstone
    rstone over 2 years ago

    I have tinnitus and when it's loud enough to hear over that, it just makes it worse.

     

    Rick

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  • three-phase
    three-phase over 3 years ago

    I must confess that I do like a good old bit of power hum listening.

     

    It is the initial condition assessment of high voltage electrical apparatus, particularly power distribution and generator step-up transformers.

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  • wolfgangfriedrich
    wolfgangfriedrich over 3 years ago

    At home I know it is the capacitor for the well pump startup. So I am getting anxious about when it is going to fail.

    anywhere else I am just curious what piece of equipment it is that makes the distinctive sound.

     

    Humming switch mode power supplies are much scarier to me.

    - W.

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  • halimahext125
    halimahext125 over 3 years ago

    It's good and bad. I just heard a hum yesterday. It told me that power was getting to an AC powered motor and that the passive components ahead of it may need replacement. Turns out the motor brake was causing the issue (after the burnt out wires from the main were replacedimage). The humming let me know that the troubleshooting was paying off because at first plug in there was no hum through the coils.

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  • kmikemoo
    kmikemoo over 3 years ago

    Being able to hear electricity puts me on edge.  I'm okay with contactor hum but I shouldn't hear sound from a breaker panel or even a fluorescent light ballast.  I guess I expect it in a substation, but the hum in a foundry makes me anxious.  Tens of thousands of amps is almost inconceivable.  I work with mains power regularly so my position is "If I can hear it, it needs to be fixed."

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  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 3 years ago

    Loud AC Hum always catches my attention as it either means that there is high enough voltage and current to cause the noise or there is something wrong like a bad ground in audio cords or poorly designed or mounted transformer. The hum is a challenge to find out what is going on, hopefully before there are flying caps as described by Gene.

     

    John

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  • dougw
    dougw over 3 years ago

    I don't like it but I don't hang around high power AC if I can help it so I don't think about it much.

    Hum as it pertains to analog signal noise is annoying to deal with, but not dangerous.

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  • colporteur
    colporteur over 3 years ago

    I think about the possible impacts over the long term. I'm assuming if you can hear the hum your close to the source.

     

    I worked in an RF environment for 17 years. I made every attempt to limit my exposure to RF in and outside the environment. I just short of wearing a tin foil hat.

     

    Story. We had a person stand in front of the antenna for a ground based aviation radar. The fail safe were in over ride to do some work. The individual had major health problems for a large part of his life.

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  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 3 years ago

    Working with AV, it is a nuisance... image

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