[RFI] RFI from variable speed swimming pool pumps

[Randy Standke]

Input line filters can help a great deal.  In addition, some type of filtering on the ground wire may also be needed because the line filters don't filter the ground wire.  A large clamp on ferrite over all the power wires will also filter the ground.  First try the line filter.  If you still have RFI try adding the ferrite.  I have a dishwasher and eliminating all the RFI took a lot of work.  I had installed a line filter, but the RFI was not completely gone.  It occurred to me that the ground wire is directly connected to the chassis, and perhaps the long run through the house is making a great antenna.  A Fair-Rite 0431164181 over the Romex (neutral, ground, hot) was my last step and eliminated the remaining RFI.

Something else to consider with RFI is if there are any wires coming into the device in addition to power.  My heater unit has a variable speed motor and was making RFI.  A line filter helped.  Ferrite over the power cable helped a little more.  The final step to cure it was a ferrite on the cable to the thermostat.  RFI was coupling on to the thermostat cable and with a length of about 20 feet made a great antenna.

Randy KQ6RS

-----Original Message-----
From: RFI <rfi-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Don Kirk
Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2018 8:35 PM
To: jimk8mr at aol.com
Cc: rfi at contesting.com
Subject: [RFI] RFI from variable speed swimming pool pumps

In all RFI cases that I have tracked down to VFDs (variable frequency / variable speed drives), the input line filter recommended by the drive manufacturer for EMC compliance had not been installed.  Installing the recommended input line filter or a similar input line filter has always made a huge difference if not total elimination of the problem.  On a tread mill case I had to use both an input line filter as well as toroid core for complete ellimanition of the RFI.

Just FYI,

Don (wd8dsb)

On Saturday, June 30, 2018, jimk8mr--- via RFI <rfi at contesting.com> wrote:

>
> At my Florida condo QTH I found a lot of noise being generated by the 
> pool pumps about 200 feet from my indoor antenna. The inverter 
> responsible is from CES Water Quality in Jupiter, FL. The noise is 
> broadband, so it's not going to be helped by changing speeds. I've not 
> tried any fixes, partly because going through condo management is a 
> pain, and because there are some other closer sources (low voltage 
> lamp power supplies) that are more serious. These pumps (which are for 
> a fairly large pool) and on 50 amp circuits, with #8 wire, so it will 
> take some serious toroids on those power leads.
>
>
>
> One other thing which you might consider with any pumps is twisting 
> the power wiring from the controller to the pumps.
>
>
>
>
> 73  -  Jim   K8MR
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: James Jordan <k4qpl2 at gmail.com>
> To: rfi <rfi at contesting.com>
> Sent: Sat, Jun 30, 2018 9:08 pm
> Subject: [RFI] RFI from variable speed swimming pool pumps
>
> I’ve heard variable speed HVAC units sometimes cause RFI. Does anyone 
> haveexperience or knowledge about variable speed pool pumps? Specific 
> model I’mlooking at is Energy efficient Pentair VS Intelliflow 1.5HP 
> equivalent toreplace a power hog single speed at our VP5 property, but 
> I don’t want toend up with a noise problem.My antennas are about 60' 
> from the pump location and the SteppIR aims inits direction.Because 
> the various speeds are user adjustable, would varying the speedchange 
> the position of any spurs to a less critical frequency? Other 
> ideas?73,Jim, K4QPL; 
> VP5M_______________________________________________RFI mailing listRFI 
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