PC Monitor Repair – How Do You Discharge a Picture Tube?

April 25, 2009
PC repair
Devon B asked:


I’m into electronics study and keen on knowing how monitors work. I also want to learn how to repair them myself.

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2 Comments

  1. Dave L

    Picture tubes are known to store charges for a long time. So if you need to repair a monitor (or open it up for study), make sure you hook up your ground first. Use an isolation transformer while troubleshooting monitors. Besides the safety part, it also prevents the good components from shorting while you inspect them.

  2. Diffo

    [Applies to older monitors, not modern LCD/Plasma ect] Unless you know what you are doing, I would advise you against a DIY job. PC Monitors contain capacitors that store enough electrical energy to kill the average human. Even when unplugged it often takes decades to slowly discharge. An old monitor that has been left unplugged for 3 years would still have several capacitors with enough electrical energy to kill. If you want to learn how to do it yourself make sure you learn properly.