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Topic: Preventing mains contamination from PWM DC Motor Controller

User: stebbo, Location: Sydney

Asked on: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 5:21 am EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 6:04 am EDT

Question: Situation: household treadmill taking out DSL internet when motor running.A bit of research on it has revealed it's quite a common problem. Noise from the chopping back into the mains, mains acts as an antennae throughout the entire house and it's picked up by the phone lines. I even read one case where the neighbor's treadmill was taking down his internet.I called a well-known manufacturer of surge protectors/isolators as to what exactly I'd need but generic support staff just tell you the obvious.Any suggestions as to what is needed?

Troubleshooting Steps

1.

Identify the Issue

Verify that the treadmill is the cause by turning it off and checking if the internet issue persists.2.

Try a Line Filter

Install a line filter specifically designed for DSL connections on the phone line near the treadmill. This can help attenuate electrical noise.3.

Use a Whole-House Surge Protector

Install a whole-house surge protector to suppress voltage spikes and transients that may be interfering with the DSL signal.4.

Isolate the Treadmill

Move the treadmill to a different location or circuit breaker, if possible. This can help reduce the noise being transmitted through the electrical system.5.

Check for Grounding Issues

Ensure that the treadmill is properly grounded. Poor grounding can cause electrical noise.

Recommended Surge Protectors/Isolators



Belkin SurgeCube Home Surge Protector

Offers multiple outlets with surge protection and line filtering capabilities.


APC Essential SurgeArrest Home/Office Surge Protector

Provides surge protection and noise reduction for electronic devices.

Tripp Lite ISOBAR Command Center Power Strip

Features isolated filter banks to suppress electrical noise.


Furman Power Conditioner

Premium-grade power conditioners designed to provide clean, filtered power and noise isolation.

Additional Tips:
Use a treadmill mat to absorb vibrations that can transmit electrical noise. Consider a treadmill that uses a DC motor instead of an AC motor, as they generally produce less electrical noise.* Contact your internet service provider (ISP) for further assistance if the issue persists. Flag for review

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