{"id":49111,"date":"2024-01-09T12:00:09","date_gmt":"2024-01-09T11:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.repaircafe.org\/repairing-televisions\/"},"modified":"2024-01-19T17:44:42","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T16:44:42","slug":"repairing-televisions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.repaircafe.org\/en\/repairing-televisions\/","title":{"rendered":"Repairing televisions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you have a problem with your television? Then, consider very carefully whether you want to fix it yourself. Tinkering with televisions can be dangerous. This article explains how and under what conditions making repairs is safe.<\/p>\n

Many Repair Caf\u00e9s opt never to repair televisions because of the high voltage of these appliances. This is especially true of old picture tube televisions (pre-2000). Such picture tubes can carry a deadly high voltage of up to 30,000 volts<\/a>. Unplugging it will not remove this voltage. Therefore, dismantling a picture tube television without sound electrical expertise is hazardous.<\/p>\n

TV repairers must know precisely what they are doing<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Despite this, banning televisions from the Repair Caf\u00e9 is unnecessary. However, repairers must know precisely what they are doing. At Repair Caf\u00e9 Delft in the Netherlands, they do. This is one of the Repair Caf\u00e9s where visitors can bring televisions.<\/p>\n

“We have had over a hundred TVs on the workbench since 2017,” says repairer Bart Jan van der Ceelen. “Almost all of these are LED or LCD TVs. These days, hardly anyone still has an old picture tube TV.”<\/p>\n

Television supply capacitors contain dangerous amounts of electrical charge<\/strong><\/h2>\n

LED or LCD TVs are no more hazardous than many other electrical devices, according to Bart Jan. “With one exception: the power supply capacitors. These can still contain a dangerous amount of electrical charge for quite some time, even after the main voltage is disconnected. So, safely discharge these capacitors first.”<\/p>\n

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Repair Caf\u00e9 Delft has created a poster explaining why and how to do this. “Using that poster, we educate our repairers and explain the basics,” says Bart Jan. Meanwhile, Repair Caf\u00e9 Delft has also made a discharge tool. \u201cIt is simple but safe.”<\/p>\n

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You can safely test televisions after discharging the capacitors <\/strong><\/h2>\n

After discharging the capacitors, repairers can safely test various things. “You can then inspect it,” explains Bart Jan. \u201cSometimes, you get some clues just by looking: you can reattach loose cables, measure a blown fuse for resistance and replace, replace a bulging electrolytic capacitor, measure diodes and transistors… And remember the toothbrush or paintbrush trick! Several repairers got a dusty television working again by brushing it off with a toothbrush or paintbrush.”<\/p>\n

Working with voltage: always with one hand on the back and always with an isolating transformer<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If the above does not result in the television working again, power must still be applied to diagnose the problem. “You then want to measure a few things. This usually involves comparing voltages with what it says in the service manual, electrical diagram, or what you know from experience.”<\/p>\n

Repair Caf\u00e9 Delft also follows some essential rules for this work. For example, repairers should always work with one hand on their back or in a pocket and always with an isolation transformer. “If you do that, you will be protected by the isolating transformer. We made a poster about this, too.”<\/p>\n

Television repairs in the RepairMonitor<\/strong><\/h2>\n

That not all Repair Caf\u00e9s ban televisions is confirmed by the RepairMonitor. Repair Caf\u00e9s worldwide keep track of their repair data in this online tool. By the end of 2023, the monitor contained more than 750 television repairs carried out at more than a hundred Repair Caf\u00e9s in several countries. Thirty-three per cent of the repairs made were successful. In most of these cases, capacitors, fuses, LEDs or backlights were replaced (as in this video<\/a>, recorded by a Repair Caf\u00e9 Helmond-Oost volunteer)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>More information<\/strong><\/h2>\n