Breaker Panel Buzzing

[lallenw]

Anyone have this issue…

Buzzing/sizzling from subpanel while the Rivian is charging. I have charged multiple EV’s on two circuits with no issues. One Clipper Creek on a NEME 14-50 and a Tesla wall connector on a separate circuit. I have charged a Model 3/Y/Bolt/Plug in Hybid regularly between both chargers with and without adapters. I have tried the Rivian on both chargers, and also tried plugging the Rivian mobile connector into the NEMA 14-50. There is a buzz on both circuits and all 3 chargers. All cars tested are pulling the same amperage. Tried reducing the rivian amperage, one breaker was replaced as an initial precaution and all connections checked. No corrosion or anything abnormal in the 2 year old panel.

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[HighVoltOverland]

the buzzing sound you hear is somewhat normal and is produced by delivering a heavy AC current at 60 Hertz... the buzzing is at 60Hz. I can hear it when I'm charging my Rivian, Tesla and i3 when they are pulling 32 amps @ 240V using the Tesla EVSE or the JuiceBox EVSE as they share the same breaker. As long as the breaker isn't getting hot (somewhat warm is normal during a prolonged charge) you should be fine. If it's really objectionable.. reduce the current your Rivian draws to 32amps.

 

[lallenw]

What’s causing my concern is that there is no sound at all when the Tesla or Bolt are charging at the same rate (32A), it’s only when the Rivian is charging. I thought it was the breaker going bad or a loose connection initially, but it persisted after replacing the breaker and checking the wiring. That’s when I tried the Rivian on a different charger and circuit, and then with the mobile charger, same buzzing. Even reducing the Rivian charge rate well below 32A resulted in buzzing when it was virtually the only load that was on in the whole house. Why would only fhe Rivian result in this, but not the other EV’s?

 

[JackRussellRacing]

For our first EV (a Bolt), the same thing happened in our panel. Wiggling the breaker switch stopped the buzzing. Electrician replaced the switch and the problem has never reappeared (for either the Bolt or the R1T charging through our Grizzl-E.

Even though the breaker didn't trip, the switch was indeed faulty. Call an electrician.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Yes call electrician to inspect it. The possible causes are

-loose connection
-faulty breaker

some level of noise can be normal. If you have an IR thermometer check the temp of the breaker.

 

[ttphhi]

Yes call electrician to inspect it. The possible causes are

-loose connection
-faulty breaker

some level of noise can be normal. If you have an IR thermometer check the temp of the breaker.

Yup. Breaker might not be "faulty" though. I used the same circuit for multiple EV's EVSE's over the past 8 years with no issues. Installed a dedicated Emporia EVSE and the breaker started buzzing. Breaker was also warm to the touch. Swapped it out with a new switch and it's now quiet and not as warm. The switch I removed was original to the house so over 25 years old so good idea to change anyway.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

As folks have noted, this is not normal. The fix is pretty straightforward, usually swapping out the breaker. Not too expensive…

 

[SwampNut]

If you happen to have a contactless thermometer, measure it. Breakers DO wear out, and get hot, and then arc.

 

[lallenw]

As folks have noted, this is not normal. The fix is pretty straightforward, usually swapping out the breaker. Not too expensive…

Breakers swapped, same issue.
Different circuit and charger, same issue.
No unusual heat during 6 hour charging session.

Different vehicle, no issue.

Will see if the electrician can do additional troubleshooting.

 

[NY_Rob]

Some 60 cycle hum from the breaker is normal, buzzing isn't. Some slight breaker temperature elevation above ambient temp is normal, getting very warm/hot isn't.

A "sizzling" sound from the breaker is cause for immediate concern!

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Breakers swapped, same issue.
Different circuit and charger, same issue.
No unusual heat during 6 hour charging session.

Different vehicle, no issue.

Will see if the electrician can do additional troubleshooting.

Ok - you win for curious issue of the week ?

 

[beatle]

Another (long) thread on here had a member with a buzzing panel. Like you, it was only with his Rivian and not his Tesla. Not sure what ever came of it as the conversation just kind of stopped, but there were other issues as well:

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...y-tesla-wall-charger.30201/page-5#post-585098

 

[lallenw]

That other thread is interesting, I hope it’s not the same issue, but the buzzing sounds similar.

The electrician checked the wiring and noted no issues. The buzzing can actually be heard from all the breakers in the main panel and sub panel. Tried plugging it into a solid 120 volt outlet on a 20A circuit and the buzzing is even louder.

Fairly confident this is something related to the vehicle since there are no issues running any other load, combination of loads, or EV’s. Going to try to find another house to test with. Will see what Rivian service says- it seems like this is not something other owners are experiencing.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Some 60 cycle hum from the breaker is normal, buzzing isn't. Some slight breaker temperature elevation above ambient temp is normal, getting very warm/hot isn't.

A "sizzling" sound from the breaker is cause for immediate concern!

Or if your breaker box decides to take up smoking with little notice. Definitely not the place you want to hear sizzling. ?

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