Popping sound from light switch

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M

mike james

New DJ
Mar 29, 2010
40
0
Ok guys I need your help. I am getting a loud popping sound from my speakers when I turn my rack light on and off. It doesn't do it every time, but most of the time.

I unpluged it from my power conditioner(everything is pluged into) and tried it on a different plug in by itself and still got the popping. I am surprised it still popped. The rack light doesn't have a grounded plug. Only has the 2 spades on the plug. Could that be the cause?

I want to keep using the light so how to fix it and stop the popping?

Thanks Mike
 
Does it only pop when turning on or off?

Or does it make the popping noise while it is left on?

Have you replaced the bulbs of a different or not recommended wattage?


I've never used rack lights I prefer to use a mini-mag light or a flashlight. One less thing in my amp case and one less thing to cause an issue.
 
It just does it when turned on or off. It's just like when it come from the factory, no different bulbs or anything.

I hate to leave it on all gig long. Would rather be able to turn it on and off as need, but can't use it like this now.
 
mike james said:
tried it on a different plug in by itself
Click to expand...

Was the plug on a separate breaker from the outlet your system was plugged into? Sounds like you have a bad ground or neutral.

If not you could have some arching from the switch. Try moving your lights away from your amps and see if you get the same problem. If it goes away you are getting interference from the rack light.

Go buy you one of these. They are nice to have for trouble shooting if you have problems at setup.

http://techrepublic.com.com/i/tr/downloads/images/protect_electrical/groundtest.jpg
 
Yes I run an extension cord to a different outlet on another breaker. And it still popped thru the speakers when turned on and off most times but not every time. The cord from the light is 2 prong so it's not grounded. Could I rewire with a grounded plug and put the ground wire attached to the light body? Would that get rid of the popping ?

Thank you for your help.
Mike
 
I would try those little rubber washers for your rack mount screws. place them between the frame of the rack ligt and the rack rails. also make sure thata the rack light frame is not touching any other fixture in your rack.
 
Bonding the metal parts of the light to ground may help. I'd try that first. You can do a quick test with an alligator clip wire between the light housing and ground.

If the lamps are incandescent, a dimmer control will eliminate the pop in your sound. Just turn the dimmer down when you don't need the light.

We had the same issue when we were using an inexpensive rack conditioner. One of those $99.00 things. We replaced it with a Furman later; that eliminated the pops in the sound.
 
I pulled it out of the rack and pluged it into a extension cord and different circuit and still got the pop. I don't get it. It was in my lap and not touching any of the rack or gear.

I have and use an expensive Furman power conditioner. I might have to go with the dimmer control if the wire to ground doesn't help. Ok I can do a quick test with an alligator clip wire to the light housing. But what should I hook to for the ground end?

Thanks for all the help,
Mike
 
Clip the ground end of the test lead to the chassis of an amp or other earth-grounded metal in the rack case. If that doesn't eliminate the pop you may have to go with the dimmer.

I used a dimmer in my old rig to control the rack face lighting. It worked very well, too. :)
 
I will try the grounding test tomorrow. If that doesn't work I'll pickup a dimmer from the hardware store. Thanks for all your help and input. I will report back how things progress.

Mike
 
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