Does anyone know if the FCC has rules regarding AM interference from appliances? I just bought a new clothes washer and during certain parts of its wash cycles, it generates annoying noise on AM.
This happens on both battery and AC powered radios and both modern and antique radios from various years.
The manufacturer was contacted by the appliance store and basically brushed it off as being a problem in the radios.
Most of the information I found on Google for appliance noise indicates bad grounds or the need for a cap in various locations in the appliance.
Thanks.
That does not surprise me, if the washer has computer brain and it works as specified, they will take the stand that the problem is not with their product (when in fact it is). The sad part is when you open up the washer to install cap's at the various locations indicated by your web search, you now vold the factory warrenty.
You may have to return the washer and select a different band, which may or may not help.
David S
:Hi,
:
:Does anyone know if the FCC has rules regarding AM interference from appliances? I just bought a new clothes washer and during certain parts of its wash cycles, it generates annoying noise on AM.
:
:This happens on both battery and AC powered radios and both modern and antique radios from various years.
:
:The manufacturer was contacted by the appliance store and basically brushed it off as being a problem in the radios.
:
:Most of the information I found on Google for appliance noise indicates bad grounds or the need for a cap in various locations in the appliance.
:
:Thanks.
I contacted the manufacturer directly and am waiting for a response. Also, one of the service people for the appliance store is an antique radio guy. I'm going to talk to him for some ideas.
:Mike,
:
:That does not surprise me, if the washer has computer brain and it works as specified, they will take the stand that the problem is not with their product (when in fact it is). The sad part is when you open up the washer to install cap's at the various locations indicated by your web search, you now vold the factory warrenty.
:
:You may have to return the washer and select a different band, which may or may not help.
:
:David S
:
::Hi,
::
::Does anyone know if the FCC has rules regarding AM interference from appliances? I just bought a new clothes washer and during certain parts of its wash cycles, it generates annoying noise on AM.
::
::This happens on both battery and AC powered radios and both modern and antique radios from various years.
::
::The manufacturer was contacted by the appliance store and basically brushed it off as being a problem in the radios.
::
::Most of the information I found on Google for appliance noise indicates bad grounds or the need for a cap in various locations in the appliance.
::
::Thanks.
Why not put a filter on the line cord at the plug? Get a small metal box. Put an outlet on it. Put a line cord on it as well. Put a condenser between .05 and .1 MFD inside, across the wires, and see if it does any good. If not, try two condensers, one from each wire to ground. If that still doesn't work, you'll have to wind some chokes, which might get rather large, since a washing machine motor draws at least 6 amperes. The chokes should idealy be wound on ferrite forms, and you should use 14 gauge enameled wire. Each choke should have 50 turns on it. Good luck finding ferrite cores large enough. Probably the best bet for chokes would be to put them inside of the machine on the digital timer, which would, of course, void your warranty. You could use really small chokes, though, like the 100 uH chokes they sell at Radio Shack.
T.
A line filter, like Thomas suggested, should stop the noise. They have inductors and caps to filter line noise. You can build your own but they are available comercially.
Now the bad news... A lot of modern electronic devices cause interference. Don't think the FCC is watching for this anymore? The noise level has gone so high here from computers, lights etc a person can only listen to strong signals.
Norm
:Chew him out! Chew him out! Well, that's what I probably would have done to the salesman. It wouldn't have gotten any good results, though, other than making me feel good for a moment. Never hurts to write letters and such, though. I quite regularily write letters when I'm dissatisfied with a product, and sometimes when I'm really satisfied, too. Sometimes it gets amazing results.
:
:Why not put a filter on the line cord at the plug? Get a small metal box. Put an outlet on it. Put a line cord on it as well. Put a condenser between .05 and .1 MFD inside, across the wires, and see if it does any good. If not, try two condensers, one from each wire to ground. If that still doesn't work, you'll have to wind some chokes, which might get rather large, since a washing machine motor draws at least 6 amperes. The chokes should idealy be wound on ferrite forms, and you should use 14 gauge enameled wire. Each choke should have 50 turns on it. Good luck finding ferrite cores large enough. Probably the best bet for chokes would be to put them inside of the machine on the digital timer, which would, of course, void your warranty. You could use really small chokes, though, like the 100 uH chokes they sell at Radio Shack.
:
:T.
:Hi
:
: A line filter, like Thomas suggested, should stop the noise. They have inductors and caps to filter line noise. You can build your own but they are available comercially.
