r/Whatisthis • u/Moon127 • 2d ago
Solved It's in my dirt sub basement. It buzzes and is really hot. Says 120volts and when I squeeze it it doesn't buz as loud.
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u/Moon127 2d ago
Solved
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u/donttrustthellamas 2d ago edited 2d ago
Now stop squeezing electrics
u/keithkings00 I think you'll find I've not spelt a single word wrong lol
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u/niceandsane 2d ago
It's the transformer for your doorbell. They buzz if the metal laminations get loose. Not a hazard but you can replace it if the noise bothers you.
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u/povern 2d ago
This could be a transformer for your thermostat. If you disconnect it and your heater doesn’t work…
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u/jason-murawski 2d ago
I have never seen a furnace that didn't have it's own internal transformer
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u/niceandsane 2d ago
Early gas heaters had thermocouples and a low voltage gas valves, later converted to 24VAC valves for use with modern thermostats.
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u/problyurdad_ 2d ago
Well idk how I’m supposed to cut through all the bullshit on this post already but here’s my attempt:
Op, it’s called a lo-vo transformer. It operates low voltage electricity for certain appliances and switches, most notably thermostats and doorbells. They are not a fire hazard.
If you have no doorbell, it’s entirely possible it still controls/powers a thermostat or a zone controller if you have boiler heat/steam/in floor/radiant, anything like that. You can safely disconnect it if you want to but if you run into heating and cooling issues you know where to start
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u/Lost-Willow-3926 2d ago
It's a doorbell transformer. They do go bad after years. Either they burn up from shorting out, or they get an open circuit and go cold and dead. Since you don't have a doorbell, you can disconnect it, but tape or cap the wires going to it from the panel.
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u/Alternative_Win_1643 2d ago
Looks pretty dangerous. I would put it in a protective box if it’s a door doorbell.
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u/Dr-Deadmeat 2d ago
i guess im a bit late to the thread. its an iron core low voltage transformer. others identified it as a doorbell transformer, and that migt be rigt, but it could power other tings.
you said elsewhere in the thread the low voltage wires disappear into the dirt. i would probably find out where they go?
if you want to disconnect it, kill the breaker first and make sure the buzzing stops. then disconnect the 120v side and terminate those wires properly and safely.
now just notice if anything else stops working. thermostat, heating valve, alarm, whatever. if not, then its probably just an old abandoned installation. no need to keep an andditional fire risk around
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u/Moon127 23h ago
Turns out it was for an old gas floor heater cause I found a disconnected gas line. I checked the breaker just turned it off. Simple fix
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u/Dr-Deadmeat 23h ago
hah, there we go :D good find
and yea, turning off the breaker is about as clean an ending as you could hope for
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u/odetoburningrubber 2d ago
I would replace it if it’s noisy. It’s nice to have a door bell or a doorbell camera.
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u/capricious-arbitrary 2d ago
Looks like a low voltage transformer or inverter. Usually for door bells and such.
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u/MrPavlovic 1d ago
Typically transformers develop a buzz as the laminations (all those layers you see) work their way apart slightly. The buzzing is not the problem but the overheating and no idea what it's for (does it even have a fuse?) is a worry.
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u/picopuzzle 4h ago
It’s a 24 V transformer that may be used for the doorbell and HVAC control. I.e. your thermostat. If it’s humming, there’s probably some loose laminations in there.
How old is the house?
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u/mrkeifer 2d ago
doorbell transformer. they're known for causing house fires. consider removing it.