Televisions come in a lot of different varieties, from the old cathode ray tube models to the newest flat screen. When a problem arises, there are just about as many different ways to repair them. Knowing some basic troubleshooting and repair techniques that apply to all television can help you find the correct solution to your grievance.
Troubleshooting and Tools
When troubleshooting a unit, always check the obvious solutions before moving on to repairs that may require you opening the unit. Check that the television is plugged in properly and that all video input and output wires are free from damage, and are plugged in properly. If you are having picture quality issues, check your television settings in the built in menu. Check your owner's manual for instructions. Buy the right tools for troubleshooting, such as a multimeter, an oscilloscope, and a color bar signal generator if working on a cathode ray tube television set.
Repair
If your television is still under warranty, do not attempt a repair yourself. Take your television to a certified repair technician to have the unit looked over. If the unit is not under warranty, or you have done something to accidentally damage the unit, then you will want to do the repair yourself. Opening up a television is different for each unit, but generally use a 4 to 16 size Phillips screwdriver, or a 1/4" hex screwdriver to remove screws from the televisions housing. When removing the housing of your television to gain access to the parts inside, check that there are not any wires attached to the casing you are taking off. Pulling too hard without disengaging these wires can damage components.
Safety
When working with older television models that have a cathode ray tube, or CRT, you must be very careful when opening it up. The tubes are vacuum sealed and will explode if ruptured. The explosion of a cathode ray tube sends fine glass particles into the air, which can be very dangerous. The cathode ray tube will also need to be discharged according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not work on a CRT without first discharging it. Always unplug a television unit before repairs. Work in an area that does not have carpeting, as static electricity from the rug can damage the television components by sending small shocks into them, creating holes in circuitry. This is called electrostatic discharge, or ESD. Buy ESD equipment such as wrist straps and mats to prevent the occurrence of ESD.
Tags: cathode tube, your television, from damage, plugged properly, repair yourself
