Electrical question

Csufan97

Active Member
Here it's the deal I ran 4 new circuits for my grow. I have 2 20 amp and 2 15 amp circuits and I installed them last weekend no issues till today. I installed 1 20 amp circuits per each ballast (1 1k and 1 600 ballast) and 2 15 amp circuitS for the controller and fans etc. So the cable company came knocking on the door and informed me that they had issues with a high noise floor and they isolated to my node (house). So I informed the tech that I was a medical patient and so was my girl and we both had cards etc. my luck the guys girl was a medical patient too and totally cool no worries there if there were any to start. So long story short and after a long discussion he showed me his tdr and sure enough I was killing the whole neighborhood lol 4 subdivisions during the bronco game and all. We disconnected the feed and the noise floor dropped kicker is I haven't had there service for a couple of years. After a long talk over some smoke the dude assured me that there was no report or anything that he had to name an address etc.
ok down to the real question after he left I cut all the new circuits at the breaker just to see if there was any rf interference from running the data and voice too close to the electrical (I also have a little noise on my phone different service provider) no change with noise after cutting the circuits. So wtf did I do wrong or is something else going on I have worked on networks for the better Part of 15 years and I get infrastructure and guidelines. I must also add that I live in an area where there is shitty cell service so I have a Wilson's cell booster to boot. Anything anyone has is greatly appreciated as always.

Csu
 

ArcticGranite

Well-Known Member
Fluorescent ballasts, doorbell transformers, ups's are notorious for creating powerline rf interference within a home that radiates to neighboring homes. Loose ground connections are too, but that's mainly on the high and low voltage distribution circuit. If you have a noise signature from the tdr you can try troubleshooting. De-energize one circuit at a time till noise disappears. Trace out that circuit and begin de-energizing what's on it till the noise is found. Best of luck.
 

Nice Ol Bud

Well-Known Member
Holy shit. what the hell are you guys talking about? LOL!
Wouldn't a 20 amp breaker be sufficient for that???
 

Brother Numsi

Well-Known Member
I check for RF with an old style transistor radio. Arctic is correct...hopefully you'll be able to track down one issue. Grounding should be easy to check, too. Good luck with the noise issues.
 

Csufan97

Active Member
Exactly artic and I am trying to figure the source. As I stated above I cut all 4 circuits to my grow at the circuit breaker and the noise continued ( I have 60 cycle noise over my 5.8 ghz wireless phones in the house as well.). Yes 4 circuits each ballast has its own dedicated 20 amp circuit and fans etc off the other two 15 Amp circuits no where close to maxing these circuits out.
 

Csufan97

Active Member
Yeah it's not wiring I have checked with a circuit tester no ground issues there I am leaning toward a 600 watt ballast just started running today but have tested her out several times. Yet when I cut the power to the grow the noise stays.
 

Highocaine

Well-Known Member
Ballasts (especially digital) put out a lot of RF noise. I'd suspect them above most else. If you can, check its capacitors for domed tops, leakage etc.
 

ArcticGranite

Well-Known Member
Yeah it's not wiring I have checked with a circuit tester no ground issues there I am leaning toward a 600 watt ballast just started running today but have tested her out several times. Yet when I cut the power to the grow the noise stays.
Try thinking it backwards. You ran 4 new circuits for your grow. What's the last thing you did, first thing. Sleep on it. If de-energizing circuits isn't abating the noise- tune it in with a portable a.m. Turn off the main breaker supplying your home. If the noise is gone- keep shooting trouble, it's in your house. Chasing rf is like catching a demon. Has to be active and you need to be able to see or hear it.
 

Csufan97

Active Member
Thanks guys so here is what I have done so far. Got aluminum tape and taped the areas where the electric crosses the data/voice @ 90 degrees in the unfinished basement. Also got several ferrite magnets and attached them to the power cords coming off the reflector and off the ballast. Replaced the ballast power cords with 14 gauge shielded medical grade power cords. Also wrapped the outside of the ballast with the aluminum tape actually read that on a different thread here. No relief for the rf nightmare. Next is an am fm radio and find the source funny I used to have several radios now I am hard pressed to even find one. If its the ballast then I am going to put her in a faraday cage.
 

ArcticGranite

Well-Known Member
To check your neut's/ground-if you have a clamp on ampmeter-check current flow at your main disconnect bond to earth. If the bond is at the water main check there. Also if the telephone or cable is earth bonded check. Any current flow at those points indicates a problem. Current imbalance should be running neutral and not ground.
 
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