Televisions often use advanced circuitry that is difficult to repair.
Televisions are central to home theaters and living rooms around the world. They employ different technologies, including traditional vacuum tubes and more modern liquid crystal arrays, to produce picture and sound that increase in quality with each new generation of models. Every type of television is subject to breaking down eventually, and do-it-yourself repairs may be able to keep the set running.
Is It Dangerous?
Repairing a television can be dangerous, depending on the type of set. Older CRT, or cathode-ray tube, televisions include a high voltage circuit that can deliver a powerful electric shock, even when the television has been unplugged for several days or weeks. This only exists in older, non-flat-screen televisions, as modern flat-screen televisions have no use for the high voltage circuit.
With the television case open, it's easy to identify the high voltage circuit. It is an enclosed assembly in the television with a long, thick red wire leading out of it. The wire leads to an anode cap on the back of the television tube, which is the large, pyramid-shaped component that connects the screen and electron gun. Avoiding the high voltage circuit, or wearing insulated gloves, will make it safe to proceed with the repair job.
How Do I Diagnose Problems?
Troubleshooting a television to diagnose problems is the first step in the repair process. It is largely a matter of isolating the problem through the process of elimination. Poor picture or sound quality can have many causes, including loose or wet cables and a problem at the broadcast source. If the problem shows up on multiple televisions in the home, it's likely not a problem with the television itself. Replacing cables and remote batteries can also help isolate problems to the television. Television owners manuals often include a section on troubleshooting, which may include instructions for resetting the television to its original specifications.
What Are the Easiest Fixes?
If the problem appears to be with the television rather than the cables or service, it's best to start by looking for the easiest fixes. Opening the television's casing with a screwdriver and heat gun will reveal any frayed or corroded wires, which should be replaced before proceeding. If the problem only affects the audio, installing new speakers may be a relatively easy and inexpensive fix. For a picture that shows static or displays unusual color tints, running a degaussing wand over the screen can help to dispel magnetic buildup on the picture tube and restore the picture to a normal state.
Is It Worth It?
As televisions that use older technology continue to decline in price, and new models incorporate digital technology, there are fewer and fewer options for do-it-yourself repair. Modern flat-screen televisions are often difficult to open, let alone service, without special tools and expertise. Short of making a simple repair on an older set, buying a new model may actually be a more cost-effective solution. Electronic repair technicians may be able to advise television owners on whether or not repairs are worth the effort, or are likely to solve the problem at all. A long-term manufacturer's warranty may be the best way to ensure that a new television will continue to function properly for many years.
Tags: high voltage, high voltage circuit, voltage circuit, flat-screen televisions, picture sound, with television
