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Antique Bulb Discussion / Re: Radio Frequency Interference from Incandescent Lamps?
« Last post by andrewdeandrade on December 11, 2019, 03:05:19 pm »So, I'm not sure if anyone will see this thread since it's been over 10 years since it was last commented in, but I came across this exact RFI issue with Edison bulbs running at 110V mains. Basically, I was setting up my terminal and getting a strong buzz through my tonearm. After much trial and error, I isolated the problem to some Edison bulbs.
I'm going to include some links to videos I took.
This video shows the hum mostly disappearing when I turn off the squirrel cage Edison bulbs:
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FAaR5xrfZ_w8P8d7XqFPxdTfpJe6YARTD7sfNVA193HXnDonqa9VvWIzu%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DArS2MW5F5jyDgM7MZ0UijbckA7qFfmEy4YLOi5fzg0tF%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogwRhIMwlYchIsff68mIJC4a7NjEPXrX-ETGcAdx0f_4MSJxDussWc7y0Y7sLA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_CEgpeFIE6SXumFoEb1iM7g%26e%3D1578636419%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3D828C5B5E-B509-49DA-8E9E-A3F3963AFD96-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3D5kkD9-Aco5Pvb60hQBE9l8JpqfI&uk=EyvrKQT00me00uJaAk4ywQ&f=Video_1.mov&sz=1086505
This video shows the hum amplified when I touch the light fixture in which the bulbs are installed:
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FAVi3Gb2n-Q0i6i51oLenhF_IQfWPAU5jF_jx_W4hvK55I_qlQ7OJ1kgp%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAiNFnC91KL5daYrkfEUwzfOjCrmuvBVtQmN4KXoYYmdA%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAog5O40VHdO_YuPtAfxfb8w52ENHgzyov2klU0LgE3IoV0SJxCKtcWc7y0YisXA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_IeJ631IEyEH1j1oEidZIKQ%26e%3D1578636419%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3DC0893FC6-F83C-49BD-A236-943690D0BCCA-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3Dii-PG9t7PVv8dTN7bZxz_0LCM8A&uk=mgQiqcBtFSp0T96KbrxiCQ&f=Video.mov&sz=1905515
Here's a video I took where I place some aluminum foil over the tonearm. When the foil touches the large aluminum platter, it appears to help act as an RFI sink and reduces the amount of RFI in the tonearm
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FAVrtGWYTA_c2IsryI-8mhH9xZMbPAdOIgf2g2Fg_hCCjuNEaX016k-ya%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAleEVFVAYjof6bbArWaf50VR3JQJPc0nFJAi3xJZ87-U%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogNIkMBLywGqPhrb1z6akc5mR-8Ev5l8sQB5gC5znv01ASJxDVt8Wc7y0Y1cfA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_SAcNe1IEcWTGz1oEepPsmg%26e%3D1578636420%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3D7470E5F0-F3D8-4452-B16D-3F24DD91842D-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3D3g7LTQaShEK3r3zfo-RdJIRTqnQ&uk=lpYhGbxijbW5Ts4vSdZl2Q&f=Video_2.mov&sz=10473049
Here are a few other videos of experiments to try and figure out what was causing the RFI:
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FAdTufidMtk9W_ZsVgN9eiZIqHnQLAR9NNBIPbeqoLV89NadoN10sbNqX%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAr0vQGb2n2Opcn809US58QYua2R9E_7lZiGxoCunlbhh%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogBSfD87HAJzK0Xn84WWkZnmspCcluCDrndlxjTGi13IwSJxD2s8Wc7y0Y9sPA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_ERO8U1IEKh50C1oELGzalw%26e%3D1578636419%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3D63D3FFFD-C39E-4782-9EFC-7D4BE13058FE-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3DTHlQtK1ce_yPzNRCICHXMCkQo14&uk=KbCoNgzdjd-V_UXObJinzQ&f=Video_3.mov&sz=5278028
