We have just got a new freezer and it is on the same circuit as a radio. I strongly suspect that the freezer compressor is causing "static" on the radio. Is there a filter I can put on the plug to the freezer to reduce this?

kerryalan - 2021-08-22 10:10:00

What convinces you that the static is on the power circuit shared by the radio, as opposed to noise being picked up be the radio aerial?

Have you tried the radio on battery, or on another power circuit using an extension lead?

But yes, multiboxes can be bought with filters, I'd probably connect the radio to such a multibox to test.

Another suggestion is to ensure the radio has an aerial outside, away from the freezer.

If you're convinced the freezer is the cause, it's new, contact the shop and complain.

gyrogearloose - 2021-08-22 10:28:00

It's usually just a proximity thing, try moving the radio, see if it still does it

king1 - 2021-08-22 10:29:00

kerryalan wrote:

We have just got a new freezer and it is on the same circuit as a radio. I strongly suspect that the freezer compressor is causing "static" on the radio. Is there a filter I can put on the plug to the freezer to reduce this?

When you say new do you mean brand new or new to you?
Most modern appliances have at least some filtering allready.
Easy to test, listen to the interference then switch off the freezer for a sec. Does it go away?

ronaldo8 - 2021-08-22 17:25:00

I bought a portable digital radio. There is lots of interference, probably from computers. (My house is insulated with aluminium, and FM can't get in!)
And the batteries go flat in about a week.
So I have gone back to a 30 year old AM radio. The battery seems to last forever.

trade4us2 - 2021-08-22 21:00:00

kerryalan wrote:

We have just got a new freezer and it is on the same circuit as a radio. I strongly suspect that the freezer compressor is causing "static" on the radio. Is there a filter I can put on the plug to the freezer to reduce this?

Theres a huge range of RF filters available for just as large number of reasons.
A simple one is a split tube type that clamps around the cable (Often seen on VGA & some power cords)
Some electricians know how to deal with this & some don't have a clue

mrfxit - 2021-08-23 08:27:00

ronaldo8 wrote:

When you say new do you mean brand new or new to you?
Most modern appliances have at least some filtering allready.
Easy to test, listen to the interference then switch off the freezer for a sec. Does it go away?

Might need a double plug/ multi board to keep the radio running??
Yes it's generally easy to test that way.
Cheap appliances are often a bit weak on RF protection

mrfxit - 2021-08-23 08:29:00

Thanks for the info, a lockdown project.

kerryalan - 2021-08-23 10:04:00

Electric fences can cause clicking on the radio.

bryshaw - 2021-08-24 21:23:00

Back in the day before electric fences were invented I could tune handheld transistor radios into australian stations, specifically 2JJ. Dad bought a TV but there was a mountain between him and the transmitter, no repeaters, and because there was no signal in the spectrum we could tune into australian television stations but the picture quality was terrible, he got a blue mask for the screen which made it less offensive.

Now, if the noise stops or starts around dusk or dawn I'd be suspecting solar panels.

My partner has an aromatic oil diffuser with a 24 volt wall wart - turning this on causes radio static. If we want them on at the same time we use the bluetooth source rather than radio. Mostly I listen to Magic FM streaming website.

Edited by gyrogearloose at 10:04 pm, Tue 24 Aug

gyrogearloose - 2021-08-24 22:02:00

Check your power earth connection to your house if a older house . Had a case of phone noise on a customers line in my telecom fault days and proved to be a broken earth wire to ground outside .

dutch9 - 2021-09-01 10:46:00