On Monday, November 21, 2016 at 1:07:20 PM UTC-5, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
SNIPPAGE
Ok, time to vent...

I blame CAD (computer aided design) for the problem. CAD has allowed
designers to accurately predict the life of some components including
electrolytics. If the operating parameters are known (voltage, temp,
ripple current, starting ESR, etc), the lifetime can be calculated.
Having a component last longer than the warranty period is considered
wasteful by many manufacturers. Therefore, they select the cheapest
possible part that will work up to when the warranty expires but no
longer. The result is a product where every component blows up at the
same time, just after the warranty expires. The 10 flat screens in
your example will not show one bad component. Instead, there will be
dozens, all different brands and values. This is not due to crappy
manufacturing, but rather due to careful selection for the MINIMUM
lifetime of the component.


I would refine this somewhat. When this happens, the average consumer will change brands as most (well, not the typical Trump supporter) recognize that something failing just after the warranty period is the manufacturer wanting to maintain the demand stream. I have found that such electronics - based on average hours used and other factors - tent to last about 25% beyond the warranty period - that is, if they last the first six weeks. Just long enough for the consumer to forget the warranty period.

There are exceptions: We have a Sony CRT-type TV purchased in Saudi in 2002 that has probably 13,000 hours on it that has survived two moves, two ocean voyages, kids, cats, dogs and such without a hitch. The Panasonic Plasma with about 6,000 hours on it is doing fine (so far) as well. Frigidaire refrigerators have about 5 years + one month before they crap out. GE units of US origin (in our experience) are pretty bullet proof. Bosch appliances, also, are pretty bullet-proof. It's all according to a mix of decent manufacture and pure blind luck.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA