Ring mains

[Wix]

Is it possible to run an audio signal through the ring mains? Thats what some pest repellers claim to do, delivering their signal throughout the walls of the building and through each room itself. If this is possible how is it done?

Cheers, Wix

[vehelpfulguy]

I have certainly heard of people running computer networks through the ring main of a house.

So the principle is there.

[Wix]

By audio signal i meant ultra and infra sound. Also how far can it be transmitted out of the wall?

[Hymie]

The devices you are talking about �inject� a signal back down the mains. Even if it were at a frequency that could be heard by humans, you would not hear it � you cannot hear the electric signal travelling along the wires from your hi-fi system to the speakers. You hear the signal driving the speakers producing the sound. If you could hear signals travelling along mains cables, we would all hear a very annoying constant 50Hz buzzing sound.

The makers of these devices claim that it is the electromagnetic effect of these frequencies that annoy insects/pests you want to get rid of. You can be reasonably confident that these claims are complete B*llocks.

[shylock73]

Sorry to disagree Hymie, but we had squirrels living in our loft for several years and I bought such a device as mentioned and they soon b****d off, also we don`t get those wolf spiders come into the house for the winter, so I for one think they are money well spent. Sorry Hymie

[Hymie]

Shylock73 - some of these devices incorporate an ultrasonic audio output, which is above the human audible range. It might be this that has annoyed your squirrels, but then again they might have moved on for any number of reasons.

Throughout the world, insects cause billions of pounds worth of damage, e.g termites are destroying whole houses. Why not buy one of these devices and cure the problem? Maybe it�s a conspiracy between the termite eradication companies and their chemical suppliers.