[RFI] LED Street lights

Jim McCook w6ya at cox.net
Wed Aug 30 13:31:48 EDT 2023


Ed, In every RFI case I've had involving LED lighting in fixtures like 
chandeliers, the solution has been to either isolate the switching power 
supply from the line with a Corcom filter, or in the case of LED strip 
lighting, those supplies had to be replaced with magnetic transformers.  
The AC line in those houses were obviously radiating.  Those neighbors 
understood their responsibility.  I donated the Corcom filters. Does 
this not place these situations as Part 15 Subpart B unintentional 
radiators via the AC wiring in the house, which is non-compliant?

The only situation I was unable to resolve with a hostile neighbor was 
with his Jandy multispeed swimming pool motor.  It's obviously radiating 
via the line, but FCC refused to recognize it as a problem, despite the 
20 KHz wide moving interference on several bands reaching S-7, where 
noise level was otherwise S-3/4.  I was told "you can still use your radio."

Now I have a neighbor involved in an extensive remodel who is using low 
voltage wiring throughout the house for his LED lighting.  Of course he 
installed switching power supplies.  I gave him a copy of the WSJ 
article that was normally helpful to orient neighbors to FCC regulation 
of RFI, but he refused to read it, saying that his electricians are 
under contract and will finish the job as planned.  He said any changes 
will be my financial responsibility to his electricians; otherwise he 
will see me in court.  I would guess the wiring on both sides of the 
switching supplies is radiating.

I have no faith in FCC any longer, so without their help, I am planning 
for the expense to make those changes.  The hostile pool pump neighbor 
is just starting to build an ADU/office, so I can expect the same 
resistance from him.  I can't help but think FCC has failed me completely.

If anyone wants a copy of the WSJ 2014 article, please send me Email.  
It is very helpful with reasonable neighbors.    73, Jim W6YA


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