Popping Sound?

[ROBERT W. NEWLAND, JR.]

What makes a TV (or radio) "pop" when light switches are turned off/on? I was recently in a house (visiting, not inspecting) and noticed any time a switch was turned on/off you could hear it through the TV.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by rnewland

What makes a TV (or radio) "pop" when light switches are turned off/on? I was recently in a house (visiting, not inspecting) and noticed any time a switch was turned on/off you could hear it through the TV.

Couple of possibilites.

Bad signal to noise ratio

If a very week station is tuned in the receiver is more susceptible to local radio interference produced by the spark a switch makes when power is applied or interrupted.

Poor antennae to the radio

See above

It will be more noticeable on AM stations.

[ROBERT W. NEWLAND, JR.]

Actually it was on Satellite TV. Clear reception, etc. I was just curious if there could be something faulty with the home's electric system (grounds, etc).

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by rnewland

Actually it was on Satellite TV. Clear reception, etc. I was just curious if there could be something faulty with the home's electric system (grounds, etc).

It could be a grounding problem on the dish equipment.

I would call the satellite provider for advice.

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

Are you sure it's not your elbow? Mine's starting to do that and it's driving me nuts!

Jeff