[RFI] RFI & Washing Machines

[Jim Brown]

On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 01:39:33 -0500 (CDT), Christopher E. Brown wrote:

>Since every similar washer I checked was at least as bad, and mine only 
>had motor controller noise I ordered a Corecom filter brick, 10amp, one 
of 
>the higher end units noted for use on VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) 
>systems.

>I installed inside the washer case where the power cord enters, almost 
>silent (90+ percent gone).  Note, the filter *only* works when the filter 
>body has a very good connection to the washer chassis, leave it floating 
>and it makes no impact on the noise.  I ground the paint off of the 
inside 
>of the chassis under the filter mounting tabs and used stainless hardware 
>w/ no-ox grease to get a good connection, then removed that panel and 
>cleaned up where the panel bonds to the base panel/frame (where motor 
>controller and motor casings bolt to) to ensure a good connection.

>After that I could only hear it below 40 and it was weak, a 2.4in #31 
>toroid on  the power cable and I can no longer tell when it is running.

All very solid engineering techniques, and it sounds like a LOT of work. 
The sad thing is that proper design of that motor control system for EMC 
(most of which wouldn't cost much) would make it either un-necessary or 
solvable with a lot less work. 

73,

Jim Brown K9YC