New fluorescent fixtures can mess with radios

Antenna can strengthen signal

Font Size:

| Monday, February 4, 2008 3:45 PM CST | () comments

James and Morris Carey/The Associated Press

New fluorescent fixtures can mess with radio signals

By Morris and James Carey

Q: I work in a community building where we recently had new fluorescent fixtures installed in the ceiling. They are the new electronic ballast type, and now we’re having problems with interference noise when using radios. The engineers at the manufacturing company have given us tips that we used that haven’t helped, like plugging the radios into different outlets. Our electrician can’t find any additional problems. What can we do?

A: The fluorescent lighting is creating a magnetic field that can break down radio waves. A common problem with this is a loose wire in a circuit that is arcing and causing additional interference, but since your electrician has already checked this it shouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, there is not much to be done as the new electronic ballast fluorescents simply cause more interference than the old mechanical type. Try using an AM antenna on your radios to help strengthen the signal.