Interference suppression.

[leavemetogetonwithit]

Quite often when one of these things has exploded, I by-pass it for a week or so until a new part arrives. Am I breaking the law? Will anyone notice? How far from an unsuppressed w/mc, dw, td would interference be detectable? Are digital TV and radio signals affected?
No-one has mentioned any problems to me yet.
Also, I have seen it implied on here that these things might prevent damage to modules by voltage spikes etc.. Is this true?
Mike.

[allan73]

Re: Interference suppression.

I’ve also bypassed mains filters in the past for short periods of time never had a problem. 8)

[Martin]

Re: Interference suppression.

leavemetogetonwithit wrote:Quite often when one of these things has exploded, I by-pass it for a week or so until a new part arrives. Am I breaking the law?

Yes & No, First the no…..The machine was manufactured to an applied standard and approved for sale by the the EC and given an official stamp of approval, IPC rating etc etc….beyond the point of sale the appliance has no further restrictions or regulations placed upon it. However, here comes the yes bit, if it has be ‘modified’ since, as in this instance, and issues brought to bear upon the person or persons involved. In that modified it in such a way as it (for example) electrocuted someone, then the full might of the law would come to bear upon you in no short order. Even if, (again an example) you got the customer to sign that you have carried out this ‘tempory alteration to the appliances safety rating’. That fact would hold no water at all in a court of law. “Officer, cuff him!”

leavemetogetonwithit wrote:Also, I have seen it implied on here that these things might prevent damage to modules by voltage spikes etc..

Outside of their rating then NO!

[clivejameson]

Re: Interference suppression.

Don’t forget that the suppressor is there to stop the equipment feeding RF stuff back up the mains supply as well as stopping anything coming in…but anything that is susceptible to interference (such as computers, telly’s, radio etc) will have it’s own suppressor too 😉

[leavemetogetonwithit]

Re: Interference suppression.

clivejameson wrote: to stop the equipment feeding RF stuff back up the mains supply

Ah yes. I did forget that. I was thinking it worked like a suppressor on a car and inhibited radio waves from e.g. the brushes sparking or switches switching. It doesn’t do that? (My knowledge of radio waves is approximately nil.)
Mike.

[clivejameson]

Re: Interference suppression.

I would imagine in the case of a washing machine for example that the cabinet itself would shield a lot of air born transmissions from causing problems to equipment that receives it?

I was once called to look at a microwave that the owners thought might be leaking because of interference on the telly whenever it was running…it turned out to be because the aerial run for the telly went directly behind the microwave cabinet on the worktop!

[leavemetogetonwithit]

Re: Interference suppression.

I’m thinking the best way to find out would be to take a small portable radio with me. Added advantage of being able to listen to radio 4 instead of the rubbish some people have blaring in their kitchens. 😀
I know that if I set my own radio (analogue) close to my computer, I sometimes get a little bit of interference.
Really would like to know if digital signals are also affected.
Mike.

[Phidom]

Re: Interference suppression.

Why not just carry a universal mains filter with you when going to any likely jobs i.e. machine dead, burning smells, went off with a bang etc etc.?

[leavemetogetonwithit]

Re: Interference suppression.

I usually do just that, but still occasionally get caught out!
Mike.

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