TV gets lines when I drink water.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around an unusual phenomenon where a television experiences interference, specifically lines appearing on the screen, when a refrigerator's water dispenser is activated. Participants explore potential causes and mechanisms behind this interference, considering both electrical and mechanical factors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the issue of the TV displaying lines only when the water dispenser lever is pressed, suggesting it may be related to vibrations or electrical interference.
  • Another participant proposes that the dispensing motor or its control circuitry could be generating RF interference, indicating a possible design or manufacturing error.
  • A third participant clarifies that the lines appear only for a brief moment when the lever is held down, suggesting it may be related to the startup of the pump motor.
  • One participant recommends using an AC Mains filter to mitigate the interference, suggesting that the refrigerator could be plugged into such a filter.
  • Another participant argues against the involvement of a pump, suggesting that an electronic valve might be responsible, and notes that similar issues could arise during the ice maker's fill cycle.
  • One participant mentions that various devices can create RF interference, sharing a personal experience with a neighbor's motorbike as a source of annoyance.
  • A humorous historical reference is made regarding older VW bugs, which were known to cause TV interference from a distance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the source of the interference, with some attributing it to a pump motor and others to an electronic valve. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact cause of the issue.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential limitations in understanding the specific electrical characteristics of the refrigerator and TV setup, as well as the nature of RF interference in general.

mjjstang
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HI, first post. I figured I would come to this forum because I need smart people to tell me why this is happening, It is so odd. I have a refrigerator that has water and ice in the door. When I press the lever to dispense water, my television in the same room gets lines on it like a bad signal. I figured maybe it is small vibrations, so I stomped on the floor and nothing. I also turned faucet on and nothing, ONLY when I press the lever to dispense water, will this happen. Anyone know why this goes on. when you press the lever a light bulb goes on, but you can turn the bulb on separate and nothing happens to the tv. Also I plugged a hair dryer into a socket that the tv is on. the hair dryer is very powerful and only tiny tiny pixels distort when it is on. Anybody know what is happening here. The lines go away after split second of pressing the water lever.
 
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It sounds as if the dispensing motor or its control circuitry is generating RF interference. It shouldn't, so there might be a design or manufacturing error involved.
 
mjjstang said:
The lines go away after split second of pressing the water lever.

What does that mean? The lines only appear for the first split second of you holding down the cold water dispenser button? I agree with Danger that it sounds like a pump motor interference problem -- likely just on startup?

Look at your local Radio Shack (or equivalent) store for a TV interference AC Mains filter, and plug your refrigerator into the wall through that filter. That should help to keep the conducted emissions problem of the cold water pump from reaching your TV.

Like this $10USD item: http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...7&kwCatId=2032057&kw=filter&parentPage=search
 
I don't think a pump is invovled, just an electronic valve. It would seem that when the ice maker goes through a fill cycle, that a similar electronic valve would operate and should cause the same issue.
 
All sorts of things are known to create RF interference that does pretty much what you describe. One source in particular that is a great annoyance to me is our next door neighbour's motorbike. As Danger pointed out, most devices aren't supposed to.
 
Be glad you weren't around when the original VW bugs were. The ignitions on those damned things would screw up a TV from over half a mile away.
 

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