Buzzing from kitchen range

[duotwr]

Hi there

we've got an electric oven with a gas range on top. A couple of weeks ago a constant buzzing noise started from that general area of the kitchen. Oven and hob still working fine. As an experiment I switched off the circuit breaker for the oven, and the noise stopped, then restarted when I reconnected.

Anybody got any ideas about what it could be? No work has been done, nothing altered. Just seems to have started.

Thanks
Keith

 

[mattylad]

Have you inadvertently leant on the normally unused timer controls?

Has the wife misplaced her best friend?

Could be a loose connection where the electrical bits are connected?

 

[Diyisfun]

If its a mechanical timer as against an electronic timer then this could be making the noise.

 

[duotwr]

thanks for the replies...

Don't think it's to do with the timer - not that kind of buzzing. Has more of a chuntering aspect to it (how on earth do you put sounds into words?!)

Wife's best friend... - is here typing! Backups are safely stored elsewhere on a high shelf.

Loose connection possibly - although nothing has been touched to cause this - could it start unprompted?

The source of the noise is quite hard to locate, but is probably more towards the back of the range. It pre-dates us moving in, and I can't see where any connections are.

Any other thoughts?

Keith

Last minute thought - we do have a baby. It's possible she's pressed something on the timer bit that has caused this. But as I say, the noise isn't the type that would actually _be_ the alarm noise. Definitely a wrong noise. K.

 

[electronicsuk]

Another thought would be that the transformer that runs the clock/timer/relays/anything else inside the oven is starting to go. It could have physically worked its way loose which would lead to some 50Hz buzzing, or the laminations could be starting to vibrate as the transformer ages.

 

[JohnD]

so what sort of timer is it? A digital electronic one, or one with an electric motor and gears inside?

 

[duotwr]

Hi

JohnD - the timer on the front of the oven is a clock rather than a digital display, so there will be some kind of moving parts. That said, the clock hasn't worked in the time we've been in the flat (which may or may not be connected to this problem).

electronicsuk - thanks for the message, but that would mean it's something relatively unidentifiable for the moment? Do we wait for it to fail (in classic 2001 Space Odyssey stylee)?

Keit

 

[Diyisfun]

THe clock may not be working, but the motor / gears may be, that is what my previous post was trying to say. Electro mechanical timers can make a noise.

 

[JohnD]

it is quite common for the motor and gears in electromechanical clocks to buzz or hum, either with wear or because they are jammed or obstructed.

You would probably have to do some dismantling to get at the clock connections, though. On my Zanussi you get at the clock by lifting the top panel that the hob pipes come through. A new timer may be amazingly expensive

sorry too slow

 

[duotwr]

OK, thanks for your thoughts. If you'll excuse me on this, I'm not convinced the noise is coming from the clock area of the range (front right) it's almost more from the back of the range.

Is there any kind of power unit at the back, some kind of transformer or something (excuse my O level understanding of electricity) that could be making a noise? Definitely that kind of buzzing sound, rather than mechanical.

Thanks
Keith

 

[Diyisfun]

There could be some type of fan at the back which is controlled by t/stat & the t/stat has failed & the fan remains on. I think you will need to have a look.

 

[electronicsuk]

electronicsuk - thanks for the message, but that would mean it's something relatively unidentifiable for the moment? Do we wait for it to fail (in classic 2001 Space Odyssey stylee)?

Even if it were the transformer, it doesn't mean imminent failure. I think the only way you'll be able to diagnose this properly is by removing the oven, and trying to get the back cover off and locate the source of the noise. Of course, you'll have to be very careful, as there will be live parts with the cover removed, and you can't easily find the source of the noise without power!