I am a medical researcher and I found an effect that I think I understand half way, but not completely and I hope someone more skilled in electrical engineering can clear this up for me. I am a novice on the field, so I aplogize in advance if it is a silly question.
I am working with two systems. System A produces an electromagnetic field that constantly and quickly changes it's polarity. System B produces strong electrical pulses (frequency unknown). I have noticed an effect, where activation of System B interferes with system A if (and only if) they are plugged in the same power outlet.
I know from my hobby as a DJ that the power supply can be "bad" or "noisy", and that systems with LC-Circuits can cause this interference. I suspect this to be the case, but since I am pretty ignorant in the field I do not know how to verbalize the problem and where to start looking. I would like to know two things:
Is there a clear concept on how these circuits interfere with the power supply?
What can be done to avoid this problem? I foggily know that one should plug the systems into two different phases (dependent on two different fuses I think?) but this is all a bad case of half-knowledge.
Is there a piece of hardware that guarantees a "clean" power supply?
Thanks in advance. In clearing this up, you are helping me significantly.
Edit:
System A is an electromagnetic field generator used for tracking purposes. System B is an electric scalpel. System A produces a high frequency field that constantly changes polarity and system B produces strong pulses electric pulses that it uses to cut tissue.
The interference is independent of physical proximity. I can disable the effect if I use two different outlets.
Best Answer
Since the interference is noticed only when the equipment is plugged into the same outlet, I would suspect that System B is producing electrical noise that is being conducted out onto the power line. Switching power circuits can generate a tremendous amount of noise, and much effort is spent on reducing it to an acceptable level. In this case, it's hard to say whether system B is especially noisy, or A is sensitive to power line noise.
Typically, we try to address conducted noise problems by using some kind of line filter in the equipment, a filter that allows power line frequencies to easily pass through but block higher frequency noise. Filters, aka power conditioners or line conditioners, are also available as stand-alone equipment.