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Re: [RFI] Noise Level During Power Outage

To: rfi@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RFI] Noise Level During Power Outage
From: Pete Smith N4ZR <pete.n4zr@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2023 17:07:26 -0500
List-post: <mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
Very interesting and timely (at least for me).  I am at the beginning of an extensive basement redo, which will involve on the order of a dozen round 6-watt equivalent LED lights in the ceiling.  I was concerned about the same sort of problem, so I bought one example and plugged it into an outlet strip on my operating desk.  I could find no RFI anywhere in HF (or rather nothing that turned on and off with the light fixture).

For anyone who wants to know, the light I tested is a Commercial Electric 6" recessed light kit.  It is made in Thailand and sold by Home Depot.  The item number is 1005 591 792.  The light itself feels like there is a transformer behind the LED panel - simply based on weight. I wrote to Commercial Electric to inquire, and the only response I got was, essentially, "Huh?"

Do those of you who understand such things, more than I do, think that I'm probably safe in going ahead with these units, based on my test?

73, Pete N4ZR

On 2/1/2023 4:22 PM, Gary NA6O via RFI wrote:
On 2/1/2023 4:52 AM, K9MA wrote:
Besides the preponderance of 120 Hz harmonics in the AM audio, the
very broadband nature of line noise is usually the main indicator.
120 Hz is also a strong component of electronic noise generated by
power supplies and power control equipment. The audio spectrum is not
a great clue -- the RF/IF waterfall shows where the bodies are buried.

73, Jim K9YC
_______________________________________________

That's true, but I have never seen broadband noise with 120 Hz harmonics
in the AM audio which was NOT power line noise. And, alas, I've seen a
lot of line noise.

73,

Scott K9MA

I have an LED fixture for you that produces 120 Hz buzz over decades of 
bandwidth, nearly indistinguishable from an arcing power line: The Elite RL675. 
Twenty-one of these, installed next door, resulted in a 1.5 year shootout 
including ARRL and the FCC and even after mitigation left my home station 
permanently QRT. Yes, it can be that bad... Full story is on my RFI page. Here 
are detailed measurements on said fixture:

https://na6o.com/main/RFI_files/Elite%20RL675%20RFI%20Test%20Report.pdf  
<https://na6o.com/main/RFI_files/Elite%20RL675%20RFI%20Test%20Report.pdf>
73,
Gary NA6O
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