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Home > Archive > Electrical Engineering > September 2007 > Fridge causes spikes that harm equipment
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| Author |
Fridge causes spikes that harm equipment
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| xuyy9@yahoo.com 2007-09-22, 1:25 pm |
| Hi all,
We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've
discovered that it's causing power spikes especially when
it clicks on. Sometimes these spikes continue for some time.
These spikes hit any equipment that's in the kitchen and using
different outlets. It's an old house, so my question is,
is this a fire hazard? And is this indicative of a fridge that's
defective or could it just be the old wiring? These spikes
cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
(or buildings) or on battery power.
Thanks.
| |
| Salmon Egg 2007-09-22, 1:25 pm |
| On 9/22/07 10:06 AM, in article
1190480814.913834.47470@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com, "xuyy9@yahoo.com"
<xuyy9@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've
> discovered that it's causing power spikes especially when
> it clicks on. Sometimes these spikes continue for some time.
> These spikes hit any equipment that's in the kitchen and using
> different outlets. It's an old house, so my question is,
> is this a fire hazard? And is this indicative of a fridge that's
> defective or could it just be the old wiring? These spikes
> cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
> happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
> (or buildings) or on battery power.
>
> Thanks.
>
Usually, I would expect spikes when the power goes OFF--inductive spikes you
know. Try using a surge protector for your fridge. It should keep spikes
from going out as well as keep spikes from hitting the fridge.
Bill
--
Support the troops. Impeach Bush. Oh, I forgot about Cheney.
| |
| Charles Perry 2007-09-22, 1:25 pm |
|
<xuyy9@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1190480814.913834.47470@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've
> discovered that it's causing power spikes especially when
> it clicks on. Sometimes these spikes continue for some time.
> These spikes hit any equipment that's in the kitchen and using
> different outlets. It's an old house, so my question is,
> is this a fire hazard? And is this indicative of a fridge that's
> defective or could it just be the old wiring? These spikes
> cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
> happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
> (or buildings) or on battery power.
>
> Thanks.
>
I would suggest you refer to IEEE 1159. You can then chose the appropriate
term for what is happening. That will help people in this group answer your
question.
The fridge probably is creating voltage sags, not "spikes", when it turns
on.
Charles Perry P.E.
| |
| Eeyore 2007-09-22, 5:25 pm |
|
xuyy9@yahoo.com wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've
> discovered that it's causing power spikes especially when
> it clicks on. Sometimes these spikes continue for some time.
> These spikes hit any equipment that's in the kitchen and using
> different outlets. It's an old house, so my question is,
> is this a fire hazard?
It certainly shouldn't be but ......
> And is this indicative of a fridge that's
> defective or could it just be the old wiring? These spikes
> cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
> happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
> (or buildings) or on battery power.
If you get a different result in othe rooms in the house, it sounds awfully like
your wiring is suspect. You ought to get an electrician to inspect it.
Graham
| |
|
| "Eeyore" <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:46F571C5.D23EFBEA@hotmail.com...
>
>
> xuyy9@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
> It certainly shouldn't be but ......
>
>
> If you get a different result in othe rooms in the house, it sounds awfully
> like
> your wiring is suspect. You ought to get an electrician to inspect it.
>
> Graham
>
I agree that the OP's problem is likely to be a wiring problem. However, if
it's causing voltage sags or momentary dropouts, I'd be inspecting the outlet
that the fridge is connected to for loose connections. And I'd also be
suspicious of the circuit breaker or the fuse in the distribution box (or the
connections to them) that's feeding the kitchen. The fact that it isn't
affecting any other circuits in the house seems to put the blame on the kitchen
circuit.
Of course, it *could* be the fridge, but if that were the case, it would likely
be pulling down the voltage in other circuits as well.
If you're not comfortable with repairing electrical fixtures, then it's best
that you call a qualified electrician to make the repairs.
As to whether it's a fire hazard... any time you have a loose or intermittent
connection in a house wiring fixture, it's a fire hazard. A loose connection
constitutes a high resistance in the circuit. The current through the
resistance causes heat to build up, hence, the fire hazard. The heat might not
be bad now, but if allowed to continue, it will be a major problem in the
future.
--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just substitute the appropriate characters in the
address)
"In theory, there isn't any difference between theory and practice. In
practice, there is." - Yogi Berra
| |
| **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY** 2007-09-22, 5:25 pm |
| Check all of the outlets on the affected circuit for loose wiring.
Specifically look out for outlets that are "back stabbed". this means
that the installer pushed the wires into friction holes (provided for
that purpose) in the back of the outlets instead of looping the wires
around the connecting screws on the sides of the outlets. The option to
"back stab" is controversial and in my experience, I have seen as a
result, loose and severely overheated wiring in a 27 year old house.
