Did the Cable Guy Do It?


I recently had the cable tech come in to fix a problem with poor picture on some channels. He fixed that problem just fine by replacing the splitter outside and running new cable to the box. However, now I'm getting a loud humming sound when I fire up the receiver that is apparently being caused by the DVD player audio connection. Whe I disconnect the audio out from the dvd player it goes away (along with the sound). I tried replacing the cable to the dvd player, but that's not the problem. Any ideas what could be causing this? Could it be the dvd player?
tonyp54

Showing 1 response by jea48

Go outside and look where the cable company's cable attaches to the house. Do you see something that looks like a splitter with a wire connected to it. This a a lightning arrester. Does the wire that is connected to the arrester go to a ground rod driven close to the arrester. If yes more than likely this is your problem, a ground loop. Disconnect the wire from the arrester and see if the hum is gone. If is is gone you still will still need lightning protection. Run a new wire from the arrester to your main incoming water line. Use a water pipe ground clamp. If you cannot get to your main water line connect it to a cold water pipe of your water system.

Jim