Re: IIGS RGB Monitor hazards

["Paul Grammens" <grammens@svn.net>]

<jaoswald@my-deja.com> wrote

Monitors,
> however have high voltages present *EVEN AFTER THEY ARE TURNED
> OFF AND UNPLUGGED*. The energy STORED IN HARMLESS LOOKING COMPONENTS

A common exageration. Make that "MIGHT have high voltages present." I'm an
electronic tech. I've worked on a lot of monitors. I've never been zapped by
an unplugged monitor, and I do have to get deep into the innards while
troubleshooting.  The sections that use high voltages (powersupply, HV
section) have bleeder resistors that discharge those voltages. Sure, I'm
careful, and would advise others to do likewise, but it's hardly as
dangerous as you make it out to be.
Keep in mind, my advice was limited to turning an adjustment screw which is
easily accessable after the rear cover is removed. That's hardly as
dangerous as, say, jacking up your car and crawling under it to change your
motor oil.

>
> This message, like other messages on this, or any other message board,
> do *not* constitute proper training to undertake this kind of work.
>

That's why I mentioned the shock hazard.  What would you advise someone on
changing a light bulb? Don't do it, you might get killed? In the real world,
that's not very practical. I'd prefer to remind them to be careful on that
ladder.


> I will not comment on Paul's comparison to activities engaged in by
> a much larger number of people. I will mention that people (like sports
> commentator Dick Vitale) have lost eyes to pencils.

And my point is, we accept that risk and think nothing of it. Heck, we even
give pencils to kids. But answer a question about an internal adjustment on
a monitor, and guys like you come out of the woodwork.

Monitors are cheap,
> people shouldn't be.
>

Good point. That cheapskate ought to pay me to fix his monitor instead of
doing it himself.  ;)
-Paul