:
: Now the bad news... A lot of modern electronic devices cause interference. Don't think the FCC is watching for this anymore? The noise level has gone so high here from computers, lights etc a person can only listen to strong signals.
:
:Norm
:
::Chew him out! Chew him out! Well, that's what I probably would have done to the salesman. It wouldn't have gotten any good results, though, other than making me feel good for a moment. Never hurts to write letters and such, though. I quite regularily write letters when I'm dissatisfied with a product, and sometimes when I'm really satisfied, too. Sometimes it gets amazing results.
::
::Why not put a filter on the line cord at the plug? Get a small metal box. Put an outlet on it. Put a line cord on it as well. Put a condenser between .05 and .1 MFD inside, across the wires, and see if it does any good. If not, try two condensers, one from each wire to ground. If that still doesn't work, you'll have to wind some chokes, which might get rather large, since a washing machine motor draws at least 6 amperes. The chokes should idealy be wound on ferrite forms, and you should use 14 gauge enameled wire. Each choke should have 50 turns on it. Good luck finding ferrite cores large enough. Probably the best bet for chokes would be to put them inside of the machine on the digital timer, which would, of course, void your warranty. You could use really small chokes, though, like the 100 uH chokes they sell at Radio Shack.
::
::T.
Commercial Products Marketed in the USA
The FCC Rules and Regulations, Title 47, Part 15, Subpart B regulates "unintentional radio-frequency devices". Products regulated include any unintentional radiator (device or system) that generates and uses timing pulses at a rate in excess of 9000 pulses (cycles) per second and uses digital techniques. This includes almost every product that employs a microprocessor including workstations, personal computers, point-of-sale terminals, printers, modems, and many electronic games. It is illegal to sell or advertise for sale any products regulated under Part 15, Subpart B until their radiated and conducted emissions have been measured and found to be in compliance.
Most products regulated by Part 15, Subpart B fall into one of two categories. Class A devices are those that are marketed for use in a commercial, industrial or business environment. Class B devices are those that are marketed for use in the home. Class B limits are more stringent than Class A limits and the Class B certification process is administratively more rigorous than the Class A verification process. The radiated and conducted EMI test procedures are defined in the ANSI Standard C63.4. FCC Rules and Regulations, Part 15, only regulates radio frequency emissions. Currently there are no FCC regulations pertaining to product immunity to electromagnetic fields.
More info:
http://www.emclab.umr.edu/emcproc.html
marv
:The device may be required to adhere to FCC class "B"
:
:Commercial Products Marketed in the USA
:The FCC Rules and Regulations, Title 47, Part 15, Subpart B regulates "unintentional radio-frequency devices". Products regulated include any unintentional radiator (device or system) that generates and uses timing pulses at a rate in excess of 9000 pulses (cycles) per second and uses digital techniques. This includes almost every product that employs a microprocessor including workstations, personal computers, point-of-sale terminals, printers, modems, and many electronic games. It is illegal to sell or advertise for sale any products regulated under Part 15, Subpart B until their radiated and conducted emissions have been measured and found to be in compliance.
:
:Most products regulated by Part 15, Subpart B fall into one of two categories. Class A devices are those that are marketed for use in a commercial, industrial or business environment. Class B devices are those that are marketed for use in the home. Class B limits are more stringent than Class A limits and the Class B certification process is administratively more rigorous than the Class A verification process. The radiated and conducted EMI test procedures are defined in the ANSI Standard C63.4. FCC Rules and Regulations, Part 15, only regulates radio frequency emissions. Currently there are no FCC regulations pertaining to product immunity to electromagnetic fields.
:
:More info:
:http://www.emclab.umr.edu/emcproc.html
:
Mike I would be looking at ground connections at your receptacles and your grounding rod. If your grounding rod is located in a place where the ground is dry such as crawl space, wet it down. In my room near utility room with washer and dryer I have a computer, stereo equipment, guitar amp, four radios from 30's, and one from early 40's. Two things will cause interference, my old shredder and my digital camera. I know the brushes on the shredder motor are arching like crazy cause I took it apart. They are worn and I tried to increase the tension a bit and put it together. If your grounds are ok they should replace the washer something is wrong. Not pitching Sears, but that's why I buy from them, over 40 years and never a problem. Your utility company may do a free check on your electrical ground.
Bill VA