Line Noise

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What is Line Noise?

Line noise refers to unwanted and random electrical disturbances or interference that can occur in the electrical power supply AC current. These disturbances can manifest as variations in voltage, frequency, or waveform and can negatively impact the quality of the electrical power delivered to electronic devices.

What Causes Line Noise?

Line noise interference can happen for a variety of reasons such as arcing power lines, faulty electronics, radio-frequency interference (RFI) from high-frequency devices, and transient spikes generated by the operation of electronic switches, like switching on and off appliances. Occurrences of power surges and spikes from lighting storms can also introduce disturbances in the power lines.

What Are the Effects of Line Noise?

Line noise interference can result in many different symptoms depending on the situation. Noise can introduce glitches and errors into programs and files. Hard Drive components can be damaged. Televisions and computer screens can display interference as "static" or "snow," and audio systems experience increased distortion levels.

How to Fix or Reduce Line Noise?

Surge suppressors, Line conditioners, and UPS units include special noise filters that remove or reduce line noise. The amount of filtration is indicated in the technical specifications for each unit. Noise suppression is stated as the Decibel level (dB) at a specific frequency (kHz or MHz). The higher the dB, the greater the protection.

Be wary of "surge/noise suppressors" that don't provide this information. Some surge suppressors (Such as the Tripp Lite Isobar suppressors) take noise suppression to a new level with Isolated Filter Banks. These special banks prevent line noise generated from one device from traveling through the surge suppressor to interfere with other equipment.

Using a laser printer (a notorious source of line noise) connected to the same suppressor that powers a computer will not endanger the computer.

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