Audio dropout caused by Freezer?

fresh191 · 17-01-2012, 15:04

Hi all.
Bare with me as this is a confusing topic for me at the moment, some elements I know nothing about and am still learning, here goes:

We currently have a 6 way surge protector running a TV, Xbox 360, PS3, Receiver, Sub and Freezer. Now the freezer makes a noise an a semi-regular timescale, you know the clicking sound that freezers make, like a motor coming on/off?

When this freezer does this the audio will dropout when using the receiver during gameplay or a movie etc. when using a headset such as a Turtle Beach PX21 you here a click but the audio remains intact.

Now this is annoying but not to the point where I would like to toss the freezer into the street however I was in the next room where we have our main TV/gaming setup, again on a surge protector playing audio through a receiver and there it was again, the freezer does it's thing and the audio drops just for a second.

We live in a small flat and don't have space to put the freezer in the kitchen or any other room for that matter so I'm hoping someone knows of a way to stop this from happening, maybe some kind of fix for the freezer or another way of connecting it to mains without it affecting other devices.

Deacon1972 · 17-01-2012, 15:13

The only thing I have heard of for this problem is an interference suppressor which is fitted to the offending appliance i.e fridge, freezer or boiler.

fresh191 · 17-01-2012, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon1972

The only thing I have heard of for this problem is an interference suppressor which is fitted to the offending appliance i.e fridge, freezer or boiler.

An interference suppressor? Sounds like a weapon attachment

Thanks for the tip, I will ask Google about that.

Deacon1972 · 17-01-2012, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by fresh191

An interference suppressor? Sounds like a weapon attachment

Thanks for the tip, I will ask Google about that.

Just had a quick look myself, looks like they are better known as contact suppressors.

They only cost pennies - Maplins could be a good place to start or any good electrical shop.

Should look something like this.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/contact-suppressor-498

A diagram on how to fit them here......

http://www.russandrews.com/viewindex..._instructions&

If you don't want to take the fridge to bits, though it shouldn't be difficult, you can fit it to the plug, connect between the live and neutral pins.

Before attempting get some advice from a qualified electrician.

chrisjr · 17-01-2012, 17:25

Also it sounds like the Freezer is plugged into the extension lead that the TV etc are on in the same room. I would move it so that it is plugged directly into a wall socket. If nothing else that will get it on the "right" side of the suppression in the socket and may help a bit.

Suppression really needs to be done as close as possible to the source of the interference. In a fridge or freezer this will be the compressor and the control switching for the compressor. What is likely is that a relay or similar device is switching on and off and the contacts are arcing. This can generate a spike in the mains plus an airborne spike.

You can filter the mains spike with a plug in filter but the airborne one needs killing at source. Which may not be a DIY job. Both sorts of spike can get into the kit hanging off the mains. The airborne one is most likely to interfere with TV and radio signals.

17-01-2012, 15:04	#1
fresh191 Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 215	Audio dropout caused by Freezer? Hi all. Bare with me as this is a confusing topic for me at the moment, some elements I know nothing about and am still learning, here goes: We currently have a 6 way surge protector running a TV, Xbox 360, PS3, Receiver, Sub and Freezer. Now the freezer makes a noise an a semi-regular timescale, you know the clicking sound that freezers make, like a motor coming on/off? When this freezer does this the audio will dropout when using the receiver during gameplay or a movie etc. when using a headset such as a Turtle Beach PX21 you here a click but the audio remains intact. Now this is annoying but not to the point where I would like to toss the freezer into the street however I was in the next room where we have our main TV/gaming setup, again on a surge protector playing audio through a receiver and there it was again, the freezer does it's thing and the audio drops just for a second. We live in a small flat and don't have space to put the freezer in the kitchen or any other room for that matter so I'm hoping someone knows of a way to stop this from happening, maybe some kind of fix for the freezer or another way of connecting it to mains without it affecting other devices.

17-01-2012, 15:13	#2
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	The only thing I have heard of for this problem is an interference suppressor which is fitted to the offending appliance i.e fridge, freezer or boiler.

17-01-2012, 17:09	#3
fresh191 Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 215	Quote: Originally Posted by Deacon1972 The only thing I have heard of for this problem is an interference suppressor which is fitted to the offending appliance i.e fridge, freezer or boiler. An interference suppressor? Sounds like a weapon attachment Thanks for the tip, I will ask Google about that.

17-01-2012, 17:24	#4
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by fresh191 An interference suppressor? Sounds like a weapon attachment Thanks for the tip, I will ask Google about that. Just had a quick look myself, looks like they are better known as contact suppressors. They only cost pennies - Maplins could be a good place to start or any good electrical shop. Should look something like this. http://www.maplin.co.uk/contact-suppressor-498 A diagram on how to fit them here...... http://www.russandrews.com/viewindex..._instructions& If you don't want to take the fridge to bits, though it shouldn't be difficult, you can fit it to the plug, connect between the live and neutral pins. Before attempting get some advice from a qualified electrician.

17-01-2012, 17:25	#5
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Also it sounds like the Freezer is plugged into the extension lead that the TV etc are on in the same room. I would move it so that it is plugged directly into a wall socket. If nothing else that will get it on the "right" side of the suppression in the socket and may help a bit. Suppression really needs to be done as close as possible to the source of the interference. In a fridge or freezer this will be the compressor and the control switching for the compressor. What is likely is that a relay or similar device is switching on and off and the contacts are arcing. This can generate a spike in the mains plus an airborne spike. You can filter the mains spike with a plug in filter but the airborne one needs killing at source. Which may not be a DIY job. Both sorts of spike can get into the kit hanging off the mains. The airborne one is most likely to interfere with TV and radio signals.

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Audio dropout caused by Freezer?