Kitchen lights causes the internet to drop?

[JohnKimble]

Hello, i've had some intermittent connection issues but after a while i seem to have it pinned down to something unexpected, which is the kitchen lights. If both lights are turned out the internet connection completely drops, occasionally up for a second or two at a time but dead for the most part. The modem itself does not lose power but it is the broadband connection that is cut. Does anyone know where to begin with to find a solution to this strange issue?

 

[thx1138v2]

You didn't state what kind of lights are in the kitchen (incandescent, fluorescent, led, CFL, halogen, etc.) nor what their proximity is to your broadband connection or what kind of broadband connection you are talking about (cable, DSL, WiFi, WiMax, etc) or how any of that might be related so it's a bit difficult to make any suggestions other than to leave the lights on.

 

[photonboy]

Doesn't make sense, but I'd start with basic troubleshooting:

1) Swap a different computer to same MODEM
2) SWAP MODEM
3) MOVE MODEM

I'm having a hard time believing this. I feel like some important piece of information is missing.

 

[JohnKimble]

I am not exactly sure which kind of lights they are. The connection is DSL, and the proximity is fairly close, as the modem itself is located directly one floor above the kitchen. The issues only occur when both lights are on, not off.

It's definitely an odd issue, i've googled around a bit and has only seen a few threads with other people having it. I can't really comment about the disbelief/important missing information thing as i'm not exactly sure what that would be.

 

[Solandri]

Phone lines normally carry voice at the 100 Hz to 4 kHz range. DSL normally occupies the frequencies from 25 kHz to 1 MHz. Lots of stuff can cause interference in those higher frequencies, especially if your house has multiple phone jacks with the phone line traversing who knows where through the ceiling.

Try moving the DSL modem to a different phone jack. Or if you're lucky, your house will have a phone distribution box. You can disconnect some of the unused phone jacks, hopefully removing whichever phone line is crossing near those kitchen lights and picking up the interference. (The more elegant solution would be to figure out which line it is, and insert a DSL filter on it at the distribution box. But it's probably easier just to pull the offending wire.)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyM7jQ9uUMQ/VMQyk52KRvI/AAAAAAAAARs/r1s-7E7RTN8/s1600/LevitonPhoneDistribution-Wired.jpg

 

[TMTOWTSAC]

If it happens when the light are turned on, that makes a lot more sense than if it happens when they're off. Fluorescent lights are known to cause interference, especially as they age and flicker/buzz. LED's can also cause interference, but usually less severe. The worst is caused by dimmer circuits.

Can you describe what the bulbs look like? Approximate dimensions? Here's a quick reference:

http://www.bulbs.com/images/resource_section/bulb-shapes-and-sizes.png

Though note the linear fluorescents only show the base, they can be up to 8' long.

 

[jsmithepa]

the broadband connection that is cut.

To your computer only or to all computers?
Ethernet or WIFI?

So move the modem, even just to test it. You can only go theorizing for so long, empirical testing is in order.

 

[JohnKimble]

the broadband connection that is cut.

To your computer only or to all computers?
Ethernet or WIFI?

So move the modem, even just to test it. You can only go theorizing for so long, empirical testing is in order.

It's to all computers and devices, connected by both ethernet and wifi. I think that might be one of the things to test, to move the modem to another power line if possible.

 

[JohnKimble]

If it happens when the light are turned on, that makes a lot more sense than if it happens when they're off. Fluorescent lights are known to cause interference, especially as they age and flicker/buzz. LED's can also cause interference, but usually less severe. The worst is caused by dimmer circuits.

Can you describe what the bulbs look like? Approximate dimensions? Here's a quick reference:

http://www.bulbs.com/images/resource_section/bulb-shapes-and-sizes.png

Though note the linear fluorescents only show the base, they can be up to 8' long.

Shape-wise it appears most of these lights are either the R or BR Series. The lights are attached to a dimmer circuit though.

 

[TMTOWTSAC]

If it happens when the light are turned on, that makes a lot more sense than if it happens when they're off. Fluorescent lights are known to cause interference, especially as they age and flicker/buzz. LED's can also cause interference, but usually less severe. The worst is caused by dimmer circuits.

Can you describe what the bulbs look like? Approximate dimensions? Here's a quick reference:

http://www.bulbs.com/images/resource_section/bulb-shapes-and-sizes.png

Though note the linear fluorescents only show the base, they can be up to 8' long.

Shape-wise it appears most of these lights are either the R or BR Series. The lights are attached to a dimmer circuit though.

Are the lights usually dimmed, or at completely full brightness? The moment they dim at all, the dimmer cycles power to them, generating interference. Bad enough to pick up with an AM radio.

 

[JohnKimble]

If it happens when the light are turned on, that makes a lot more sense than if it happens when they're off. Fluorescent lights are known to cause interference, especially as they age and flicker/buzz. LED's can also cause interference, but usually less severe. The worst is caused by dimmer circuits.

Can you describe what the bulbs look like? Approximate dimensions? Here's a quick reference:

http://www.bulbs.com/images/resource_section/bulb-shapes-and-sizes.png

Though note the linear fluorescents only show the base, they can be up to 8' long.

Shape-wise it appears most of these lights are either the R or BR Series. The lights are attached to a dimmer circuit though.

Are the lights usually dimmed, or at completely full brightness? The moment they dim at all, the dimmer cycles power to them, generating interference. Bad enough to pick up with an AM radio.

They're usually at full brightness.

 

[mjslakeridge]

If moving the modem to a different power outlet (on a different circuit than the kitchen lights), solves the issue, then I would suspect the dimmer as the culprit, even if the lights are on full brightness.

 

[JohnKimble]

Looks like it might have been something related to interference from lights, after getting a new modem on another cable outlet the problems seem to have ceased.

 

[mjslakeridge]

Glad you got it sorted out. I personally see no reason to have the kitchen lights on a dimmer, since if you are in the kitchen preparing a meal, you would want maximum light.