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by Joseph J. Carr annoyance. For most situa- sion reception is from the AC power lines.

tions, "comfortable" listen- When I first moved into my present home,


ing requires an SNR of 10 my HF shortwave receivers were all but use-
dB, i.e., a signal that is con- less because of the high "hash" level of
siderably above the 0 dB noise present.
noise floor. The problem turned out to be a collec-
Keep in mind that the tion of "dimmer" switches that replaced the
absolute amplitudes of the ordinary light switches. Those devices use a
noise and signals are not as duty-cycle SCR circuit to lower the power
important as the signal-to- level of incandescent lights, and the truncat-
Dealing With AC Power Line EMI noise ratio. Of course, as you ed waveform they produce is rich in har-
start digging for weaker and monics (well into the HF bands!).
weaker signals, the ampli- I replaced all six dimmers with conven-
Radio recep-
F igure 1 shows the ·fundamental
situation in all radio reception
tion is many problems. There is always some basic
tude of the noise signal must be suppressed
in order to get a usable SNR.
tional switches, and the noise level dropped
enough decibels to be really impressive.
Over the years, I have found a large
things to noise level caused by a combination of AC Power Line Noise number of non-radio sources of interference
natural and man-made sources. to AM broadcast band (BCB), FM BCB, high
many people, As society becomes more and more Perhaps the most common form of fidelity audio, and television equipment in
electrical, the man-made component man-made noise afflicting radio and televi- addition to shortwave and scanner receivers.
but all forms becomes huge. But the actual amplitude of
1000K 120 dB
of radio the noise signal is not nearly as important
as the SNR, i.e ., the relative strengths of
activity boil the desired signal and the noise.
You will find that listening to weak 100K 100dB
down to one signals on some frequencies, especially
thing: the in the AM band or the "tropical"
MW/SW bands, is made difficult or 10k BO dB
signal-to-noise impossible by hash from the AC
power lines. -'
w
ratio (SNR) game. Figure 1 shows four situations. >
w
-' 1000 60 dB
There is There is a basic RMS noise level, w
en
which is labeled 0 dB. Four signals are 0
z
always some present (A, B, c, and D). Signal A is w
>
basic noise level clearly below the average noise level, ~
w
100 40dB

so will not be heard. Some very skilled a:


caused by aoperators might be able to hear signal B
because it sticks up just above the 0 dB 10 20 dB

combination of noise level, but for most people it will


natural and remain a" ... was that a signal or my imag-
ination?" situation.
man-made When the signal gets a little higher, 10KHz 100 KHz 1 MHz 10MHz 100 MHz 1 GHz
say 3 dB above the noise floor, it becomes FREQUENCY
sources. readable with a bit of discomfort and

11011 SllVED THE U/0111.D TOD/IV. •• Included are: electric motors, a


microwave oven, loose tie-wires on
Bob, Super-Tech extrodinaire, has a secret weapon. AC mains transformers (on the pole
,-;.~!!~··· This amazing device allowed him to locate and replace outside the home), and electrical
all 34 bad electrolytic capacitors in this TV in Jess than
space heaters.
30 minutes. So instead of throwing this TV into the local
Many different forms of appli-
landfill and adding more pollution, Bob's secret weapon
ances were indicted, including (oddly
enabled him to give the World a brighter future.
Impressed his manager and his customer too. enough) a dishwasher that has an
SCR controller inside to turn it on and
Bob's secret weapon? The world's best in-circuit cap
checker, the CapAnalyzer 88A by EDS. off, a garbage disposal unit under
the complainant's sink, a garage
door opener, and the most raucous
Smart techs know that to be productive you need to find
door bell-chime I've ever heard.
defective components quickly and accurately. That's why General Motors, Matsushita Industrial, Sears Service,
Two forms of noise seem to be
Pioneer Electronics, Panasonic Authorized Service, NASA/Kennedy Space Center, Time/Warner Communications,
present. First, the harmonics of the
NBC TV and thousands more independent service technicians have chosen the CapAnalyzer 88A over all of the other
60 Hz power line waveform are pre-
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sent throughout the spectrum. If the
their CapAnalyzer to the "wizards" and "z-meters" they already own. They all prefer the CapAnalyzer because it
power line produced a pure
checks electrolytic capacitors, in-circuit, with 100% accuracy. No unsoldering to check out-of-circuit, no mistaking a
sinewave, then this would not occur.
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But the power line waveform is dis-
exclusive three-color comparison chart right on the front panel, auto-discharge, multi-beep alert, and one-handed
torted, so has harmonics. Because
tweezer test probe, even your pet monkey could find defective caps in that problem PWM power supply, TV, monitor
or VCR in a few seconds. the power levels are so high, the sig-
nificant harmonics form a "comb"
••• llOUI IT'S VOUll TU/Ill. spectrum every 60 Hz high into the
radio frequency spectrum. Second,
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76 MAv 2000/Nuts & Volts Magazine Write in 30 on Reader Service Card.
{!);JJJ:J!JJ 1]]!JJ@JWJJ&[J
Dealing With AC Power Line EMI