While you are at it, make sure any associated splice wire nuts are
secure. If this is unfamiliar territory for you, hire a licensed
electrician IMMEDIATELY.
xuyy9@yahoo.com wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've
>discovered that it's causing power spikes especially when
>it clicks on. Sometimes these spikes continue for some time.
>These spikes hit any equipment that's in the kitchen and using
>different outlets. It's an old house, so my question is,
>is this a fire hazard? And is this indicative of a fridge that's
>defective or could it just be the old wiring? These spikes
>cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
>happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
>(or buildings) or on battery power.
>
>Thanks.
>
>
>
--
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©
"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason."
"Follow The Money" ;-P
| |
| CWatters 2007-09-22, 5:25 pm |
|
<xuyy9@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1190480814.913834.47470@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've
> discovered that it's causing power spikes especially when
> it clicks on. Sometimes these spikes continue for some time.
> These spikes hit any equipment that's in the kitchen and using
> different outlets. It's an old house, so my question is,
> is this a fire hazard? And is this indicative of a fridge that's
> defective or could it just be the old wiring? These spikes
> cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
> happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
> (or buildings) or on battery power.
>
> Thanks.
>
I think I'd have the wiring checked out. Is it so old that there might not
even be an earth system?
| |
| Charles 2007-09-22, 5:25 pm |
|
<xuyy9@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1190480814.913834.47470@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've
> discovered that it's causing power spikes especially when
> it clicks on.
When it turns on, the compressor starts with a rather large current surge
which will cause the line voltage to droop ... the opposite of a surge. The
circuit that the fridge is on might have marginal capacity for current. It
might have high series resistance due to a bad connection or a long run of
#14 wire. Worth looking into.
> Sometimes these spikes continue for some time.
> These spikes hit any equipment that's in the kitchen and using
> different outlets. It's an old house, so my question is,
> is this a fire hazard?
Probably not, but worth looking into.
> And is this indicative of a fridge that's
> defective or could it just be the old wiring?
Is the fridge working as expected, generally speaking?
> These spikes
> cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
> happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
> (or buildings) or on battery power.
The laptop flicker is perhaps an indication of a momentary voltage sag when
the fridge starts up and draws a rather large surge current ... which is
normal.
| |
| beaverhunter1962@gmail.com 2007-09-22, 5:25 pm |
| On Sep 22, 1:06 pm, xu...@yahoo.com wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've
> discovered that it's causing power spikes especially when
> it clicks on. Sometimes these spikes continue for some time.
> These spikes hit any equipment that's in the kitchen and using
> different outlets. It's an old house, so my question is,
> is this a fire hazard? And is this indicative of a fridge that's
> defective or could it just be the old wiring? These spikes
> cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
> happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
> (or buildings) or on battery power.
>
> Thanks.
I HAVE A UNIVERSAL CERTIFICATION IN REFIRGERATION AND AIR
CONDITIONING, THE REASON THIS IS ONLY HAPPENING IN YOUR KITCHEN IS
BECAUSE THOSE OUTLETS ARE WIRED IN SERIES AND ARE ON A DIFFERENT
BREAKER/FUSE THEN THE OUTLETS IN OTHER ROOMS, IF THIS IS OCCURING WHEN
THE REFRIGERATOR "TURNS ON" IT IS MOST LIKELY CAUSE BY THE COMPRESSOR.
80% OF REFRIGERATION PROBLEMS ARE ELECTRICAL, IT MAY BE EXCESSIVE
CURRENT DRAW IF IN FACT IT IS CAUSING THE LAP TOP SCREEN TO FLICKER,
WHICH SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THE LAP TOP ISNT GETTING SUFFICIENT CURRENT
BECAUSE THE REFRIGERATOR IS PULLING TO MUCH, YOU MAY HAVE TO MANY
THINGS RUNNING OR YOUR BREAKER ISNT LARGE ENOUGH, ALL BREAKERS SHOULD
ONLY RUN 80% LOAD OF THERE RATING (20 AMP BREAKER SHOULD ONLY HAVE 16
AMP DRAW DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE OTHER 4 AMP IS FOR A START UP
DRAW, IF YOUR PULLING MORE THEN THE BREAKER RATING IT WOULD POP THE
BREAKER) YOU NEED TO CALL A SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO CHECK YOUR
COMPRESSOR ON THE REFRIGERATOR.. IF IN FACT THIS IS ONLY OCCURING WHEN
IT "TURNS ON" ..THIS IS ABOUT ALL THE ADVICE I CAN OFFER WITHOUT BEING
ABLE TO PUT MY METER ON THE COMPRESSOR, CK. YOU DATA TAG ON THE
COMPRESSOR TO SEE WHAT THE SPECS ARE AND HAVE SOME ONE WHO IS
CERTIFIED CHECK THE START, RUN AND COMMON ON THE COMPRESSOR AND SEE IF
IT MATCHES THE SPECS ON THE DATA TAG
| |
| Charles Perry 2007-09-22, 8:25 pm |
|
<beaverhunter1962@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1190499369.353315.25130@50g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
> On Sep 22, 1:06 pm, xu...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> I HAVE A UNIVERSAL CERTIFICATION IN REFIRGERATION AND AIR
> CONDITIONING,
<snip>
Evidently your training did not include anything about the proper use of the
"Caps Lock" key.
