[RFI] Blower noise from Carrier Furnace

Thu Jan 28 15:06:50 EST 2016

Ed,

For years when buying nearly every electronic device I ask the store 
manager if he/she knows of any instance that the device I want to buy 
has previously caused radio frequency interference.  I have given them 
the opportunity to contact the manufacturer for more information (none 
have ever done that).  Then I put a sentence in the sales agreement that 
says the purchase is contingent on the device not causing "harmful radio 
interference" and have the store manager sign it.  Nobody has ever 
refused!  I have been prepared if someone said no, to counter with, "Do 
you have any products that will meet my requirements"?  Of course you 
need to be willing to take your business elsewhere.  Finally always 
purchase with a credit card in case there is a problem.  Do this in a 
matter of fact way without sounding like you are looking for a problem.

My $.02.

Larry, W0QE

On 1/28/2016 12:34 PM, Hare, Ed W1RFI wrote:
> It may have been said already, but all pulse-width-controlled motors used in furnaces are compliant with the FCC rules if they have even a modest amount of filtering.   A furnace is an appliance, as defined in Part 15, so it is a device that is categorically exempt from specific emissions limits.  Adding that provision to a contract could actually make it less likely that the manufacturer will cooperate. If he figures out that he is exempt, he can say that he has met that provision in the contract.
>
> It would be better to negotiate a contract that requires that interference to radio devices be addressed.
>
>
> 73, Ed Hare, W1RFI
> ARRL Laboratory Manager
> 225 Main St.
> Newington, CT 06111
> Tel: (860) 594-0318
> Fax: (860) 594-0259
> Email: W1RFI at arrl.org
> Member: IEEE Connecticut Section
> Member: IEEE EMC Society, Board of Directors
> Member: IEEE EMC Society Standards Development and Education Committee
> Member: University of Hartford Industry Advisory Committee
> Primary representative:  ANSI ASC C63 EMC Committee, Vice Chair Subcommittee 5 (Immunity)
> Member: QRP Amateur Radio Club International, Board of Directors
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Dave Cole
> Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2016 11:15 AM
> To: rfi at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [RFI] Blower noise from Carrier Furnace
>
> If possible, when you replace your HVAC system, have the company doing the install write into the contract both you and they sign, that the new device will not generate RFI, and will be FCC part 15 compliant, else it goes back, and the old system gets put back in place at no charge to you.
>
> That forces them to do the homework and call the manufacturer.  This also puts the RFI issue right out on the table to start with, and brings up the issue of RFI to the manufacturer.  This also lets the manufacturer know that RFI is an issue , and can cost them sales.
>
> When I changed furnaces I did this...  I also had no issues with RFI when the install was finished.  I asked the installers, to please do their homework and call the vendor to insure there would not be an RFI issue, prior to install in order to avoid ugly issues later.
>
> All went well, and they installed an RFI kit on a Coleman furnace at the time of install...  Not a peep from it.
>
> I also elected to avoid the PW controlled fan as well...
>
> All discussion were very nice, and very friendly, but in no uncertain terms, no RFI would be tolerated, it would be a show-stopper.
>
> --
> 73's, and thanks,
> Dave
>
> For software/hardware reviews see:
> http://www.nk7z.net
>
> For MixW support see:
> https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
>
> For SSTV help see:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info
>
>
>
> On Thu, 2016-01-28 at 07:41 -0800, Gary Smith via RFI wrote:
>> Thanks for this very valuable info. Our hvac system is near
>> replacement time, good to know that Trane corp knows (and apparently,
>> understands)
>> about and can do something about RFI from their hvac system.
>>
>> Gary...wa6fgi
>>
>>
>>
>> On 1/27/2016 7:41 PM, Tim Duffy wrote:
>>> Hello Jim:
>>>
>>> I had a new HVAC system installed last year - It is the American
>>> Standard brand. I had bad RFI on 20 meters.
>>>
>>> I found this document:
>>>
>>> http://www.crompton.com/hamradio/Trane%20XV95%20RFI%20Documentation
>>> .pdf
>>>
>>> It gave me all the info I needed to give to the HVAC installers to
>>> fix my RFI. Now my HVAC system is RFI noise free.
>>>
>>> Hope this document (lots of links) or something else you can Google
>>> will help you solve your problem.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Tim K3LR
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim
>>> Netwal via RFI
>>> Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 2:55 PM
>>> To: rfi at contesting.com
>>> Subject: [RFI] Blower noise from Carrier Furnace
>>>
>>> Last August I replaced my dead furnace with a new Carrier Model
>>> 59TP6A060
>>> variable speed, 2-stage furnace.  Right away I noticed that I had
>>> loud blower motor noise ever 18 kHz on most bands but it was the
>>> loudest on 17 meters.  Does anyone have any advice or a fix for
>>> this?  Thank you in advance!
>>>
>>> 73, Jim W9UUM
>>> www.w9uum.com
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