Have you ever heard a weird buzzing noise emanating from an electronic device? I always wonder, “Why do I hear electrical buzzing in my head?” Or maybe you’ve been in a room with a lot of electronic devices and thought the air was buzzing in a creepy way? If so, you’ve heard one of the most common but strange things that happen with electronics: electrical buzzing sounds.
What do electrical buzzing sounds sound like?
Low-pitched humming or buzzing noises that emanate from electronic gadgets are called electrical buzzing sounds. They can sound like a faint alarm, a beehive far away, or even a high-pitched whine coming from your electrical fixture.
If you don’t take care of your HVAC system, it can sometimes cause electrical problems. You can hear these sounds in various electronic gadgets, including TVs, speakers, laptops, appliances, refrigerators, and even fluorescent lights.
But what makes these weird noises? Let’s see what an electrician can do to aid with these problems.
The Science Behind Electrical Buzzing Sounds
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is the most common reason for electrical buzzing sounds. When the electromagnetic field of one device affects the operation of another device, EMI happens. This can happen when two gadgets are near each other or when one device sends out a powerful electromagnetic field.
Bad wiring or grounding can also induce EMI, which can make the electrical signal uneven and cause a buzzing sound. Radio frequency interference (RFI) is another form of EMI. This happens when radio signals mess with the normal operation of electronic devices which can cause electrical problems. These signals can come from cell phones, radio towers, or other wireless devices that are close by.
How It Affects Daily Life
Electrical buzzing sounds may not appear dangerous, but they can have a big effect on our daily life, especially if they are coming from a broken light switch. For one thing, these sounds can be really bothersome and get in the way of your concentration or sleep. You might still hear them even if you turn down the volume. The continual humming sound might also give you headaches and make you tired, which can make you less productive and hurt your health in general.
EMI can also mess up how electronic equipment works. If you hear these sounds all the time, they can mess with signals and stop gadgets from working normally. This can sometimes even cause the circuit to break or stop working for good.
How to Cut Down on EMF Exposure
Electronic equipment creates electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which are energy waves that you can’t see. You can’t totally escape EMFs, but there are things you can do to lower your overall exposure and lessen the effects on your health.
- Stay away from electronic gadgets to lessen the chance of buzzing or humming sounds. The farther away you are from a device, the less electrical hum you will be exposed to. This is really crucial for things like cell phones and microwaves that give off a lot of EMFs.
- Use headphones or a speakerphone. Holding a cell phone close to your head puts you in a lot of EMFs and electricity. To cut down on exposure, use the speakerphone or wired headphones instead.
- Limit screen time: It’s no secret that we spend a lot of time on our phones and computers these days. Limiting screen time, on the other hand, not only lowers EMF exposure but also has many other health benefits, such better sleep and less eye strain.
- Turn off gadgets when you’re not using them: Turning off devices when you’re not using them can greatly lower the amount of EMFs you come into contact with. This is really critical for electronic devices that give off a lot of radiation, like Wi-Fi routers and cordless phones, because it can mess up the circuit.
- Use covers or shields to protect your devices: If you have to use your laptop or tablet close to your body, think about getting a case or shield that will lower EMF exposure and the sound of the hum.
- Choose a wired connection: If you can, choose a wired connection over a wireless one. This means utilizing an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi to connect to the internet and connecting devices to speakers or other accessories with wires instead of Bluetooth.
- Keep your distance from power sources: Even when devices aren’t plugged in, outlets and extension cords give off EMFs. To avoid electrical difficulties, stay away from these sources as much as possible.
- Ground yourself: Some experts think that grounding, or directly connecting your body to the earth’s natural electric field, can help lessen the health effects of EMF exposure. You can accomplish this by going outside without shoes or by using grounding mats or patches inside.
- Put your phone in airplane mode: When you don’t need to be connected to cellular networks, putting your phone in airplane mode can lower your exposure to EMF and the chance of humming sounds. This is especially helpful when you’re sleeping because it makes sure your phone isn’t sending out radiation or making a humming sound while you sleep.
- Pick gadgets that don’t give off a lot of radiation. Some electronic devices, including hair dryers and electric blankets, give off a lot of EMFs. When you buy new gadgets, search for ones that don’t give off EMFs or have low radiation levels.
Effects on Health
Electrical buzzing sounds can be annoying and bad for our health at the same time. As we spoke about before, being around it all the time can give you headaches, make you tired, and make you less productive. These sounds can even keep you from sleeping, which can lead to chronic weariness and other health problems.
Also, being around a lot of electromagnetic radiation can have long-term repercussions on our health. Research has revealed that being exposed to anything for a long time can raise the risk of getting some cancers and other major health problems.
Hear Buzzing? Let Starnes Electric Make It Stop—Safely
At Starnes Electric LLC, we are a recognized electrician that can help you with any electrical problems you might have. We offer experienced solutions to buzzing-related issues, so you can be sure that your electrical system is safe and reliable. This includes fixing any possible breaker problems.
If you hear buzzing or humming sounds in your house or company, don’t hesitate to call us for professional evaluations and solutions, such as putting in a dimmer switch. We care most about your safety. When you think, “I hear electrical buzzing in my head,” just say no more!