ANTENNA

Figure 2 - EMI levels as a


500 KHz
function of frequency.

RF REST OF RECEIVER
AMPLIFIER >---- - CIRCUITS

A1
_J
w
A2
CHASSIS GROUND BUS
>
w
_J

w
~: Figure 3. -·EMl:·levels as a func-
en :tion of distance from the source
I 6
GND I z . · for different frequencies.
I w
I I
1 >
~
~~
I c. -1'1

1___ ~
_J

I w
a:
I
I . I
P1
I EXTERNAL EARTH GROUND 1
------------ RADIO

1 W~~L ~
OUTLET
/
POWER

PLUG

1
Figures 2 and 3 characterize this hash level. It is more intense on the DISTANCE FROM NOISE SOURCE
noise emission in two different ways. lower frequencies, but annoying
Figure 2 shows the relative level in well into the shortwave bands.
audible, but barely so. Walk, drive, or the noise source (which is always the
arbitrary units versus frequency. Figure 3 characterizes the 60 Hz
turn your antenna in first one direc- best solution!), but there are some
Typical intensity levels might run from power line EMI problem as a func-
tion and then the other to see in things that you can do about the
a fraction of a microvolt per meter tion of distance from the noise
which direction an increase is noted. problem at your receiver. Let's take a
(µV/m) to nearly 500,000 µV/m, source. Again, because the actual
Go in that direction until the signal is look at some of those problems.
depending on the source (which is values of the distance and signal
again strong. First, let's look at one of the
why Figure 2 is in "arbitrary voltage strength vary with your particular sit-
At that point, pick another high- sources of the problem. Let's assume
units"). uation, relative units are used in
er frequency at which the noise is
Note in Figure 2 that the distrib- Figure 3. Note that the 500 KHz (bot-
just barely audible and repeat the
ution of signal intensity is uneven tom of AM BCB) strength does not
process. This process is repeated at 2t;'te<U€~
throughout the spectrum. The levels fall off nearly as fast as the higher
successively higher frequencies until
will be extremely high in the VLF por- frequency components. you are very, very close to the source . . 4 P~ t3evvt
tion of the spectrum, and fall off ·This fact leads us to a strategy
At that time, start looking for likely
almost evenly up into the UHF spec-
-~~- SECRETS OF
for finding the source. Start at the
culprits.
trum. If you tune into the AM BCB or lowest frequency, and tune to higher
Once the source is located, it can
RF CIRCUIT
medium wave bands (up to about 7 frequencies until the noise just
be dealt with by one or more meth- DESIGN
MHz or so), then you will note a high begins to disappear. You want it
ods. If it is the power line (loose con- l'!Jrom one of
nections raise hob with
T today's most
respected electron-
ANTENNA reception!), then contact ics authors comes
the power company and ask this pragmatic,
Figure 4 - The source of internal AC intermediate-level guide to designing,
them to fix it ... demand it if building, and testing all types of radio
hash and harmonic noise in a receiver.
they balk. If it turns out to frequency circuits. Filled with func-
be an appliance, then either tional projects that demonstrate the
principles of RF circuits, this revision
the appliance needs repair of a bestseller also provides a handy
RF REST OF RECEIVER or some sort of filtering is parts list and sources of components.
AMPLIFIER CIRCUITS needed.
A1 Unless it is your appli- PRACTICAL
ance, I recommend having a ANTENNA
A2 professional technician actu-
CHASSIS GROUND BUS
ally do the work. If you do
HANDBOOK
.-,,e most popu-
I the necessary work on your 1 lar book on an-
GND I
neighbor's appliance, then tennas ever writ-

1
I
I you will be "married to it" if ten, widely known
as "the antenna

~~ Cs 1__ _ anything at all goes wrong


even in the distant future
(some people will use any
builder's bible."
This Third Edition is a work for
anyone with an interest in antennas,
I I from the newest of novices to the

p
1 excuse to get someone else most experienced engineer. This
I EXTERNAL EARTH GROUND
------------
1 · / to pick up their tab). empowering book gives you all kinds
of projects and material that explains
why what you did works.
WALL
J1
D Things To Do At
OUTLET
Your Receiver As a paid subscriber to
Nuts & Volts, you'll receive 10% off
You may or may not be
the list price!!
(See ad on page 46 for ordering details and
able to do something about other titles currently avaHable.)

