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#174148 01/27/08 07:20 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2
T
New Member
Our kitchen has under-counter low voltage puck lights. In the same area, on the same circuit is a radio that, when on, emits a loud buzz if we turn the under-counter lights on.
Any thoughts?

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 202
3
Member
Electronic transformers for the low voltage lighting, I assume? Mixed circuit for lighting and power in the kitchen? Try leaving the radio where it is, run an extension cord to another circuit and see if the noise goes away. If the noise goes away, the power outlet may have to be moved to another circuit. Otherwise move the radio as odds on its the transformers producing the noise.

32VAC #174182 01/28/08 04:57 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
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Or change the puck light transformer to an old fashioned 60Hz type. That should be radio quiet.

wa2ise #174312 02/01/08 06:56 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 706
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Thank you for giving me one more reason to dislike puck lights. I haven't heard this one before. It's typical for cheap dimmers.

Dave

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 50
H
Member
A small AC cap in parallel with the incoming supply to the radio might provide the needed RF attenuation.

Better still would be to place a standard "CLC" filter inline with the incoming supply cord to your puck lights..... sounds like you have one of those cheap and nasty Chinese switching PSUs. Many are missing the RF filter they need to pass FCC certification! They are notorious for sending a proper unit for certification and then doing the old switcheroo when it comes time to put them on the boat. In this case, all you would be doing is adding a little box that had a line choke and a AC filter cap (0.1uF is enough) on each side of the cap in this case. Place the filter box as close to the main PSU as you can get it.

The Radio Shack ABS plastic project boxes make good, safe enclosures for this sort of thing.

Mouser Electronics sells some EMI/RFI filters with terminals, all you would need to do in that case is solder your wires to it and place it in an enclosure. This route is the easiest and will probably provide the best performance.


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