Need help this is driving me mad!

[liammc]

I'm no sparky but in looking for an answer my brother suggested a forum and I found this place.

The problem is in the last few months I'm getting a clicking/buzzing/fizzing noise which has a sort of 'rythm'.

This noise is coming from the Tellys,Microwave,Heating Timeswitches and Thermostats. It happens constantly throughout the day and stops at about 7.00pm. I dont know exactly when it starts in the morning but its before 6.00am.

My first reaction was that it must be related to the timeswitches if its starting and stopping the same time every day. So I have checked the times on the timeswitches and neither (I have 2, one for UFH and one for CH/HW) have times on them which coincide with this problem. Also they are set to automatic all the time anyway.

Can anyone suggest where to start looking before having someone come in costing a small fortune.

I had thought I should test to voltage at th consumer unit, would this be a good start?

Many thanks for reading.

edit: Just to add the house was completely rewired 4 years ago when it was extended. All work by a reputable professional sparky.

 

[Spudnik]

The scheme providers do not provide a warranty against workmanship, only compliance with the regs.

 

[S.A.F.C]

get the original sparky back as it sounds quite dangerous. If he's a decent sparky he should come back no problem.

s.a.f.c

 

[ian.settle1]

get the original sparky back as it sounds quite dangerous. If he's a decent sparky he should come back no problem.

s.a.f.c

Why is it anything to do with the original spark it was done 4 years ago and problem has started only in the last couple of months so what has it got to do with this spark?

 

[acvc]

Hi IanSettle1

Yeah i would definitely agree with you about not making any such assumptions, just trying to offer options.

It sounds like a TT installation, so could it be that case that

a)there's a fault with the transformer feeding liammc's installation, or/and

b) there has been some local electrical installation work done which is causing some kind of current fluctuation/cycle.

And could this be verified by switching on a single mcb with one steady load such as a toaster, and using a clamp meter to look for an oscillating current?

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

Why is it anything to do with the original spark it was done 4 years ago and problem has started only in the last couple of months so what has it got to do with this spark?

i hope people are saying get him back for his knowledge of the job not to hang him

 

[liammc]

Thanks everyone. Will get the spark out today or tomorrow. At least he can start with things. I have done the 'donky' work so to speak so he could work from that.

 

[liammc]

Ive had the spark out and he tested everything, cant find a problem. Got NEDL out and they cant find a problem. He reckons its interference.

 

[sparkyz21]

do you have an induction hob? i heard that induction hobs can cause some interference? normally with low voltage down lights. just an idea!

 

[liammc]

Quick update incase anyone is interested.

The noise stopped completely about 5weeks ago. I hadn't connected the 2 events at the time, but when it stopped was the same time that a street light over the road was fixed.

It started again yesterday and when I was walking the dog i noticed the street light flickering and immediately twigged what it was. I went home and listened to the noise from the telly whilst watching said light and the noise corresponded with the light flickering.

So there you have it!

 

[Spudnik]

And now you know why main bonding is important!!!

 

[hotXbun]

And now you know why main bonding is important!!!

Hmm, nothing wrong with a bit of light bonding

 

[liammc]

And now you know why main bonding is important!!!

I'm no sparky, I know what bonding is but what does it have to do with this? Sorry for my ignorance

 

[Yooj]

This is due to discharge lighting interference....similar phenomenon when you are in your car with the radio on (probably on MW or LW), and you notice interference to the radio signal when a motorbike/car goes by...Not all cars/bikes, but only some....This is due to the lack of suppression on the HT circuit.

Yooj

 

[Phil Mumford]

Or freeview

 

[Darkwood]

Think Yooj has hit the nail on the head, its a form of electro- magnetic interferance which when close by can induce interference in electronic circuits most people will be more familiar with a similar form when they put a mobile near a speaker you here the clicking when the phone communicates to verify the local antenni.

I will agree with Jason of the importance of bonding but in this rare occasion i will disagree with the honourable member the need for it to avoid this problem as in this case it wont make a difference if he had it or not as the interference is directly induced into the electronics from air born electro magnetic waves.