PSU buzzing when water heater is on

[xnivx01]

Hi, this may sound weird but, my power supply is buzzing when the water heater in my house is turned on.
It only happens to one of my PC, and not to the other two.
The buzzing sound isn't like the coil whine, it comes from where the power cord is plugged in the power supply and it sounds like the cord is loose but it isn't.
Once the water is running and the heater starts, the buzzing sound appears until the heater is off.

I've tried different power cords, different outlets and it's still the same.
I have a technician came over to check and the issue cannot be found since there's no problem with the circuits in my house, moreover, the water heater is on another circuit.

I'm not sure if this is unsafe but, it hasn't affected my PC since December.
I've also tried turning on every electrical appliances in my house (except the water heater) to see if it's an overload issue but it isn't.

Please help me on this issue, thanks.

 

[shivababbli]

can you please try using a different PSU

 

[xnivx01]

can you please try using a different PSU

There are two more PCs running in my house and there are no problems with them. Even with the PC not turned on but power outlet on, the back of the power supply (where the cord is plugged in) will buzz when the water heater is turned on.

 

[shivababbli]

maybe a problem with the psu output pins. better get another psu

 

[xnivx01]

maybe a problem with the psu output pins. better get another psu

It's a newly bought PSU for my new build in Dec. Maybe I should try to contact the manufacturer.

However what's bothering me is that it happens only when the water heater is turned on. I've tried turning all the air conditioners in my house on, washing machine, oven, microwave etc. together and there is no buzzing sound. Only when I turn on that water heater. It would be funny if I say this.

 

[shivababbli]

have you tried plugging it into other power point?
If yes and you have that problem then contact PSU manufacturer, or else it might be some internal wiring problem.

 

[xnivx01]

have you tried plugging it into other power point?
If yes and you have that problem then contact PSU manufacturer, or else it might be some internal wiring problem.

Yes as I've stated above. Different power outlets and different power cords.

 

[shivababbli]

better meet the manufacturer

 

[mwryder55]

Is it possible that the water heater is dropping the voltage in the house when it is on? We had a problem a number of years ago with the hard drives in our computers failing because of heavy equipment in the area turning on and affecting the power. Going to a UPS solved the problem for us. Maybe try plugging the computer into a UPS and see if that fixes the problem.

 

[Maarsch]

Just to check, the buzzing isn't there when the water heater turns on and your computer is not running, is that correct?

I had a vibration halfway across the room which, due to the way the alcove my computer is in is shaped, sounded like it came from the back of my computer.
My PSU was fine, my fans didn't spin loudly; it was the converter of a halogen lamp somewhere else somehow amplified.

I just want to make sure the water heater isn't somehow vibrating the wall it is hung from or something.
In my case I now know the buzzing was also there when my computer was off, but since I only sit in that alcove to do computer stuff I never noticed.

 

[xnivx01]

Is it possible that the water heater is dropping the voltage in the house when it is on? We had a problem a number of years ago with the hard drives in our computers failing because of heavy equipment in the area turning on and affecting the power. Going to a UPS solved the problem for us. Maybe try plugging the computer into a UPS and see if that fixes the problem.

Nope it isn't. My technician has checked everything, there's no voltage problem even when turning on all things at once.

Just to check, the buzzing isn't there when the water heater turns on and your computer is not running, is that correct?

I had a vibration halfway across the room which, due to the way the alcove my computer is in is shaped, sounded like it came from the back of my computer.
My PSU was fine, my fans didn't spin loudly; it was the converter of a halogen lamp somewhere else somehow amplified.

I just want to make sure the water heater isn't somehow vibrating the wall it is hung from or something.
In my case I now know the buzzing was also there when my computer was off, but since I only sit in that alcove to do computer stuff I never noticed.

Hmm if that's the case then why don't the other 2 PCs have the buzzing? And it only buzzes IF I turn on the power on the outlet. If the PC is off, and the power is off, there is no buzzing.

 

[mwryder55]

It took numerous technicians months to find the problem at our office, at great expense. I just suggested using a UPS unit as that would isolate the problem to either the house wiring or your computer.

 

[xnivx01]

It took numerous technicians months to find the problem at our office, at great expense. I just suggested using a UPS unit as that would isolate the problem to either the house wiring or your computer.

I will consider that, but a UPS is quite noisy. There's one in my relative's house connected to the outlets used for PC and it is 24/7 running and noisy.

 

[mwryder55]

Some UPS units have software that will notify you if the power sags or spikes. You could use this to see what the power looks like when your water heater turns on.
Most UPS units are quiet unless they are working. I have one under my desk and never notice any sound from it.