Would an isolation transformer stop my lamp from flickering?

Question

I have a serious problem ... every time the air conditioner in my apartment kicks on, the lamp on my desk (and I believe every other device that is drawing power) starts flickering on and off until the air conditioner settles down. I believe this is due to the enormous amount of power that the machine initially draws (i.e., the transient response of the machine). The same thing happens when the thing shuts off... . If it were up to me I would just turn the bloody thing off, but it is my roommate's so I cannot. Also, I believe the AC units in the other apartments are producing a similar but somewhat lesser effect, so that would not completely solve the problem anyway.

My questing is how can I stop it? Would an isolation transformer do the trick (or at least lessen it)? I simply want to be able to read without my thoughts being interrupted every five or ten minutes. At one point I was considering using a regulated DC power supply, but after a little bit of experimentation and calculation I realized the bulb would likely not shine bright enough. Short of buying a candelabrum, 6 or 7 candles, and a box of matches I am running out of ideas.

Thanks,

Max

Answer 1

the AC and your lights are on the same circuit(line)

get an electrician to connect  the AC line to another phase of the mains.

This can only be done if your building has a 3 phase electric connection from the street pole.

Answer 2

Actually, the regulated DC supply isn't a bad idea... and there's an easy way to get it: use a low-voltage halogen lamp which has a DC supply built in.

But that droop you're seeing sounds scary... I'd have your landlord check it out. You could have a wiring fault somewhere.

Answer 3

no.

You're problem is that you've got too much load on the circuit(s).

it sounds as thought the wiring in your apartment just wasn't designed to handle the huge "start up "loads the the air conditioner  needs.

You might try putting the AC in a different window, but I don't think that is going to help

You might try a small AC unit, but I don't think that would be to your comfort.

You might complain to the landlord, but he might also tell you to take out the AC, so that' not such a good idea either.

Answer 4

No it wont help.

Try an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with power rating around 350 to 500 VA. That will be more than enough for your tabel lamp. It will cost you around $40 to $60. check out this link for an example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...