Model Railway Forum

Hello all,

Are suppressors necessary these days with smart TV's and phones. I am thinking probably not and would they interfere with decoders.

Dirk.

You can remove then Dirk now without any problems.

Thought as much and I did a few tests without and it didn't bother anything. I thought it might have been illegal or something stupid like that as I keep seeing them fitfed to new motors.

Dirk

As long as it doesn’t affect you neighbours TV.

I would suggest, as a rule of thumb, that you leave them on if you are running DC just in case of interference with other appliances. But as motor suppression can affect DCC decoders they can be removed. I believe that decoders may include some form of suppression rendering those on the motor superfluous.

Having searched a little with Google I came up with a reference to an EU directive. I checked it out again on Google and came up with this: "The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2014/30/EU limits the electromagnetic emissions from electrical and electronic equipment to ensure that it doesn't interfere with other equipment or radio and telecommunications"

Manufacturers therefore legally need to put them in but individuals are not compelled to leave them in.

My view is if the loco runs well then leave it in. No point in removing it for no reason.

Good advice Brian. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
On the odd chance that a loco/decoder misbehaves, then that is the time to remove the suppressor as part of the normal troubleshooting process.

This is like that bloke from Dibley, yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no.

You could be right Brian.