Electrical outlets can be found in any household; they provide electricity for electrical appliances. The electrical outlets sometimes can make sound, but not all electrical outlets should be producing sounds. When they produce sound, normal outlets refer to a faulty outlet or a connection problem.
Meanwhile, other types like GFI outlets are supposed to produce sound due to their working mechanism.
Why Do Electrical Outlets Making a Clicking Noise?
Here is the answer:
The electric outlet makes the click noise when the outlet tries to cut the circuit’s power when there is a fault in the circuit, but it has to be a single click; continuous clicking refers to a faulty outlet. The outlet uses a mechanical part in its structure, formed from a spring and a button.
When the spring is triggered, it pushes the piece responsible for cutting the power, and this part makes the clicking sound. This piece is usually a button, and it clicks when it cuts the circuit’s power to protect any nearby user from getting electrocuted if there is a short circuit or overcurrent condition in the circuit.
The outlet should always make only a single click; when the outlet starts making a continuous clicking, that is a sign of a faulty outlet, the clicking sound can come and go over time, but the outlet needs to be changed. The outlets used for protection from ground faults are called ground fault interrupters “GFI” or ground fault circuit interrupter “GFCI.” If the outlet has stopped working properly, you will need to replace it as soon as possible because the outlet is no longer protecting you from ground faults.
Is it Normal for All Electrical Outlets to Make a Click Sound?
No, it’s not normal for all electrical outlets to make a click sound; the GFCI or the GFI outlets are supposed to make a click sound because they have a mechanical part in their structure consisting of a spring and a button. This mechanical part is responsible for making the click sound, the spring is triggered, and then the button is pushed to make the sound.
When the button is clicked, the power is cut off the circuit, and the GFI outlets stop working until the red button is pushed back. The normal outlets don’t have this mechanical part found in the GFI outlets; therefore, when the normal outlet makes a clicking noise or sound, the outlet has something wrong, and action should be taken immediately to avoid any electric hazards.
Is Buzzing Sound the Same As Clicking Sound in Electrical Outlets “GFI”?
No, the buzzing sound is not the same as the clicking sound in electrical outlets “GFI.” the click sound if it is a single time, not a continuous one, then the electrical outlet is working properly because the outlet produces this sound when the circuit has a ground fault.
The GFI outlet interrupts the fault by cutting off the power of the circuit, this generates a clicking sound, however, the buzzing sound is not normal in GFI and should not be found, the buzzing sound can have many reasons, and they should be repaired immediately for your safety, for example:
- Loose Cables
Loose cables can be responsible for the buzzing sound in the GFI outlet; when wires are loose, this can cause vibrations between the wires; as a result, the outlet vibrates and makes a buzzing sound. Buzzing sound is a normal thing for outlets connected to AC because alternating current changes its direction multiple times per second, which reverses its polarity this can result in a buzzing sound; however, the human ear can not hear the buzzing of the alternating current, therefore, if you can hear a buzzing coming from the GFI outlet, there is a problem. - Excess Current from Breaker
If you have checked the GFI outlets and the wires of the outlets are tightly connected, and there are no loose wires, you need to check the breaker supplying the outlet. The breaker could be supplying the outlet with an excess amount of current; this can generate a buzzing sound from the outlet; the main reason for the buzzing sound doesn’t have to be the outlet itself. - Worn and Torn Wiring
When wires are torn and worn, they can produce a crackling, hissing, or buzzing sound. Usually, if the wires are torn, you will see burn signs on the outlet; if you don’t see any burn signs, you will need to open the outlet and check carefully for any torn wires. If the wires are worn, you will need to consult an electrician to determine whether the receptacle has to be changed or not. - Appliance Plug
The plug of an appliance can be the reason for the buzzing or crackling sound you hear. When a plug is faulty, the wires inside it can be either worn or loose, which generates a buzzing sound. To solve this confusion, you will need to connect the plug to another outlet; if the old outlet stops producing a buzzing sound, then the plug is the reason for the sound, while if the sound continues, then the outlet is the problem. You will need to check its wires and the supplying breaker. - Faulty GFI
The buzzing sound sometimes refers to the lifespan end of a GFI outlet; when an outlet reaches this point, it needs to be replaced immediately because the circuit will have np protection if there is a short circuit or overcurrent condition.
Why Is an Electrical Outlet “GFI” Making a Humming Sound?
The main reason an electrical outlet is making a humming sound is the transmission of electric current; the vibrations resulting from the electric current transmission are responsible for the humming sound of an electric outlet. Therefore, the humming sound can be only a problem or a sign of a faulty GFI when the sound changes into a buzzing sound or gets louder.
Although it is very rare to hear a GFI humming, some people can hear humming coming from their outlet; if it is slight, you are fine.
Why Is an Electrical Outlet “GFI” Making a Chirping Sound?
The chirping sound can result due to many reasons such as faulty receptacles, overloading, or loose connections. Transmission lines are usually where you will hear the chirping sound due to the corona discharge, however, some GFI electrical outlets are designed to produce a chirping sound instead of a clicking sound when they trip.
This is why the chirping sound can be a surprise for some people who never heard the chirping sound from a GFI outlet before. The chirping sound is the same as the clicking sound; it’s designed to alert the user that there was a fault in the circuit and the outlet has cut off the power, and the outlet has stopped working.
How To Fix an Electrical Outlet “GFI” Making Noise?
- Bad Wires
After inspecting the electrical outlet, if the wires are the problem for the sound, worn and torn wires can make noise when the electric current pass through them, you can replace the wires or hire a qualified electrician to replace them. - Bad GFI
If the GFI is the reason for the loud noise, you should replace it with a new one, some people try to fix defective outlets, but if the outlet produces a loud buzzing or humming, it should be replaced because defective GFI can not be trusted even they were repaired. - Noise
The GFI is supposed to be producing some noise while working because the mechanical part clicks when interrupting any fault in the circuit; therefore, you can’t do anything to stop the outlet from producing this noise; however, if the outlet continues to produce the noise even after the power is disconnected, you need to check it or replace it.
Conclusion
To sum up, the electric outlet makes the click noise when the outlet tries to cut the circuit’s power when there is a fault in the circuit, but it has to be a single click; continuous clicking refers to a faulty outlet. The outlet uses a mechanical part in its structure, formed from a spring and a button.
When the spring is triggered, it pushes the piece responsible for cutting the power, and this part makes the clicking sound. This piece is usually a button, and it clicks when it cuts the circuit’s power to protect any nearby user from getting electrocuted if there is a short circuit or overcurrent condition in the circuit.
The outlet should always make only a single click; when the outlet starts making a continuous clicking, that is a sign of a faulty outlet, the clicking sound can come and go over time, but the outlet needs to be changed. The outlets used for protection from ground faults are called ground fault interrupters “GFI” or ground fault circuit interrupter “GFCI.” If the outlet has stopped working properly, you will need to replace it as soon as possible because the outlet is no longer protecting you from ground faults.
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I am Inemesit Etim and I am honest, reliable, confident, and responsible in my work. I am a highly talented, detail-oriented creative content writer with 3+ years of experience writing helpful content that gives value to readers like you. My articles are a product of intense research, both from personal experiences and from reading through the experiences of others. I love home improvement and I am glad I can help you improve the quality of your home and living experience.
