During the winter months when we have our Combi boiler running both the hot water and central heating, we get a interruption in our electrics. We've only seen it effect the TV and radio, however if we run the hot water tap for around 15-seconds the interruption goes away. When it interrupts the TV the channels freeze as though the reception is bad, this affects watching channels on Virgin, Sky and normal TV aerial. When heating is not on and the boiler is only used for hot water, there is no problem.We are going mad over this, please can someone help?
It indeed sounds like you have Electrical Interference from your Combi.. It sounds a little strange as to how it is happening... When a Combi is running the heating, the 'Closed' part of the system is being used and hot water is being pumped around you radiators.... When you turn on the hot tap, a valve known as the 'Diverter Valve' activates after a few seconds and the 'Open' part of the system is then used to supply hot water to your taps (being replaced with cold water from the supply)... So it sounds like your Interference is stopped when the 'Open' side of the system is in use!... This is strange! Usually Interference comes from either the switching over, the fan in the 'Exchange unit', or the pump... so maybe you are getting Interference from the Pump?... The first thing you need to ensure is that the Boiler is properly grounded to Earth!... All the entry and exit pipes should be tagged together with earthing-straps and connected to a good electrical Earth! This should reduce any Interference significantly! The Boiler will sometimes be on it's own electrical circuit, again this may have an Earthing fault... You would need to consult a good Electrician for advice about this! Another thing to check out are the signal cables between the various components of your TV setup... Try unplugging and re-seating all your cables... Also tidying the cables together and keeping away from electrical supply cables or even the pipework of your heating system may help! It may even be worth investing in better quality cables for your equipment... the ones that have a built-in ferrite filter (like used on some computer/games equipment)... These may help to eliminate any final traces of Interference! Hope this is of Help! `
It could be the amp draw of the boiler. The boilers will ramp up and ramp down, that may have an affect. The boiler is supposed to be wired in on its own independent circuit breaker, that is generally the code here in the states. Have a licensed tech take a look at the wiring. good luck
Suppressors can be fitted to boilers to prevent radio interference when they switch on and off. These usually consist of an encapsulated series connected resistor and capacitor. These will perform their function if connected across the gas valve.
Do you have a wireless room thermostat? perhaps the frequency of this is causing the interference.
