Switches and PC Audio

[Electroenthusiast]

Hello,
I have been using a USB headset for listening to my PC Audio. The PC is powered through mains voltage, and there are 4 more switches along the one which connects the PC Socket.
When one of the switch in the switch board is altered between ON and OFF, which is other than the one used to power the PC, the PC audio stops playing for a moment, and continues playing after some 4 seconds or so.

Why does this happen? What is a scientific explanation for this, as i think the USB Audio is no where directly connected to mains.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I would imagine it's due to the switch arcing, and generating interference that upsets your PC audio.

 

[Electroenthusiast]

I would imagine it's due to the switch arcing, and generating interference that upsets your PC audio.

Do you mean to say that there will be arcing here? Any other possibilities?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Do you mean to say that there will be arcing here? Any other possibilities?

When you open a switch you get an arc across it as it opens, the higher the current the larger (and longer) the arc. This is one of the many reason why we use AC mains rather than DC, as it extinguishes the arc as the voltage falls to zero - and it's why switches are greatly derated at DC as against AC.

 

[unclejed613]

there might also be the switch that goes to your PC's outlet has oxidized contacts, and is sensitive to vibration, and when one of the other switches is flipped, the vibration causes a very short dropout in power to the PC. this might cause the "power good" signal to toggle, and while the CPU processes the signal (likely a non-maskable interrupt signal), it suspends the audio processing until it decides the power didn't stay off, and continues where it left off...

 

[Electroenthusiast]

Thanks for both the answers. The switches are pretty new, not more than a year of use.

 

[Lo_volt]

What is connected to this other switch? Is it a peripheral attached to the PC?