TV Interference From CH Boiler

[drlabman]

So what I can tell from others that have this problem (searching online) it looks to be in the ignition circuit for the boiler.

You raised the temp so the boiler needed to warm up a bit, so POP goes the igniter, and poof goes the TV.

I would do a video of this problem and send it to the manufacture, or tell them the boiler has a defect in the igniter circuit and you want a new on. On them.....

I agree - from my own research, it could be the igniter but I've also seen mention of interference coming from the solenoid opening the gas valve. I don't know enough to say which actual component is generating this "noise" - there may be other components that activate when there's a call for hot water or heat. From my initial contact with the manufacturer is doesn't sound like they would consider this a fault.

 

[a33]

Is your antenna cable somewhere near your boiler?
Apart from the question whether the igniter is the cause, the question remains where in your receiving system the disturbance is picked up; I'd say.

Greetz,
A33

 

[drlabman]

Is your antenna cable somewhere near your boiler?
Apart from the question whether the igniter is the cause, the question remains where in your receiving system the disturbance is picked up; I'd say.

Greetz,
A33

When you say antenna cable, do you mean the cable from the satellite dish to the Humax, or the aerial cable to the TV? Either way, as the crow flies, through a couple of walls, the boiler is at least 5 metres away from the TV and the cables are further than that - although they're obviously connected to the TV/Humax.

 

[Terryl]

One thing if the TV and satellite coax cable is not grounded then the coax shielding don't work as good as it should.

You guys over on that side of the pond may know a bit more on the regulations for installation of antenna systems then I.

If the TV/Satellite coax was/is grounded properly then there is one heck of an EMP from that boiler igniter circuit, if so it would never pass the FCC part 15 regulations for spurious emissions from an electronic device here stateside.

 

[drlabman]

One thing if the TV and satellite coax cable is not grounded then the coax shielding don't work as good as it should.

You guys over on that side of the pond may know a bit more on the regulations for installation of antenna systems then I.

If the TV/Satellite coax was/is grounded properly then there is one heck of an EMP from that boiler igniter circuit, if so it would never pass the FCC part 15 regulations for spurious emissions from an electronic device here stateside.

I'm no expert but I don't believe there's a requirement to ground antennae on houses, but there is on communal blocks like apartments. I could be wrong.

I agree though - I'd be surprised if there aren't any rules regarding electrical or RF emissions from appliances.

 

[Lazarus]

I agree though - I'd be surprised if there aren't any rules regarding electrical or RF emissions from appliances.

The EU EMC Directive, implemented by Regulations in each EU Member State and the UK

 

[Lazarus]

..... However, it covers not just Emissions but also Immunity. In basic terms, it's rarely (If ever) possible to reduce Emissions to zero, so equipment must be designed installed and maintained to afford such a degree of Immunity that functional problems do not ensure.

 

[Terryl]

One way to check if the coax is grounded or not is to use a DVM that can measure ohms, measure from the outer shell of the coax connector to any electrical ground, there should be a very low reading in ohms, anything over 100 ohms is a poor ground, no ohm reading at all (meg ohms) means that the coax is not grounded and that could be part of the problem.

 

[Channel Hopper]

..... However, it covers not just Emissions but also Immunity. In basic terms, it's rarely (If ever) possible to reduce Emissions to zero, so equipment must be designed installed and maintained to afford such a degree of Immunity that functional problems do not ensure.

Somebody may have simply removed that dodgy capacitor from the incoming boiler circuit supply to stop tripping the fuseboard again.

 

[a33]

Have you tried if it happens equally for high band channels, and low band channels?

It might also be a case of a cable without good quality shielding?
Have you tested with another cable, and maybe nearer to the dish?


BTW. We all seem to have different approaches, to investigate (the cause of) the problem. I hope that is not all too confusing, and you can handle that...

Greetz,
A33

 

[drlabman]

Have you tried if it happens equally for high band channels, and low band channels?

It might also be a case of a cable without good quality shielding?
Have you tested with another cable, and maybe nearer to the dish?


BTW. We all seem to have different approaches, to investigate (the cause of) the problem. I hope that is not all too confusing, and you can handle that...

Greetz,
A33

Unfortunately, there's not enough time in the day at the moment so I haven't tried any tests. I have another 2 TVs in the house connected to the same dish - one has a Manhattan box and also Freeview, and another is an LG TV with a built in sat tuner and no Freeview. So I have permutations to check but little time. I'll get there though.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Not even time to check the car radio ?

 

[ozumo]

Start recording a channel on the satellite receiver and then turn on a hot tap or the central heating. After the television goes blank playback the recording and see if is affected, if it isn't then I assume that would mean the interference isn't entering via the satellite coax?

 

[Stevenvc19]

It could very well be the igniter for the gas.
I once had a very very bad lighter (you know, those cheap ones you can buy to easily light your candles,without burning Your fingers)
that lighter sometimes needed 5, 6, 7… clicks until I got a little flame coming out of it.
just making those clicks was enough to cause interference on terrestrial television, even whilst the tv was in the kitchen and someone in the living room was trying to light the lighter. There was approximately 7m between the lighter and the tv at that time.

 

[drlabman]

Not even time to check the car radio ?

No AM in the car

 

[drlabman]

Start recording a channel on the satellite receiver and then turn on a hot tap or the central heating. After the television goes blank playback the recording and see if is affected, if it isn't then I assume that would mean the interference isn't entering via the satellite coax?

No recording on my Humax

 

[drlabman]

It could very well be the igniter for the gas.
I once had a very very bad lighter (you know, those cheap ones you can buy to easily light your candles,without burning Your fingers)
that lighter sometimes needed 5, 6, 7… clicks until I got a little flame coming out of it.
just making those clicks was enough to cause interference on terrestrial television, even whilst the tv was in the kitchen and someone in the living room was trying to light the lighter. There was approximately 7m between the lighter and the tv at that time.

No way!

 

[ozumo]

No recording on my Humax

You can record to USB HDD but not a memory stick for some reason.

I see your profile says it's a Panasonic television - are you using the original power cable and if yes does it have moulded in ferrite cores? My Panasonic, that is affected by other devices being plugged into the same multiplug, is not using the original cable which did have ferrites, I wonder if that could make any difference.

 

[drlabman]

You can record to USB HDD but not a memory stick for some reason.

I see your profile says it's a Panasonic television - are you using the original power cable and if yes does it have moulded in ferrite cores? My Panasonic, that is affected by other devices being plugged into the same multiplug, is not using the original cable which did have ferrites, I wonder if that could make any difference.

I'd forgotten about the external HDD - but don't have one at present.

It is indeed the original power cable for the TV with ferrites (if that's what they are) at both ends. It's a European model TV (bought when we lived in Holland) and I use a EU/UK mains adapter that has an earth.

 

[Delta Lima]

I have a similar problem to this, except that I am using a HDMI extending device, using two cat 5e cables, and the interference happens when I turn on / off a nearby light switch to these cat5s .
Could be worth trying a better screened HDMI cable.