Electronics 101 question: How to kill power related clicks?

[Paulie]

I recently upgraded my DAW interface from a two-interface Thunderbolt powered device to a larger device that uses a power adapter. This led me to getting behind my desk and moving some plugs around to make everything fit as needed. Much of my gear is plugged into a UPS.

Now I am getting a loud click/pop when my small studio refrigerator chiller turns off. I tried adding a ground flip adapter to the DAW interface plug but that added huge buzz so I killed that idea. Next step is to try that on the fridge... is there something else I should be doing?

[lesmac]

Russell the Wichita lineman is probably your man on this one.
Something along the lines of getting your fridge on a circuit on the other leg of your USA power meter thingy might help.

EDIT; If you didn't have a problem before maybe you have 2 circuits in your studio and your new arrangement has put the fridge on your audio circuit.

If you can get to your fuse box a little experimenting turning circuits on and off may help you find out if your studio room is on the one circuit. If it is just one and you can't mimmic the arrangement before the upgrade maybe experiment with an extension cord from another room for the fridge.

In the past I have wrapped aluminium foil around those 9 or 12 volt wall wart cables to try and shield them a bit though I wouldn't have a clue if it actually works.

Best of luck, this kind of stuff is a pain.

[Len911]

Paul I agree, you should probably at least consult a local electrician.

When the refrigerator compressor turns on it consumes more wattage (starting or surge watts), the UPS from my understanding tries to maintain power when the power is momentarily interrupted, from a battery type source. It almost seems then that when the compressor turns on that it senses the power is low or interrupted, comes on and then "clicks" off when the power is returned to a larger level after the compressor shuts off.

Some areas and electric companies are more problematic than others at regulating the power, maybe a lower voltage circuit breaker for your studio would offer better protection than a UPS, unless it tripped too often, and unless you needed the uninterrupted power supply. That's where the electrician would come in handy. Constantly losing power is hard on computers and probably most other power supplies.

The UPS unit. Is it just too sensitive for determining if the power is too low, or do you really have a low voltage problem when the compressor kicks in causing the UPS to supply voltage to your gear that is plugged into it? There may be lights or something that tells you what and when the UPS is doing something? Do you have the refrigerator plugged into the UPS? Maybe don't.

I'm not really sure about the need for a refrigerator in the studio,lol! Does it also function to heat the room as well? I would think maybe an ice chest would work better?

I would recommend something like this. I've used similar and even a dometic brand a few years back in a semi truck. For the ones on this page, the absorption coolers, you will need to get an ac to dc converter, depending on the watts, for example 85 watts, if you have a local truck stop with a store, they usually sell them.(they also have a 240v plugin or gas) These particular ones don't have compressors or fans. No noise. They only maintain temperature to it says 30 degrees celsius below the ambient temperature, I would tend to believe fahrenheit, maybe. So if the room is 70, 40 degrees, if the room is 90, maybe 60 degrees. They have other classes of coolers on their website as well, however some have fans and compressors (no different than what you have), and essentially premium ice boxes.
http://www.dometic.eu/products/cooling/ ... n-coolers/

[mojobone]

The quick and dirty solution? Run an extension cord from your fridge to another room. Alternatively, you could call an electrician and see to it your devices are on separate circuits and/or upgrade to 100 amp service or somewhat less expensively, (about $400) add a voltage regulator on the DAW side. Upgrading your UPS might help, but it's pretty hit or miss. How bad did you need that fridge anyways? Maybe just move it to a garage or utility room...

[Len911]

If by "power adapter" you mean "wall wart" or transformer, maybe it's something to do with transformers and UPS, if it is even plugged into the UPS?

A voltage regulator might regulate the voltage to a consistent value, however you have to have a voltage to regulate, it's not a generator.

Upgrading your UPS might help, but it's pretty hit or miss. How bad did you need that fridge anyways? Maybe just move it to a garage or utility room...

I agree, I'd go a little further and question if you really need the UPS at all. If it is one of those that give you a minute or two to power everything down in the event of a power failure, hopefully you would have a flashlight nearby or not be in the toilet at the time of the outage.

I think this give a little perspective on not only voltage regulators, but UPS as well. It's important that the utility companies maintain a certain level of quality, they really can't afford to be destroying people's electronics and appliances.
http://www.ustpower.com/comparing-autom ... -problems/

[mojobone]

A voltage regulator might regulate the voltage to a consistent value, however you have to have a voltage to regulate, it's not a generator.

Um, no. A voltage regulator will provide a consistent voltage for a rated amperage, and most include a transformer; if you're operating a Hammond B3 off a generator in a field next to a Harley dealership, you'll come to appreciate this fact in a damn big hurry, because without one, you could be looking at some very expensive repairs. Feel free to ask me how I know.

[Len911]

A voltage regulator might regulate the voltage to a consistent value, however you have to have a voltage to regulate, it's not a generator.

Um, no. A voltage regulator will provide a consistent voltage for a rated amperage, and most include a transformer; if you're operating a Hammond B3 off a generator in a field next to a Harley dealership, you'll come to appreciate this fact in a damn big hurry, because without one, you could be looking at some very expensive repairs. Feel free to ask me how I know.

voltage regulator + generator
I'm not sure I wanna hear how the Hammond B3 was damaged,lol!

[Paulie]

Thanks folks. The fridge holds my beer, it is a necessity on the same level as compression.

The puzzling thing is that this pop didn't happen until I added the new DAW interface, the fridge never caused any problems before (other than heating the room a bit). I'm pretty sure all of the plugs in the room are on the same circuit, I'll have to decipher the electricians labels in the breaker box tp see where the closest alternative might be.

FWIW, the fridge is plugged into a separate socket on a different wall int the room. The UPS is there to keep my monitors on in the event of an outage (since I work from home for my day job).

I'll experiment some and let you know what I find out.


Thanks again!

[Len911]

Thanks folks. The fridge holds my beer, it is a necessity on the same level as compression.

you mean de-compression?

[lesmac]

Thanks folks. The fridge holds my beer, it is a necessity on the same level as compression

Isn't that De-compression or upward expansion? I'd put a gate on that.