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FASoVGBi3FTH-CvEvcoX2dx_MjTt1AUUiSTQ7senxr_i06yS2QDaneeQ8%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAquKsU5rG4UlICfIZWtQEYEqzyBOYKQ-9fnicPVSxRbS%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogfLzy1KSpLmCbBVHIrRqKQILEWHen-ZpLU6Xpn7tFhzQSJxDmtsWc7y0Y5sbA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_WbznX1IEzI07dVoEp3nkPA%26e%3D1578636419%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3D56C3C916-4650-4889-8424-230482F7E4B5-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3DcpLm5ilOahlVnwn5N4jQfOVxAk4&uk=-HPB8fsvrYJ_rU-uGL61xw&f=Video_4.mov&sz=15021729
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FAWJiLLWZxE9gvuQmBT-HA--oBvreAc55PK8HTwFV40ex-tcqdahacnHP%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAkTGhcOwjmIRzdebke_BA_4dugDPQ1nnQ0C0iQEICNUh%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogKwhXQDQJ43Ausep95VelzGctxkF1IMv_hPkdRE_00PsSJxCCtsWc7y0YgsbA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_ekK281IEqAb63loEWnJxzw%26e%3D1578636419%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3DEDCE10D7-CBDC-441C-9188-2CFBF62093F7-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3DlNhgsgkMw61-WXmMCsVs6-Kp7YI&uk=8CqKaS20BxOPY21iygf3EQ&f=Video_5.mov&sz=4233650
If these links those work, I'll see if I can upload them elsewhere. Unfortunately. *.mov files can't be uploaded here.
In the spirit of contributing to the knowledge here, the bulbs have no markings on them except 120V/60W etched in the brass bass. They are most likely brand new bulbs bought by the homeowner (I rent) and the have a filament that zig zags 12 times (there is a six-pronged filament support at the end of the bulb). This is the most similar one I could find online: https://www.colorcord.com/products/edison-vintage-light-bulb?variant=12363324719206
I don't know if there is any gas in them or if they are a vacuum, but I would guess that these have a vacuum as they are cheap modern reproductions.
If anyone wants to do any experimentation here let me know. If anyone knows if there is a way to solve the RFI without replacing the bulbs let me know. If the only option is to replace the bulbs, what kinds of bulbs maintain the same look and feel but don't have an RFI problem. If I need to replace them, I'm happy to send them to anyone who might want one. I have 5.
I'm going to include some links to videos I took.
This video shows the hum mostly disappearing when I turn off the squirrel cage Edison bulbs:
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FAaR5xrfZ_w8P8d7XqFPxdTfpJe6YARTD7sfNVA193HXnDonqa9VvWIzu%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DArS2MW5F5jyDgM7MZ0UijbckA7qFfmEy4YLOi5fzg0tF%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogwRhIMwlYchIsff68mIJC4a7NjEPXrX-ETGcAdx0f_4MSJxDussWc7y0Y7sLA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_CEgpeFIE6SXumFoEb1iM7g%26e%3D1578636419%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3D828C5B5E-B509-49DA-8E9E-A3F3963AFD96-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3D5kkD9-Aco5Pvb60hQBE9l8JpqfI&uk=EyvrKQT00me00uJaAk4ywQ&f=Video_1.mov&sz=1086505
This video shows the hum amplified when I touch the light fixture in which the bulbs are installed:
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FAVi3Gb2n-Q0i6i51oLenhF_IQfWPAU5jF_jx_W4hvK55I_qlQ7OJ1kgp%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAiNFnC91KL5daYrkfEUwzfOjCrmuvBVtQmN4KXoYYmdA%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAog5O40VHdO_YuPtAfxfb8w52ENHgzyov2klU0LgE3IoV0SJxCKtcWc7y0YisXA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_IeJ631IEyEH1j1oEidZIKQ%26e%3D1578636419%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3DC0893FC6-F83C-49BD-A236-943690D0BCCA-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3Dii-PG9t7PVv8dTN7bZxz_0LCM8A&uk=mgQiqcBtFSp0T96KbrxiCQ&f=Video.mov&sz=1905515
