I just noticed today that the light switch in my garage was buzzing at
100 Hz when the lights (3 x 40 watt fluorescent tubes) were on. It is a
2-way switch ganged to another, that one does not buzz, but the 'duff'
switch buzzes in either position if 'on'. I've replaced the switch with
another I had kicking around, that also buzzes but to a much lesser extent.

What is going on, for the buzzing to be at 100 Hz there might be a
rectifying effect somewhere inside the switch ?

--
Mark
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Mark Carver wrote:
I just noticed today that the light switch in my garage was buzzing
at
100 Hz when the lights (3 x 40 watt fluorescent tubes) were on. It is
a
2-way switch ganged to another, that one does not buzz, but the
'duff'
switch buzzes in either position if 'on'. I've replaced the switch
with
another I had kicking around, that also buzzes but to a much lesser
extent.

What is going on, for the buzzing to be at 100 Hz there might be a
rectifying effect somewhere inside the switch ?

if a plain vanilla on/off switch buzzes its an immediate fire risk.

NT

Mark Carver wrote in message ...
I just noticed today that the light switch in my garage was buzzing at
100 Hz when the lights (3 x 40 watt fluorescent tubes) were on. It is a
2-way switch ganged to another, that one does not buzz, but the 'duff'
switch buzzes in either position if 'on'. I've replaced the switch with
another I had kicking around, that also buzzes but to a much lesser extent.

What is going on, for the buzzing to be at 100 Hz there might be a
rectifying effect somewhere inside the switch ?

A sinewave produces one positive and one negative peak per cycle,
hence 100hz instead of 50hz buzzing. If your switch is noisy it's not
making a proper contact and should be replaced or fixed.
M.K.

markzoom wrote:
Mark Carver wrote in message ...

I just noticed today that the light switch in my garage was buzzing at
100 Hz when the lights (3 x 40 watt fluorescent tubes) were on. It is a
2-way switch ganged to another, that one does not buzz, but the 'duff'
switch buzzes in either position if 'on'. I've replaced the switch with
another I had kicking around, that also buzzes but to a much lesser extent.

What is going on, for the buzzing to be at 100 Hz there might be a
rectifying effect somewhere inside the switch ?


A sinewave produces one positive and one negative peak per cycle,
hence 100hz instead of 50hz buzzing.

Doh ! of course, obvious if I actually think about it properly !

If your switch is noisy it's not
making a proper contact and should be replaced or fixed.
M.K.

Will do today as soon as B&Q open !


--
Mark
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