Speakers crack when fridge turns on

[SneakyStuff]

Not really sure where to put this but since it involves my computer speakers and potential concerns regarding my system I figure this would be the place to start.

I recently moved into a new house and this is the way it is currently set up. crude drawing (yellow squares indicate outlets)

The fridge power strip and computer power strip are plugged into the same wall, and when the fridge turns on/off my computer speakers crack. I am assuming this might be a result of the fridge drawing too much power to turn on, and a friend has told me that it could be bad wiring in the house. Is there something cheap I can buy to solve this? Or would moving it to another wall help? I know it's obviously having an impact on my speakers but I am concerned about the monitor and tower as well. Thanks!!!

 

[TC91]

what kind of speakers do you have? I got an odd crackle/pop with my old cheap logitech 2.1 speakers whenever i turned on the light, but my z-5500's dont exhibit the same behaviour. I think some of the better soundcards out there can also prevent the speakers from popping/crackling when you turn something on.

I would try moving the computer or the fridge to a different outlet or wall in the house to see if it still happens (i doubt it will repeat though).

 

[MyLeftNut]

Get yourself a UPS and problem should be solved. It will regulate the power for whatever that's connected to the UPS and prevent it from dipping when there's a big power drain in your house.

 

[Leros]

I had a weird popping out of my computer speakers whenever I turned my lights on as well. This was about 12 years ago with the cheap crappy speakers that came with my NEC computer. Woot.

 

[0roo0roo]

kitchen should have its own circuit. many times its 20 amps vs 15 for other room circuits. move the pc power, not the fridge.

 

[Soundmanred]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
kitchen should have its own circuit. many times its 20 amps vs 15 for other room circuits. move the pc power, not the fridge.

I think this stuff is all in one room. Is it a mini-fridge?
All of the outlets in the room are probably on the same breaker (line) so moving the stuff around to a different outlet probably wouldn't help.
I used to have a small fan blown heater in my office at work, and when it would switch on my monitor would flicker, the speakers would crackle and my USB hub would stop working until I unplugged it and plugged it back in...

 

[SneakyStuff]

Originally posted by: MyLeftNut
Get yourself a UPS and problem should be solved. It will regulate the power for whatever that's connected to the UPS and prevent it from dipping when there's a big power drain in your house.

What exactly is a UPS?

Also to answer some questions it is a mini-fridge and the speakers are a pair of Altec Lansing 2.1's from a year or two ago. They are also plugged in first on the power strip.

edit: and I would plug my computer system and speakers into the UPS correct?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff

What exactly is a UPS?

"Uninterruptible Power Supply"

Get one with AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation)

 

[MyLeftNut]

Yes, you plug the system and the speakers into the UPS. You would probably need a UPS with a large enough output though as the speakers draw a lot of watts.

 

[SneakyStuff]

Is there potential damage to be caused here? My LCD monitor doesn't seem to be affected by the fridge and neither does the tower itself. Are the speakers the only thing I should be worried about?

edit: and is there anything I can do in terms of making a report to the property management service that I rent my house from?

 

[Blain]

Is the cracking originating with your speakers or your sound card?

 

[SneakyStuff]

Originally posted by: Blain
Is the cracking originating with your speakers or your sound card?

I'm not really sure how to test that? Maybe power down my computer and unplug it from the power strip, leaving only the speakers in and powered on?

 

[Leros]

If you get a UPS, you might as well plug your computer and monitor into it for protection.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff

Originally posted by: Blain
Is the cracking originating with your speakers or your sound card?

I'm not really sure how to test that? Maybe power down my computer and unplug it from the power strip, leaving only the speakers in and powered on?

Disconnect the Speakers and try headphones.

 

[SneakyStuff]

It is the speakers, and I was also reading on a home theater board where someone had a similar problem. This was suggested by a poster:

"Go to a Home Depot or Home Base and look for a surge device. (approx. $30) What it does is reduce the current drawn when your compressor motor kicks on. This will greatly help your problem and adds life to your frig., thus keeping ample supply of micro-brewed beer nice and frosty.

Oh yeah, it's not very big and goes into your wall and the frig. cord goes into it.
It's near the electrical stuff."

What type of "surge device" is he talking about?

 

[xtknight]

Same exact thing happens to me as I have a small fridge next to me on the same outlet. I'm pretty sure it's the speakers themselves and not the sound card sending something.

 

[Soundmanred]

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff
It is the speakers, and I was also reading on a home theater board where someone had a similar problem. This was suggested by a poster:

"Go to a Home Depot or Home Base and look for a surge device. (approx. $30) What it does is reduce the current drawn when your compressor motor kicks on. This will greatly help your problem and adds life to your frig., thus keeping ample supply of micro-brewed beer nice and frosty.

Oh yeah, it's not very big and goes into your wall and the frig. cord goes into it.
It's near the electrical stuff."

What type of "surge device" is he talking about?

He's probab ly talking about a surge protector, like a "power strip".
I can't imagine why that would help in any way.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff

Originally posted by: MyLeftNut
Get yourself a UPS and problem should be solved. It will regulate the power for whatever that's connected to the UPS and prevent it from dipping when there's a big power drain in your house.

What exactly is a UPS?

Also to answer some questions it is a mini-fridge and the speakers are a pair of Altec Lansing 2.1's from a year or two ago. They are also plugged in first on the power strip.

edit: and I would plug my computer system and speakers into the UPS correct?

I had this happen in my college dorm room.

To fix it, I moved my speakers up higher. They were on the same plane as the fridge, originally (at least, the sub was, and it was crackling). Put your sub on a cinder block and see what happens. Probably the shape of the magnetic field the compressor motor generates?

 

[Quiksilver]

Does the problem remain if you move the fridge off the same circuit?
Personally, I think you should get a UPS if your going to run speakers and a fridge off the same circuit.