I have a 42" Toshiba DLP and noticed some audio interference when my refridgerator's compressor kicks on. It does not stop until the compressor turns off. Is there anything I can do to combat the issue? The Tv is already on a basic surge protector. Do I need a better one? Please Help.

I have a 42" Toshiba DLP and noticed some audio interference when my refridgerator's compressor kicks on. It does not stop until the compressor turns off. Is there anything I can do to combat the issue? The Tv is already on a basic surge protector. Do I need a better one? Please Help.

If it is a humming/buzzing noise, then it is a ground loop issue. They can be really tough to find and fix. Make sure all your video/audio components are plugged into the same surge protector. Disconnect the cable tv connections to your TV/VCR/DVR and etc. If the hum goes away then the cable TV system may be the culprit. The cable TV must be bonded to the grounding system of your house via a grounding block. Typically the grounding block is mounted where the cable TV coax enters the house, and there is a wire connecting that block to an electric meter, fuse box, or a metal water pipe. If the connection is in poor shape, fix it. If it is absent contact your local cable company.

IMPORTANT!!! I'd also be concerned about the shock hazard of your fridge!

It could be leaking an excessive amount of current to ground which is causing your problem to begin with. Dying compressors often leak current to ground before they finally short out and fail. That's why all new window AC units contain integeral Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. If the electrical ground of the outlet for your for your fridge is bad, or your using a 2 prong "cheater" adapter, then there could be a significant voltage on the sheet metal of the fridge. If you touch your fridge with one hand and your stove, or sink with the other, you could recieve an electric shock, possibly even a fatal one. Don't be tempted to cut off the ground prong of your refrigerator to make the ground loop go away.

You could try getting a power conditioner like the APC LE1200, it filters current running into the tv and should eliminate your problem. I use them on my tvs and they keep the current constant even when the incoming electricity varies from the electric company, not just at my house.

Would running the coxial cable through a surge protector that all of the components of my av system are also plugged into reduce the issue. I had my cable box plugged into a different outlet and just put it one the surge protector. Im in an apartment so rewiring anything is not an option

Would running the coxial cable through a surge protector that all of the components of my av system are also plugged into reduce the issue. I had my cable box plugged into a different outlet and just put it one the surge protector. Im in an apartment so rewiring anything is not an option

Having the cable box on a different outlet, especially if it's on a different branch circuit most definately can cause a ground loop.

Some surge protectors with built in coax *might* ground the shield of the coax to the ground of your outlet and reduce the loop. You could use a 2 way cable splitter to hook the cable tv coax to both the cable box and the television. That will reduce the voltage difference between the cable box and TV.

If you have a stereo receiver that complicates things. I've connected a wire from the grounding screw on the splitter to a sheet metal screw on my stereo to knock out a ground loop between my tv and the stereo.

If the cause is your cable TV connection and nothing else works you can by a "Cable TV ground isolator". They are expensive though.