Charles Perry P.E.
| |
| Charles 2007-09-22, 8:25 pm |
|
"Charles Perry" <pipesandtobacco@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5lll55F8rjq3U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> <beaverhunter1962@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1190499369.353315.25130@50g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
> <snip>
> Evidently your training did not include anything about the proper use of
> the "Caps Lock" key.
Or, the difference between series and parallel.
| |
| Stuart 2007-09-22, 8:25 pm |
| In article <1190480814.913834.47470@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com>,
<xuyy9@yahoo.com> wrote:
> These spikes
> cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
> happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
> (or buildings) or on battery power.
Sorry, can you clarify.
Are you saying the problem occurs when your laptop is connected to an
outlet in the kitchen but not when it's elsewhere or on battery power, or
are you saying that it doesn't happen to your laptop, regardless of which
outlet it is connected to, if the fridge is connected to an outlet in
another room.
Modern fridges /should/ be fitted with suppressors across the thermostat
to prevent spikes occuring.
--
Stuart Winsor
From is valid but subject to change without notice if it gets spammed.
For Barn dances and folk evenings in the Coventry and Warwickshire area
See: http://www.barndance.org.uk
| |
| Stuart 2007-09-22, 8:25 pm |
| In article <5lll55F8rjq3U1@mid.individual.net>,
Charles Perry <pipesandtobacco@hotmail.com> wrote:
> <beaverhunter1962@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1190499369.353315.25130@50g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
> <snip>
> Evidently your training did not include anything about the proper use of the
> "Caps Lock" key.
Quite so.
I also think it would have quite interesting effects if all the outlets were
wired up in "series" as he claims :-)
--
Stuart Winsor
From is valid but subject to change without notice if it gets spammed.
For Barn dances and folk evenings in the Coventry and Warwickshire area
See: http://www.barndance.org.uk
| |
| Rheilly Phoull 2007-09-22, 8:25 pm |
|
"Charles Perry" <pipesandtobacco@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5lll55F8rjq3U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> <beaverhunter1962@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1190499369.353315.25130@50g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
> <snip>
> Evidently your training did not include anything about the proper use of
> the "Caps Lock" key.
>
> Charles Perry P.E.
>
>
Hmmm, amongst many other things apparently :-)
--
Cheers .......... Rheilly P
| |
| Salmon Egg 2007-09-23, 3:25 am |
| FWIW, I once complained bitterly to my power company that they were
generating noise that was preventing me from getting the best low signal
performance from my short wave receiver. The noise was synchronized to the
line voltage. They could find no problem. This was decades ago.
I kept on investigating myself. Finally. to my chagrin, I found out that the
noise was being generated by the butter warmer in my refrigerator. To keep
the butter from freezing hard as a rock, there was a resistor controlled by
a thermostat that would raise temperature in that compartment a bit. The
thermostat was noting fancy at all so that the slightest vibration would
make and break the circuit.
To solve the problem, I just went along with hard butter by disconnecting
that circuit. I never did tell the power company that I had tracked down my
problem.
Bill
| |
| xuyy9@yahoo.com 2007-09-23, 5:25 pm |
|
> I agree that the OP's problem is likely to be a wiring problem. However, if
> it's causing voltage sags or momentary dropouts, I'd be inspecting the outlet
> that the fridge is connected to for loose connections. And I'd also be
> suspicious of the circuit breaker or the fuse in the distribution box (or the
> connections to them) that's feeding the kitchen. The fact that it isn't
> affecting any other circuits in the house seems to put the blame on the kitchen
> circuit.
I have to correct myself: I've now detected it upstairs as well,
and that circuit uses a different circuit breaker.
| |
| ChairmanOfTheBored 2007-09-23, 5:25 pm |
| On Sat, 22 Sep 2007 10:06:54 -0700, xuyy9@yahoo.com wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've
>discovered that it's causing power spikes especially when
>it clicks on. Sometimes these spikes continue for some time.
