Had an install where we retrofitted the customers new 50" Panasonic plasma above a fireplace. When all was hooked up there were lines moving up the screen. Checked my connections and wires. Even ran new wires directly to front input of plasma. Still same problem.
Called tech support and they said it was 60hz hum and that I needed a Isolation Transformer, to clean that outlet. This thing might have to sit on mantle according to customer who just spent all this money on tv. I tried every outlet in the house and still the same problem. I can adjust the speed of the lines by adjusting the dimmers in the house.

What are you guys doing with installs with regards for power problems and surge protection?

It just seems this newer equipment is more suseptible to problems.

Any help?

Is this problem occuring with all sources? I've found wavy lines to sometimes come from only the Digital Cable Boxes.
If not, i've used the Panamax inwall kit which has worked.
Mike

Have no exp with Panasonic plasma products... That said, we always run our own power back to our power conditioner with the stack (Usually a Monster Power HTS-2600 or above)... So far we haven't had any problems like you are referring to.

We have had problems with 60Hz rising bars on cable throughout the house (on myriad occasions over years and years), which almost always came back to the cable guy's lame attempt at 'grounding'...

Norm

Miketech
Yes it does happen with every component.


djnorm,
What exactly does the monster power do?

does it happen with every tv in house??

oex,

When we first installed the plasma the room was under construction. So at that time we hooked cable directly to back of plasma to rf connection. We did not notice it, but Panasonic tech support said that it would be possible not to see it with that type of signal as well as with composite or component which we have now. So the answer is no or maybe not.

What you are experiencing is caled a ground loop problem. There a numerous ways to correct the problem.

1. Use a Isolation Tranformer (Not a good solution for a plasma)
2. Use a Levition 5380 In-wall sugre protector with an isolated ground. (Available at any electical supply store - Greybar
3. Use the monster power Flat Panel surge protector HTFS1000 orHTFS500
4. Use the Panamax Surge protector MIW (Available at AVAD)
5. Un-hook the gorund on the AC receptcle (Not recommended because this ungorunds the TV although it will still work)
6. Use a ground eliminated which is an adapter that fits onto the 3 prong power cord and makes it into a 2 prong cord eliminating the ground. (Not Recommended)

The cheapest solution would be the Panamax MIW. My company has been using the Leviton 5380 for several years with excellent results. We have also used some of the Panax which is nice but the Levition dealer is right down hte street.

Mike

I believe the Monster piece DJNorm mentioned does the same as the Max inwall. You run an electrical line from the tv to the main surge protection unit. This approach has cured some problems for me.
What type of fireplace are we talking about, wood or gas?

Sounds like a ground loop problem from the cable system. Either fix the ground outside, or install a cable ground isolator at the main cable inlet to fix the whole house, or at the feed for the plasma or cable box.

Second one on this page: [Link: cencom94.com] is the one we use with good luck.

Good luck.

E. J.

charlieg -

herein lies the answer...

[Link: monstercable.com]

(not to sound too Godspell, or anything...;-))

Norm

Xantech Cable Ground Isolator 63400 (Ground Breaker). This definetly decrease the cbale signal causing the need for an amp. This is a common problem when in high-rise condiminiums where the cable is grounded in a control room and the condo in on a different (or there is resistence). This is a problem that has been around for years. It was never prevelant until TV's started to put a 3 pronged grounded cord on TV's. Interesting concept that an electrician friend explained to me a while back.

Mike

More proof that ground loops are the most misunderstood aspect of custom install.

If at all possible the AC outlet for the Plasma should be on the same circuit as the rest of the equipment. I prefer to bring the line back to a rack mounted Surgex but that can be difficult now that the install is complete.

Check the resistance between the coax shield and ground. As was mentioned before, the cable is rarely grounded at the point of entrance properly.

Even if it is the loop is so large that you will often have loop current on the cable line. This is the laws of physics, not something that was installed improperly. Simply disconnect the cable line from the TV or cable box and see if the hum bars go away. If they do then put in an isolation transformer and you will be fine.

This one is the best in the bussiness but it costs three times the other ones shown. Look at the frequency response and you will see one of the reasons it costs so much. About $50 retail but on a 5K plasma that seems pretty cheap to me.

[Link: jensen-transformers.com]

Why would you want to connect coax directly to the plasma? No cable box or sat box? Just curious.

Mark

defeat the ground on the power cord to the TV, it worked for me last time!

Yes by all means please use a ground lift adapter/cheater. Not only is this completely, totally and uterly illegal it's also just plain dangerous. You have just defeated the safety ground. Not something I would do in my own home, let alone a customers home. Please don't fry little johnny

I don't understand why those damn things are allowed on the market anymore.

DO NOT USE THEM EXCEPT AS A SHORT TERM TEST DEVICE.