Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2015 March 15

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March 15

Computer speakers high-pitched noise upon connection

When I plug-in my speakers and forget to turn off the system before (Edifier S730), I get some kind of VERY high-pitched and loud noise, which starts when the cable is very near from the audio port. Could this possibly damage the system? This doesn't happen that often.

Thanks. Matt714 (talk) 04:15, 15 March 2015 (UTC)

Sounds like (if you pardon the pun) that you have a ground loop (electricity) problem. If your computer/monitor/laser jet printer/scanner/etc., are all plugged into a single power strip --- then plug your S730 amp into a different mains socket. Plunging it into a different spur would help; here in the UK we have ring circuits but even plunging the amp into a different 'wall' socket (rather than the power strip) cures the problem. --Aspro (talk) 00:04, 16 March 2015 (UTC)

Actually damaged my speaker system yesterday after it happened once again while I was playing with my routers' cabling. (forgot to turn it off - good thing I'm on warranty) The system was actually connected directly to the wall socket, while the computer & co are connected to a power bar (itself connected to the second and last wall socket) -- I also have power bars connected on this power bar (apparently not good, but never affected anything). Are there adapters that protect against ground loops? Matt714 (talk) 23:17, 19 March 2015 (UTC)

This is pretty comprehensive: >http://www.google.co.uk/url?q=http://web.mit.edu/~jhawk/tmp/p/EST016_Ground_Loops_handout.pdf&sa=U&ei=rxsMVe7IBYL6PLTqgZAP&ved=0CCgQFjAD&usg=AFQjCNEK5SFaKZlwuty2WBt6x-8S-MYWTQ< UNDERSTANDING, FINDING, & ELIMINATING GROUND LOOPS. (not my capitals but MIT's)--Aspro (talk) 20:39, 20 March 2015 (UTC)