Nuts & Volts Magazine/MAY 2000 77


]}ijjU:)iJJ J:JUJ>J.JJJ!JJ HU
Dealing With AC Power Line EMI

common ground problem, but if the receiver is battery


impedances (RG). powered, the problem is easier. My
Assume first that favorite general coverage receiver
the external antenna is has a DC connector on the rear panel
RECEIVER
attached to A 1, and to allow it to be operated from a 12-
that both A2 and GND volt battery source. Disconnect the
AC are not connected . In receiver from the AC power line and
POWER
this circumstance, the operate it from the battery. If the
AC LINE ground loop voltage noise leyel drops appreciably, then
CORD
developed across RG is suspect the entrance path is the
seen as a valid signal by power cord.
the receiver. The radio One of the easiest ways to deal
chassis is eventually with the problem is to use only as
grounded to earth, but much power cord as needed to reach
FERRITE _ ___....
_ through the power the outlet. Coil the rest of the cord
ROD connectors (P 1 and J 1), into a six-inch diameter loop as close
to the power line to the chassis as possible.
ground at the service A species of "RF choke" can be
entrance to the build- built using the approaches of Figures
ing . Because of wire 5, 6, and 7. The simplest approach is
resistance, connector to wrap the receiver's AC power cord
blade resistance, and around a ferrite rod (Figure 5) as
the fact that your ser- close as possible to the power
vice entrance ground entrance on the rear panel of the
might be poor for RF, receiver.
the value of RG can get Any of several ferrite rods can be
quite high . used, but the Amidon Associates
a generic shortwave or scanner The antenna terminals include The solution : add an external R61-050-750 is appropriate. Wrap as
receiver with a three terminal anten- A 1 and A2, which lead to the anten- ground connection to the receiver many turns as will fit onto the 7.5-
na connector (Figure 4). na input circuitry, and GND which is the way the instruction manual told inch rod, and then secure them with
the chassis ground you to do - strap A2 to GND, and tape (they have a tendency to come
(and zero-signal com- then through a heavy conductor to a unwrapped) . There should be
mon). There is normally proper ground rod buried in the enough cord left to plug into the out-
a coupling path earth. That may eliminate a large let, but even if you have to use an
between the AC power part of the power line hash without extension cord, wrap as many turns
wiring and the chassis further work. as will fit onto the rod .
of the receiver. A superior approach to the same
The capacitance AC Power Cord Chokes idea is to use a toroid core as shown
between the AC power in Figure 6. Use one of the larger
wiring and the chassis Now let's assume that the receiv- toroid cores (the kind used for mak-
forms a path, repre- er is properly grounded, but that a ing kilowatt and up BALUN trans-
sented by capacitor CS high noise level still exists. It may be formers) so that the relatively thick
in Figure 4. This means that the RF components are riding coaxial cable can be accommodated.
that noise-laden AC is into the receiver via the power lines, Wrap as many turns of the power
passed onto the receiv- and then radiated into the sensitive cord as possible onto the toroid core.
er chassis, where it can circuitry. The way to deal with this Note one thing well, however, with
be coupled into the RF problem is to eliminate them before the power plug connected this might
amplifier and the rest they enter the receiver cabinet. be impossible to do. If you don't
of the circuit due to It is often hard to diagnose this want to modify the power cord, then

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78 MAY 2000/Nuts & Volts Magazine Write In 31 on Reader Service Card. Write In 32 on Reader Service Card.
(f)UJ(f)UJ (j)!J)f1JWUJ0!J
Dealing With AC Power Line EMI

