[RFI] Refrigerator RFI

[Jim Brown]

On 9/7/2023 5:04 PM, Jim McCook wrote:
> We suddenly need a new refrigerator, so am looking to find out which 
> ones are RFI generators and which ones are established as clean. Any input?

Virtually all electronics runs on some form of SMPS; some products may 
have variable-speed motor controllers. Most noise is conducted to the 
power cord, then to house wiring. All of that AC wiring radiates. An 
easy fix is a serious common mode choke on the AC cable as close as 
practical to where it enters the unit. A good starting point for HF is 
as many turns as you can wind IN SEQUENCE (that is, NOT scrambled) 
through the Fair-Rite #31 1-in i.d. clamp-on. Depending on the cable, I 
can usually get 4, sometimes 5.

I've got a fairly small Samsung French Door top with pull-out drawer 
freezer below, that's 3 years old, and a Kenmore Elite, same size and 
configuration, that's a few years older. Wires for 80, 40, and 30 are up 
100-125 ft, closest run overhead of both. Neither are bothering me. I 
think motors in both either run or they don't.

73, Jim K9YC