>These spikes hit any equipment that's in the kitchen and using
>different outlets. It's an old house, so my question is,
>is this a fire hazard? And is this indicative of a fridge that's
>defective or could it just be the old wiring? These spikes
>cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
>happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
>(or buildings) or on battery power.
>
>Thanks.
Check your line voltage. You may be at the extreme "end of line" of a
segment, and have a voltage that is already at the bottom of the
acceptable range. When your fridge kicks on, it sags the entire house's
line voltage to brown out levels, causing many items to barf.
| |
| ChairmanOfTheBored 2007-09-23, 5:25 pm |
| On Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:16:09 -0000, "beaverhunter1962@gmail.com"
<beaverhunter1962@gmail.com> wrote:
>I HAVE A UNIVERSAL CERTIFICATION IN...
Being an ALL CAPS Usenet RETARD!
You're a Fucking Usenet Idiot.
| |
| ChairmanOfTheBored 2007-09-23, 5:25 pm |
| On Sat, 22 Sep 2007 19:30:13 -0400, "Charles"
<charlesschuler@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>"Charles Perry" <pipesandtobacco@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:5lll55F8rjq3U1@mid.individual.net...
>
>Or, the difference between series and parallel.
>
Hahahaha... good catch!
| |
| ChairmanOfTheBored 2007-09-23, 5:25 pm |
| On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:36:39 +0100, Stuart <SW_NOSPAM@dsl.pipex.com>
wrote:
>In article <5lll55F8rjq3U1@mid.individual.net>,
> Charles Perry <pipesandtobacco@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>Quite so.
>
>I also think it would have quite interesting effects if all the outlets were
>wired up in "series" as he claims :-)
First of all, NOTHING would work unless something was plugged into ALL
outlets in the chain, and all would have to be energized, and then the
fireworks begin! (on at least on item in the chain)... maybe...
| |
| **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY** 2007-09-23, 5:25 pm |
| It could be a loose main conductor on your circuit panel or meter box.
This would be a good time to call an electrician.
xuyy9@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>I have to correct myself: I've now detected it upstairs as well,
>and that circuit uses a different circuit breaker.
>
>
>
--
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©
"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason."
"Follow The Money" ;-P
| |
|
| From: xuyy9@yahoo.com
Hi all,
We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've discovered
that it's causing power spikes especially when it clicks on. Sometimes
these spikes continue for some time. These spikes hit any equipment
that's in the kitchen and using different outlets. It's an old house, so
my question is, is this a fire hazard? And is this indicative of a
fridge that's defective or could it just be the old wiring? These spikes
cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't happen when it's
connected to outlets in other rooms (or buildings) or on battery power.
Thanks.
---------------
It's the old wiring & right now it's not as much a hazard as an
annoyance, but mostly a description of a poor & outdated or exploited
elecrical system in your old house....
Be Wise & get it upgraded before it becomes a hazard..That, or live like
back in the days your house was built.. Seriously, you wouldn't let your
plumbing go on clogged or leaking..this is just as important.
It's Easy to conclude you must have a 60Amp panel, possibly fuses if not
just a few old circuit breakers for the whole house., those Old Panels &
Circuits were not meant for computers & anything more than 50 Amps with
Everything On - you are trying to pull off operating more equipment &
applainces than your present households electrical system is designed to
put through., hence the surges, spikes & low current problems that show
on your computer screen...nothing more..nothing less.
Roy Q.T.
Urban Technician
[I don't make em, I just fix em]
| |
| ChairmanOfTheBored 2007-09-26, 8:25 pm |
| On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:24:43 -0400, ROYKEY@webtv.net (Roy) wrote:
>
>It's Easy to conclude
That you are a big dope.
| |
|
| Group: alt.engineering.electrical Date:
From: RUBored@stillsmokingcrack.org
=A0=A0=A0=A0That you are a big dope.
Oh, so now you're using dope.....Take a long walk on a short peer,
Turdman.
| |
|
| I am sure this is a wiring or power distribution fault in the electrical of
your home. You should have this professionally checked by a qualified
electrician. There may be a problem with the circuit panel or the entry.
--
JANA
_____
<xuyy9@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1190480814.913834.47470@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
Hi all,
We've got a fairly new fridge, maybe a year old, and we've
discovered that it's causing power spikes especially when
it clicks on. Sometimes these spikes continue for some time.
These spikes hit any equipment that's in the kitchen and using
different outlets. It's an old house, so my question is,
is this a fire hazard? And is this indicative of a fridge that's
defective or could it just be the old wiring? These spikes
cause the screen on my laptop to flicker, which doesn't
happen when it's connected to outlets in other rooms
(or buildings) or on battery power.
Thanks.
|
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