Computer interference problem

[Heywood]

Last week I installed a bath fan in a small basement bathroom on the same circuit as small computer room with an adjoining wall. Now the homeowner is saying that when he turns the fan on it is making noise come out of his computer speakers. I'm going there tomorrow any ideas what I should check or have seen this problem before? Thanks

 

[wbalsam1]

Last week I installed a bath fan in a small basement bathroom on the same circuit as small computer room with an adjoining wall. Now the homeowner is saying that when he turns the fan on it is making noise come out of his computer speakers. I'm going there tomorrow any ideas what I should check or have seen this problem before? Thanks

A 60 cycle hum can resonate the musical pitch "B". Check for vibration transferring pitch. Otherwise, I don't have a clue.

 

[PCN]

I'd just put it on another circuit and be on my way.

 

[Heywood]

I would put it on a seperate circuit but the fuse panel is full and this guy is really cheap so sub panel is out of the question

 

[zbang]

Option 1- cheapo computer speakers.
Option 2- bad wiring to said speakers (un or badly- shielded)
Option 3- cheapo fan. Some fans toss off a magnetic field for a couple of feet. (At one job, the fan in a neighbor's cube made waves on my monitor. About 4 feet away.)

Does the fan unit have a metal case? (And is that csse grounded properly?)

 

[Rampage_Rick]

Option 2- bad wiring to said speakers (un or badly- shielded)

Most likely. I had a cheap set of speakers that would pick up nearby aircraft clear as a bell. Same set would also pick up GDO remotes within 100 yards. Still use them to test GDO remotes, it's the simplest way to do it, don't even have to pop the case open...

-edit to add- They would also pick up the RF "pop" caused by the spark gap when turning off light switches in my house, ESPECIALLY the bathroom fan.

 

[bjp_ne_elec]

Probably one of the three things Zbang said. Some other circuit that doesn't have the exhaust fan or a power conditioning power strip.

 

[Heywood]

Thanks guys for the replies, I was leaning towards the speakers also. Now to convince him of it

 

[mlp425]

You might also try using a UPS for the PC and "powered" speakers. This would also be benificial during power outages.

 

[goldstar]

I would put it on a seperate circuit but the fuse panel is full and this guy is really cheap so sub panel is out of the question

This is going to be your major hurdle. People want to drive Cadillacs but only want to pay for a Hyundai.

I have a similar problem with my desktop computer. I have a paper shreader right next to my desk (same circuit as the computer but before the surge suppressor) and it generates noise on the branch circuit when operated. If I shread paper while I'm on the computer I get wavy lines across my TV, noise on my computer speakers (Boston Acoustics) and I lose the function of my mouse and have to re-start the computer. You'll have to find some sort of filter for the computer (like a UPS as previously mentioned) or put the exhaust fan on another branch circuit.