Figure 7 - EMI choke fashioned by clamping


ferrite blocks onto the AC power cord.
!----- - r~~ ----1 ---1 ~-

HOT :
0I
I LLU.J
~~
L1A I ~
I
HOT

9 I~ I
NEUTRAL NEUTRAL

GROUND
h C2 C4n
? GROUND

~-1---~-------~---l __ j
Figure 8 - AC power line EMI L-C low-pass
RECEIVER
filter (see warning in text).
ONE OR MORE
AC POWER FERRITE BLOCKS
LINE CORD age rating of 125 volts but the local power company. could
AC, and 1,400 volts DC not find any problem.
(tested to at least 2,800 That winter, a strange thing
volts DC). Electronic started happening with the lights in
parts catalogs are a my home. Whenever any heavy cur-
good guide to suitable rent drain (refrigerator, freezer, fur-
types of capacitor. nace) would turn on, the lights
SAFETY NOTE: would nearly double in brightness.
Working with AC power Notice anything odd? Lights should
you might want to either use the fer- problem of EMI carried into the lines is dangerous. Accidental con- dim, not get brighter, when a heavy
rite rod approach, or a ferrite block receiver on the AC power line is tact with the line can kill you. load is turned on.
as shown in Figure 7. shown in Figure 8. The idea here is to Improper wiring or a bad selection of This time, the power company
Two views of a ferrite split block use a low-pass filter in series with the components, or improper construc- did find a problem. The technician
are shown in Figure 7A. These blocks AC power line so that the RF compo- tion methods can create both electric came to the Carr house about 1O
come in two halves, each of which is nents are snubbed out, leaving the shock and fire hazards. It is highly o'clock one evening, when the effect
notched such that when put togeth- 60 Hz to pass unimpeded . recommended by the author, editor, was nearly constant, and found that
er they form a hole. The application Several filter designs are popular. and publisher that you select a com- the neutral line connection to my AC
of these blocks is shown in Figure 7B. Some of them use separate pi-sec- mercially made, UL approved AC line power line service was loose.
The blocks are clamped onto the tion filters in both the hot and neu- RF filter made for this purpose rather The fellow raised his "cherry
receiver's AC power cord as close as tral lines, while the other uses a pair than homebrew your own. If your picker" basket up to the power pole,
possible to the rear panel of the of coupled coils in a common mode receiver uses the same kind of square at the point where my service tap
receiver. Once the blocks are arrangement such as Figure 8. AC power receptacle that IS found was located, and used the largest
clamped together, they can be This design uses a ferrite rod . on computers, then you can find a crimping tool I've ever seen to repair
secured with tape. In some cases, such as the Amidon Associates R61 - replacement for the chassis recepta- the connection. The lights went back
only a single split block is needed 050-750 to form L1A and L1B. The cle that has an EMI filter built in. to normal, which was a blessing.
but, in severe cases, two or more turns are wrapped onto the cord But the next evening, I noticed
split blocks may be added in series. with a size of AC power wire appro- Special Case that the S-8 noise level was down
These blocks act like RF chokes, so priate to the size. For the maximum somewhere near decimal dust ... the
will snub the higher frequency com- power levels, use #12 AWG solid About five years ago, I had a hash was gone. I suspect that the
ponents while not affecting the 60 wire intended for AC power wiring problem at my house that created loose connection was causing the
Hz AC power. applications. The turns for L1A and AC power line hash in great quanti- hash all along. Indeed, the power
Ferrite split blocks are available L1B are wound in the bifilar manner ties, and also affected my AC power company could have fixed the service
in a number of sizes and shapes to (Figure 9). service. For several years, I listened to problem earlier if they had taken the
accommodate a number of different The capacitors used in the filter an evening shortwave broadcast in EMI problem seriously. The hash was
forms of cord. Some are flat to allow of Figures 8 and 9 should be rated the 5-6 MHz band, and on Saturday merely a prodomal symptom of the
clamping onto computer ribbon for 125 volt AC service. Ordinary 600 night to WSM in Nashville (650 KHz service problem!
cable, in case a digital device such as volt or 1,000 volt capacitors are not AM) ... good country music is where
a computer is the noise culprit. suitable because they are not rated you find it {There! I'm out of the clos- Conclusion
for constant application of 125 volts et ... a Carr's a hillbilly music fan!) .
AC Power Line Filters AC power line voltage. A typical rat- The hash started one summer, AC power line harmonics and
ing for C1 through C4 is 0.0047 µF and continued into the fall, ruining spark hash can create havoc with
Another way to deal with the to 0.05 µF (0.01 µF typical) at a volt- many evenings of listening. It had an radio reception. But with the meth-
average sig- ods discussed in this article, you will
nal strength be able to overcome many of these
of 57 to 58 problems. NV
on my Drake
R-8 receiver
S-meter. I
suspected
that the
problem was
on the
Figure 9 - Construction of the power line EMI filter.
power ·pole,

Nuts & Volts Magazine/MA'i 2000 79

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