A broken or faulty television can frustrate you. With television technology rapidly advancing, terminology constantly updating, and internal parts going out of production and becoming obsolete, it can be difficult for even the craftiest do-it-yourselfers to keep up. With some basic knowledge of television operation and common problem, you just might be able to fix your television yourself, without a costly repair bill.
The Most Common CRT Problem
Most modern television are now flat panel displays, such as plasma or LCD. However, older televisions and cheaper new televisions, use a traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) system. The most common problem with CRT televisions is magnetic distortion, which affects the color or geometric purity of the display. Magnetic distortion can result from a number of causes: movement of the TV, nearby lighting strikes, magnets near the television or nearby unshielded electronic equipment.
Take preventive measures to avoid magnetic distortion. Keep magnets, commonly found it children's toys, away from the TV. When you purchase a speaker system, be sure than the speakers are shielded; speaker drivers are usually little more than large, powerful magnets.
If you're experiencing magnetic distortion, degaussing is the solution. The basic method of degaussing is simple. Cycle the power by turning the TV on for one minute and then turning the TV off for 20 minutes. Repeat this process until the distortion dissipates.
If this doesn't work, commercial CRT degaussers are available from electronic parts distributors. Turn on the degausser and bring it close to the screen. Slowly move the degausser to the edge of the screen, tracing the perimeter. Return the degausser to the center of the screen and slowly back away from the TV. Once you're more than 5 feet away, it's safe to turn the degausser off.
Television Troubleshooting
Often a television won't work after being removed from storage. This is typically due to a bad connection, and the solution may involve resoldering cracked joints in the transformers, power resistors or connectors. These connections might also simply be dirty. Try applying some electronics cleaning solution, available from most electronics stores.
You might sense a burning smell coming from your television. If this occurs after an hour of operation, it's probably due to dust buildup. Try vacuuming inside the TV set or using compressed air to blow away dust. If the burning smell starts shortly after powering the TV up, the problem is more likely due to a faulty power supply and should be serviced by a qualified technician.
Remember to always unplug your television before opening it up and attempting internal repairs. Take off any jewelry and wear rubber-soled shoes. Refer to repair guides specific to your model before attempting anything potentially damaging to the device.
Tags: your television, available from, away from, burning smell, common problem, magnetic distortion
