FilterLinc recommendation?

[brad77]

After learning the hard way that you should over-estimate the amperage of devices connected through a FilterLinc, I'm not quite sure which device to get for my clothes dryer.

 

Today, I installed a 5 amp FilterLinc on my wine cellar (basically a large refrigerator) and quickly to blew the fuse in it. Testing with a Kill A Watt indicates that the cellar runs at no more than 3 amps, but the temporary spike when the compressor starts (which appears to last less than a second) was enough to pop the fuse.

 

My dryer is one of those gas types that runs on a standard 110-volt outlet. After spinning up, it draws about 6 amps. However in my tests, it peaked at around 16 amps for a split second upon starting up, which was enough to cause my Kill A Watt to chirp. I'm assuming that the Kill A Watt has a 15 amp fuse in it.

 

Knowing this, what is the best course of action for isolating any noise generated from the dryer? Are the fuses on the 10 amp FilterLinc slow enough that this shouldn't be a problem or am I asking for trouble? Would Smarthome's 15 amp plug-in filter work (it's apparently got a slow-blow field replaceable fuse)? Would this filter even work for INSTEON?

 

Any most importantly, should I even bother trying to isolate this appliance or am I wasting my time?

[Brian H]

Both the five and ten amp FilterLincs have a slow blow [time delay] fuse in them. The amount of surge current determines how fast it blows. With your five amp FilterLinc the starting current of the compressor was maybe 200% to 300% of its rating. That would blow it very fast.

 

The ten amp would have a 200% rating of twenty amps and may hold.

 

Personally I would go for the Act AF120 as it is rated for fifteen amps and also uses a slow blow fuse.

 

Both the FilterLinc and AF120 are X10 filters but many have found that they also work well for noise in the Insteon range.

 

It may not be noise but a signal sucking situation. If the dryer controls are electronic. Most have a built in line filter that prevents their electronics from spewing noise back on the power line. This filter absorbs X10 and Insteon signals. The added FilterLinc or AF120 stops their electronics from absorbing the signals.

 

In the X10 forums there are increasing reports of electronically controlled washers; dryers; refrigerators and furnace controls. Messing up power line signals.

 

The Kill A Watt has a fifteen amp rating. The chirp was most likely a friendly warning.

[brad77]

Thank you, Brian. This is very helpful. I will probably go with the A120 to be on the safe side. It's also a tad cheaper, which is a plus.

 

I was a bit unclear as to which filters work with INSTEON vs. X-10, and it's helpful to know that these work for both. According to the Wikipedia page on INSTEON, the powerline signals operate at 131.65 kHz which is well within the advertised range of 30-200 kHz on the A120.

 

Both the washer and dryer controls are electronic, so it very well may be a signal sucking situation as you say. I'll filter both machines to be sure.

 

Again, thanks for your help. The depth, breadth and usefulness of the knowledge on this forum consistently impresses me, and this is no exception.

[Brian H]

Glad it was of some assistance.

 

Yes there is a great amount of knowledge here and everyone is glad to share their experiences.