2. misc-audio
  3. 1326593570

Grounding question?

Hi to all...

I hope I can get help with my problem... I bought a co-op here in NY which is in a old building. My video is horrible and I don't know what to do. There is an interference on both my televisions that is just driving me crazy...

The interference looks like lines running across the tv,at times it looks like the whites are bleeding....

I've bought pc audio outlets getting rid of the 15 cent outlets that came with the apartment. Still nothing, I've even went as far as bought a Richard Gray substation for the bedroom and a pole pig for the living room and still nothing.

I've upgraded all of the powercords and still nothing...

I've spoke with an electrician and he said that maybe the grounding wire being used is cheap or the wrong kind of wire.. What? Can that be the problem?

He also mentioned that it may be interference from another outlet that isn't connected properly such as a light switch...

Can anyone help? Thanks for any information..
soundsvision
hifihvn
943 posts
 
There could be a sump pump, a fire escape light, or something else always running. Shutting one circuit (breaker/fuse) off at a time may help. Then if it stops, see what is on there.

I guess at $4K a day, maybe I should have become an electrician there.
hifihvn
943 posts
 
Also, if your running Cable TV, try the set with an antenna (if close to the city). If the noise doesn't happen when on the antenna, there could be a poor connection in the cable, or the AC electrical ground and neutral bonding.

If there is actually a bad AC power ground/neutral connection, your place can be grounding through the cable TV wire. This can be dangerous too.

A boiler, furnace, can cause interference.

If a light switch is turned on, and doing nothing, why can't you turn it off?

Check the real estate laws. A lot of states have disclosure laws. If there was a known problem, the previous owner may be responsible.

Maybe an electrician will post with ideas.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,447 posts
 
Try playing a DVD or a Blu Ray while the cable companies cable is disconnected at the wall.
hifihvn
943 posts
 
I forgot, if disconnecting it from cable helps, try a ground loop idolater. Some people may have better brands to try. This won't solve a problem if you have faulty wiring, just a ground loop problem. Link [http://www.markertek.com/Video-Equipment/Video-Processors/Video-Noise-Hum-Elimination/Jensen-Transformers/VRD-1FF.xhtml]
hifihvn
943 posts
 
You don't mention whether you have cable TV. If you do, they may find the problem. Also, if it's a single drop for the building, it could even someone else's router for their cable TV internet leaking through the building, and drop amp. Some people stream stuff all day. This would show up more with analog cable. Digital cable may not have this problem. TOO many unknowns.
More to discover