Is your TV signal a bit dodgy some nights? An expert says there could be many things to blame

A range of everyday devices can interfere with your digital TV reception. (ABC Central West: Lauren Bohane)

Few things are more frustrating than the television breaking up right in the middle of your favourite show, or the last 10 minutes of the grand final. But what's actually behind the interruption?

Television and reception technician Tony Navin says everyday items, including solar panels and electric fences, can interfere with the signal to digital televisions.

According to Mr Navin, the energiser on an electric fence can create a frequency exactly the same as a TV channel.

"So, the TV aerial is receiving the actual TV signal but then it's also receiving the signal from the electric fence," he said.

"One fights the other and normally the electric fence probably wins out."

Mr Navin has serviced televisions in Bathurst, in Central West NSW, for more than 40 years and said solar panel systems created a similar problem.

The solar inverter, which takes direct current from the panels and converts it to alternating current, creates noise that can disrupt television signals.

"You can have perfect TV reception, go and turn the system [on] and then, all of a sudden, there's two or three of the TV channels you can't watch."

Solar panel inverters create noise that can interfere with digital television signals. (ABC News: John Gunn)

Other systems, such as LED lights or mobile phone and wi-fi extensions, can also prevent television channels from reaching the screen.

"The electrician will come and install [LED lights] in the house, people turn them on at night and then all of a sudden … it will start interfering with the TV channels," Mr Navin said.

"That's just part and parcel of digital TV."

A simple solution

Australia completed the swap from analogue to digital television in 2013, which generally improved picture and sound quality.

Television and reception technician Tony Navin says most disruptions have a simple fix. (Supplied: Tony Navin)

Mr Navin said digital television worked exceptionally well in most cases, but signal disruptions from such simple sources could be frustrating.

Identifying where the interference is coming from is half the solution, according to Mr Navin.

Once the source of the disruption has been found, filters can be put in place to knock the interfering frequency out.

Mr Navin said many service issues could also be fixed by making sure all television equipment was up to date.