Buzzing power strip

Thread Starter

electronewb

Joined Apr 24, 2012
260
I can hear a major buzz coming from a power strip that I have even with no load on it. What could be wrong with it and should I bother fixing it or just toss it out and buy a new one? And also is there any hazard to use that power strip?
 

RichardO

Joined May 4, 2013
2,270
It sounds real dangerous to me. I would pitch it.

But first, I would open it up to see what is going on. :)

(I am guessing that a couple of the contacts are lightly touching.)
 

wayneh

Joined Sep 9, 2010
17,498
Is this anything more than a power strip? I mean, surge suppressor, circuit breaker, etc.? A picture might help.

But yeah, I wouldn't use it until it was fixed. And I wouldn't fix it unless you feel comfortable doing that.

Don't do anything while it's plugged in.
 

GopherT

Joined Nov 23, 2012
8,009
It likely has a small SMPS inside to run the LED and any additional gadget. Something seems to be failing if it is loud. If it is just barely audible, it could just be a resonance with the mounting frame that is vibrating. The magnetic field can cause the metal around the SMPS to vibrate in the audible range.
 
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