[Bricktownguy]

Hello Forum.

I had a question that I was a bit puzzled about.

I have surround sound in my living room. The speaker wires run through the attic.

There is a light switch that I use to power on and off some canned recessed lighting.

When I power on and off the switch.... sometime I hear some static type noise through the surround sound speakers. (for a brief second)

What would cause this noise?

How can I prevent this from happening?

 

[MrElectricianTV]

Hello Forum.

I had a question that I was a bit puzzled about.

I have surround sound in my living room. The speaker wires run through the attic.

There is a light switch that I use to power on and off some canned recessed lighting.

When I power on and off the switch.... sometime I hear some static type noise through the surround sound speakers. (for a brief second)

What would cause this noise?

How can I prevent this from happening?

What kind of bulbs are in the recessed lights?

Have you noticed the lights flickering or blinking?

Is it a dimmer switch or just a regular wall switch?

Are the speaker wires coming in contact with the lights or the wiring for the lights?

 

[Bricktownguy]

LED BR30 bulbs now.. but had normal BR30 bulbs before and it happened then as well.

NO flickering. NO blinking.

Regular wall switch.

Are the speaker wires coming in contact with the lights or the wiring for the lights? Should not be.. .as the home was built a few years ago. They might be near one another in the attic. (with sheathing over the electrical wires of course)

 

[MrElectricianTV]

LED BR30 bulbs now.. but had normal BR30 bulbs before and it happened then as well.

NO flickering. NO blinking.

Regular wall switch.

Are the speaker wires coming in contact with the lights or the wiring for the lights? Should not be.. .as the home was built a few years ago. They might be near one another in the attic. (with sheathing over the electrical wires of course)

It could be as simple as the arc at the switch when it opens and closes. Might be a loose connection there also. You could try installing a better quality wall switch such as a commercial grade model.

 

[Bricktownguy]

I know some about electricity but not alot.

What can I do to prevent the arc ?

I will check for loose connection.

better quality switch like... here? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...t-Toggle-Switch-White-R52-0CSB1-2WS/202035005

 

[danpik]

The arc is happening between the copper contacts inside the switch. Lesser grade switches doe this more often that better quality ones do. Basically what is happening is every time the contacts pull apart from each other there is a small spark that is jumping the gap untill the contacts are far enough apart from each other.

Here is a video showing the arc on a very large scale.

This is not the size of arc that is happening inside your switch but gives a general idea of what happens. Your arc is closer to a static shock size.

 

[Bricktownguy]

so... I should try replacing it with something like this?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...5001rw&cm_mmc=CJ-_-6158626-_-11210757&cj=true


But, what would cause the noise in the speakers? The switch is a light switch... not related to speakers.

 

[McSteve]

The arc is generating a burst of RF noise, which is being picked up and amplified by some component of your stereo system. See if it still happens with all input cables disconnected from your receiver/amplifier. It may be as simple as replacing a particular input cable with a better-shielded version.