Any electricians in the house?

disjecta

disjecta

Lucky Duck
So I recently built a house and I've noticed that there is an undesirable flicker in both my studio monitor and my plasma screen. I'm 99% sure it has to do with the electrical current. When I was using my laptop to edit, the flicker would disappear once I unplugged the laptop and let it run on batteries. I have since upgraded to a desktop computer so that's not an option. The flickering effect is very mild but still annoying.

When I play DVDs on the plasma, the flicker is not there so I've kind of narrowed it down to my computer.

Does anyone know of a gadget thingy that could neutralize the effect of the current and give me a clearer picture on my TVs?
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

I don't know for sure, but a UPS might help. It will still draw current, but it having circuitry to balance the load by providing current from its internal battery, it might help...

I used to have a similar problem in my old house, only when my laser printer was printing, though. It turned out I was way too close to the max. load (10 AMP), with all the computer stuff, lights, etc., turned on.
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

I strongly doubt that yr electrical current line would cause such problems, unless you run at very low undervoltages (-20% ) Is this a problem while receiving TV stations? Does the flicker lower at lower brightness settings? Do you see this all the time?
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

No, TV stations are not affected. It seems to be exclusive to when I am editing and using the TVs as monitors for that. DVDs play perfectly also...
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

“No, TV stations are not affected. It seems to be exclusive to when I am editing and using the TVs as monitors for that. DVDs play perfectly also...”

But are ALL devices (Video, Audio, PC, etc) connect to the same AC outlet? It can still be a grounding issue if not.

I would have to go with “soarprod” Phil on this one sounds like a grounding issue. Are all you’re devices connected on the same ground circuit? I’ve seen 2 AC outlets in one room that was wiring on a different breaker and ground circuit if your using more that one AC outlet.

Also seen power bars that caused picture problems. As a test I would get a wall plug or power bar that doesn’t have any filters, Home Depot has power bars for drills and saws very cheap power bar NOT a TV or PC power bar they have filters. The reason why I recommend a non-filtered power bar during this test is that filters pick up “RF” or Radio Frequencies from pagers, cell phones, cordless phones, wireless networks, etc. Then connect ALL the device to this one non-filtered power bar and if your problem changes. Also while at Home Depot and get a “cheap” AC outlet tester its small device with 3 LEDs that plugs in the AC outlet on it that will tell you if the AC and/or Ground Wiring is correct.
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

Is all the equipment running from the same circuit? IE - All plug-ins in one room running from single breaker. If so, try running PC from another part of the house via an extension cord. If this resolves it, you are drawing too much juice from a single source. Also it might have to do with video noise because of the power plant in your PC. I have no plasma but I have noticed noise if computer is too close to TV.

EDIT: angelo913 posted at the same time :)
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

Okay, guys...thanks I'll do some testing and see what I come up with.
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

typically when wiring a house all breakers in the same room are hooked to the same breaker, and often the outlets on the oposite side of the wall, you might try running from a plug in the kitchen or laundry room. they are usually running a stronger current and hooked individually to a breaker.(in new houses)
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

See if the problem dissappears when you disconnect the TV Antenna in on the plasma...
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

if you unplugged the laptop and the flicker disapeared, then there is your problem is likely to be limited to your A/C power or your laptop.

The guys here are kinda on the right track with the grounding issue, but it sounds like a phasing issue to me. If your monitor and PC are plugged into different circuits on different legs, you will be pulling power to two devices that are on different cycles, making them out of sync at the electron level.

Best thing to do is to unplug as many peripherals as possible and plug just the computer/monitor and television into the same outlet. I suspect this will cure your problem.

Often times people will make the mistake of putting their major items on the same circuit, say their PC, monitor and television, but then will put a printer or scanner on a secondary outlet. Essentially, if it's connected to any device in your chain, it has the potential to introduce noise in your audio and video. This problem is more often encountered in pro audio, as you can immediately hear the problem, but it certainly happens in video as well.

Check and see if the problem continues when all the units are plugged into the same circuit/outlet.
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

Hey guys, thanks for the continued help. I haven't had a chance to put any of these ideas into motion yet but when I do, I'll let you know.
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

Wait, all these people are charletains! Have you oriented your tinfoil hat in the proper north/south direction???

;D

I'm kidding. Sounds like an overload or grounding issue to me. Good luck with that. Further testing will reveal all.
 
Re: Any electricians in the house?

Woah, you didn't say the hat was out of alignment. THat's a completely different problem...not to mention that you seem to be a duck and I don't know how you bought a computer...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top