Buzzing coming from panel after dimmer switch installation

Submitted by Fluffy-Cress-9581 t3_10ka8q4 in DIY

Hello fellow DIYers,

I recently installed canned lights that I had to put on a new circuit and found that when I switch from a regular on/off single pole light switch to a dimmer switch it creates a buzzing noise from the electrical sub panel. I double checked the wiring in the panel, removed and reinstalled the new breaker, and tightened any screws down to their correct bus, but even after that I still hear a buzzing noise (you have to be fairly close and listening to actually hear it though). I find it odd that it only happens on the dimmer switch, so was hoping any of you would have an idea. Here is the specs below regarding products used:

Wire: 14/2 Lights: ensenior 6” canned lights Breaker: Siemens 15 amp Dimmer switch: Lutron Caseta PD-6WCL

I also attached another different type of dimmer switch and it still creates the buzzing noise.

Any help is appreciated!

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Fnordianslips t1_j5pkgio wrote

Maybe double check that all your bulbs are dimmable. The only time I've run into that buzzing is when I have a bulb that isn't dimmable. Alternately, you might have a bulb that's going bad and not dimming correctly.

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Fluffy-Cress-9581 OP t1_j5plgcc wrote

Ok I checked all the lights and they are dimmable, they are led canned lights, so the slim kind that you can’t really change out a bulb without replacing the whole light itself

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Diligent_Nature t1_j5q8ly5 wrote

Dimmers create noise because their output is not a sine wave. They have harmonics which extend to the hundreds of even thousands of Hz. This high frequency causes slight vibration in the coils used by thermal/magnetic circuit breakers. As long as it is faint I wouldn't worry about it.

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Fluffy-Cress-9581 OP t1_j5qd2oh wrote

Ok thanks for your input! This seems to be the conclusion I am reaching as well.

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ThatGuyGetsIt t1_j5pbnxk wrote

How many lights are connected?

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Fluffy-Cress-9581 OP t1_j5pbqa3 wrote

7 lights

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ThatGuyGetsIt t1_j5pgtvn wrote

Does the same buzzing occur if you only have 1 of the lights connected?

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Fluffy-Cress-9581 OP t1_j5pizks wrote

I pulled one down and only connected it up to one light and it did not make the buzzing noise. Could it be there are just too many lights for one dimmer to handle without making the buzzing sound at the panel? The reason why I am confused is I can have all the lights connected to a regular on/off switch, have them all be on at the same time with no buzzing, but when it’s on a dimmer that’s when the buzzing starts

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Fluffy-Cress-9581 OP t1_j5pke2p wrote

It seems the buzzing starts after I add the second light, although it is much quieter than when all are connected

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Fluffy-Cress-9581 OP t1_j5poy27 wrote

It also seems that the more lights I add to the circuit the louder the buzzing gets.

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knowitallz t1_j5ptc77 wrote

Lights have to be dimmable. Dimmer had to support LED that dim. Sometimes they aren't compatible. Try getting a better / different dimmer first. Since replacing lights is harder to do

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Fluffy-Cress-9581 OP t1_j5ptrkw wrote

These lights are dimmable and I have used the guides provided to purchase compatible dimmer switches. I have also tried another different type of dimmer switch and experienced the same noise results at the panel.

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boatluvr69 t1_j5pbrr6 wrote

The first thing I would do is make sure your bulbs are compatible with the type of dimmer you used.

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