There are two possibilities. First, the spinning part of the motor isn’t smooth, so as it turns it beats on the air, making a thrum. Second, because the motors are driven by AC running through wire cores wrapped around metal frames, there are usually enough loose bits to make a 60 (or 50) cycle hum. If the noise is constant regardless of motor speed it’s AC hum, if it increases in volume and frequency as the motor spins up its the thrum.
Latest Answers