Here's a video I took where I place some aluminum foil over the tonearm. When the foil touches the large aluminum platter, it appears to help act as an RFI sink and reduces the amount of RFI in the tonearm
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FAVrtGWYTA_c2IsryI-8mhH9xZMbPAdOIgf2g2Fg_hCCjuNEaX016k-ya%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAleEVFVAYjof6bbArWaf50VR3JQJPc0nFJAi3xJZ87-U%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogNIkMBLywGqPhrb1z6akc5mR-8Ev5l8sQB5gC5znv01ASJxDVt8Wc7y0Y1cfA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_SAcNe1IEcWTGz1oEepPsmg%26e%3D1578636420%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3D7470E5F0-F3D8-4452-B16D-3F24DD91842D-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3D3g7LTQaShEK3r3zfo-RdJIRTqnQ&uk=lpYhGbxijbW5Ts4vSdZl2Q&f=Video_2.mov&sz=10473049
Here are a few other videos of experiments to try and figure out what was causing the RFI:
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FAdTufidMtk9W_ZsVgN9eiZIqHnQLAR9NNBIPbeqoLV89NadoN10sbNqX%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAr0vQGb2n2Opcn809US58QYua2R9E_7lZiGxoCunlbhh%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogBSfD87HAJzK0Xn84WWkZnmspCcluCDrndlxjTGi13IwSJxD2s8Wc7y0Y9sPA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_ERO8U1IEKh50C1oELGzalw%26e%3D1578636419%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3D63D3FFFD-C39E-4782-9EFC-7D4BE13058FE-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3DTHlQtK1ce_yPzNRCICHXMCkQo14&uk=KbCoNgzdjd-V_UXObJinzQ&f=Video_3.mov&sz=5278028
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FASoVGBi3FTH-CvEvcoX2dx_MjTt1AUUiSTQ7senxr_i06yS2QDaneeQ8%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAquKsU5rG4UlICfIZWtQEYEqzyBOYKQ-9fnicPVSxRbS%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogfLzy1KSpLmCbBVHIrRqKQILEWHen-ZpLU6Xpn7tFhzQSJxDmtsWc7y0Y5sbA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_WbznX1IEzI07dVoEp3nkPA%26e%3D1578636419%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3D56C3C916-4650-4889-8424-230482F7E4B5-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3DcpLm5ilOahlVnwn5N4jQfOVxAk4&uk=-HPB8fsvrYJ_rU-uGL61xw&f=Video_4.mov&sz=15021729
https://www.icloud.com/attachment/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcvws.icloud-content.com%2FB%2FAWJiLLWZxE9gvuQmBT-HA--oBvreAc55PK8HTwFV40ex-tcqdahacnHP%2F%24%7Bf%7D%3Fo%3DAkTGhcOwjmIRzdebke_BA_4dugDPQ1nnQ0C0iQEICNUh%26v%3D1%26x%3D3%26a%3DCAogKwhXQDQJ43Ausep95VelzGctxkF1IMv_hPkdRE_00PsSJxCCtsWc7y0YgsbA8PgtIgEAKggByAD_ekK281IEqAb63loEWnJxzw%26e%3D1578636419%26k%3D%24%7Buk%7D%26fl%3D%26r%3DEDCE10D7-CBDC-441C-9188-2CFBF62093F7-1%26ckc%3Dcom.apple.largeattachment%26ckz%3DFE5EBBA6-773B-41AB-8D30-A5F523FE5BA2%26p%3D52%26s%3DlNhgsgkMw61-WXmMCsVs6-Kp7YI&uk=8CqKaS20BxOPY21iygf3EQ&f=Video_5.mov&sz=4233650
If these links those work, I'll see if I can upload them elsewhere. Unfortunately. *.mov files can't be uploaded here.
In the spirit of contributing to the knowledge here, the bulbs have no markings on them except 120V/60W etched in the brass bass. They are most likely brand new bulbs bought by the homeowner (I rent) and the have a filament that zig zags 12 times (there is a six-pronged filament support at the end of the bulb). This is the most similar one I could find online: https://www.colorcord.com/products/edison-vintage-light-bulb?variant=12363324719206
I don't know if there is any gas in them or if they are a vacuum, but I would guess that these have a vacuum as they are cheap modern reproductions.
If anyone wants to do any experimentation here let me know. If anyone knows if there is a way to solve the RFI without replacing the bulbs let me know. If the only option is to replace the bulbs, what kinds of bulbs maintain the same look and feel but don't have an RFI problem. If I need to replace them, I'm happy to send them to anyone who might want one. I have 5.