Makes a zapping noise when you turn on the electronic air cleaner

Intuitively, I glean it zaps when you turn it on only if you are a bug. Zapping is caused by the bug encountering the zapper. Otherwise, it would zap you even if you were not a big bug, simply because you were in close proximity.

It sounds like static electricity being generated through the filters. I suggest you change the filters and see what happens!

The air intake filter probably needs cleaning or replacing. If it needs replacing, you will have to buy that from your local Oreck dealer.

It is normal to hear occasional snapping from your Electronic Air Cleaner. This occurs when larger particles are caught by the ionizer wires. Continuous snapping is not normal however, and should be investigated as outlined below: Please note that the metal electronic cells may have some sharp edges; use care when handling the cells. Wear gloves to protect your hands from being cut if needed. Remove both electronic cells. Make sure that there is no hair, dirt, sand or any debris on the bottom inside the Electronic air cleaner. If there is, remove what you can by hand. If a lot of debris is left in bottom of the Air Cleaner, you may want to use a vacuum attachment to see if you can vacuum up what you can. Do not vacuum the Pre-filter or Post filter this may damage it. Close the access door, and then turn on the Electronic Air Cleaner and the system fan. If the snapping continues with the cells removed, contact your heating and cooling contractor for service on the unit and turn off the Electronic Air Cleaner’s power. If snapping does not continue, make sure the electronic cells are clean, dry and properly installed. Inspect the electronic cells for bent collector plates, broken wires between the plates, dirt on the insulators, and damaged collector contact tabs located on the top of the cells. Make sure the pre-filters are in good condition and are in the cabinet slot farthest from the furnace (The order of the Electronic Air Cleaner Filters are from the return duct to the furnace is: Pre-Filter, electronic cell, and then Post filter, if your Electronic Air Cleaner has one). If the snapping persists and you are unable to locate any physical cause, please contact your heating and cooling contractor for service on the unit and turn off power to the Electronic Air Cleaner.

Continuous snapping is not normal .Remove both electronic cells. Make sure that there is no hair, dirt, sand or any debris on the bottom inside the Electronic air cleaner. If there is, remove what you can by hand. If a lot of debris is left in bottom of the Air Cleaner, you may want to use a vacuum attachment to see if you can vacuum up what you can.

This is normal....when dust passes through this filter it is "Zapped" that's how the electronic air filter works

sounds like it is working. You could replace the cells and prefilters with a disposable box filter that fits.

Check the cells carefully - somewhere two of the thin metal plates have gotten too close together

the filters are damp, causing the arcing. make sure you remove them and dry them before you place them back in

The presence of “white dust” is actually an indicator that your Electronic Air Cleaner is working properly. The Electronic Air Cleaner can only filter the particles that are passing through your system’s duct work. The staining particulate is generally lighter, and more able to be drawn through the return registers in your home, leaving the heavier, non-staining particulate behind. This heavier, non-staining particulate settles out of the air and is left behind on your furniture: because it is more visible, it may appear as though there is actually more dust in your home than there was prior to installing the air cleaner. To ensure that more particulate is able to reach the Electronic Air Cleaner to be filtered, you should make sure that the return registers are clean and not blocked by furniture.