Electrical problem/buzz...

[AlexHerd]

Hey. So on the bottom floor of the studio I work at, we have shrinkwrapping machine that cuts the plastic to the correct size using heat. Now, up in the studio, every time the shrinkwrapper is pressed down, you can hear a buzz in the monitors (this buzz gets recorded too if you would be recording) So we are looking for a solution so that we can be recording and shrinkwrapping at the same time... Does anyone know what the problem is, or how we could go about fixing it? If we were to hire an electrician, I wouldnt even really know what the problem was to tell him. Im sure someone has asked a similar question before, so please excuse me if that is the case. THANKS for any help!

[notbradsohner]

is it like an electrical buzz or is the machine just plain making noise?

it sounds like it could be a grounding problem, or your shrinkwrapper might be sucking too much electricity out, and the monitors arent getting enough.

[Rod Gervais]

Originally Posted by AlexHerd

Hey. So on the bottom floor of the studio I work at, we have shrinkwrapping machine that cuts the plastic to the correct size using heat. Now, up in the studio, every time the shrinkwrapper is pressed down, you can hear a buzz in the monitors (this buzz gets recorded too if you would be recording) So we are looking for a solution so that we can be recording and shrinkwrapping at the same time... Does anyone know what the problem is, or how we could go about fixing it? If we were to hire an electrician, I wouldnt even really know what the problem was to tell him. Im sure someone has asked a similar question before, so please excuse me if that is the case. THANKS for any help!

my 1st comment is that you want your gear to be powering off one leg of the service - and all other equipment (lighting - HVAC - exhaust fans - this machine) powering off the opposite leg.

It's possible that it's a grounding problem - but my 1st guess would be the power supply itself.

If this doesn't solve the problem - and it is indeed a ground loop - then finding the problem can be very involved - and may cost thousands of dollars to just find - this due to the fact that it could even be something as simple as the manner in which the water piping is grounded - and it takes a pretty savvy electrician to figure it all out.

Rod

[KevinDrummer]

Rod is correct that finding the root cause could be daunting.

However, solving the problems could be as easy as installing a small UPS for the recording equipment. Not all that expensive - and also some come with fault indicators for power quality.

[Rod Gervais]

Originally Posted by KevinDrummer

However, solving the problems could be as easy as installing a small UPS for the recording equipment. Not all that expensive - and also some come with fault indicators for power quality.

AlexHerd,

Listen to this advice...... it has a lot of merit.

A UPS with conditioned power might well be your easiest solution.

Just make certain to size it to accomodate your total wattage needs...... and leave a little room for future purchases you might be considering.

Rod

[bigdaddyd]

Im an electrical contractor, but I say that humbly. I dont step up here with an archive of knowledge and go up against guys "in the recording industry" , but Ill give you my take as I see a lot of jobs where an appliance has an effect on other outlets and light devices.

Heat loads have a large influence on a service. Copy machines even when in their standby mode can flicker lights. Etc... At least you know what the problem is.

I think it was said that isolating the leg the shrink machine is on could be a start and pull your circuit off the opposite leg. If the machine is 220, there goes that one.

Alot of times electrical problems like this can be eleminated by running your circuit through a transformer. Usually transformers "transform" power from one voltage to another, but in your case you would be building a "wall" through which this heater draw would have a harder time getting over. Picture it this way, It would "isolate" your circuit from the rest in a sense by way of a magnetic field.

Ive seen cases where someone with a 400 amp circuit gets a flicker in the whole house when the disposall comes on. Nothing to do about it. You may find that in the end this is one reason not to record above the use of a heavy appliance.

Also consider that hot water tanks, heaters, dryers, all draw a good chuck of electrical change, and yet rarely cause havoc in general. You may try to Isolate the appliance by way of a isolation device (transformer).

If this is a surge, they do make surge protectors/ conditioners that install like a 220 circuit. This would all be trial and error.

Or live with it........

D

[c7sus]

When you press the shrinkwrapper down, you are energizing the cutter wire.

What you are hearing is probably a relay controlled by a microswitch, and the inrush of current into the cutwire circuit.

Isolating transformers may or may not solve this problem.

Only recording when the wrapper is not in use will definately eliminate the problem.