Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems.

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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

I don't have any details of the situation, so I'm just looking for a
ballpark, well-in-theory, kind of answer.

I had a tenant say that her TV was "destroyed" (I don't know what that
means exactly) and that the fire department said that it was "bad
wiring" in the house, and that we need to bring in an electrician to
fix it. It's perfectly plausible that the wiring is bad - it's an old
house, and the previous owner did DIY work on the wiring and messed a
few things up.

So I'm wondering how would "bad wiring" cause a TV to get destroyed?
I've never heard of this before.
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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

On Jan 17, 12:21*pm, swansnow wrote:
I don't have any details of the situation, so I'm just looking for

a
ballpark, well-in-theory, kind of answer.

I had a tenant say that her TV was "destroyed" (I don't know what

that
means exactly) and that the fire department said that it was "bad
wiring" in the house, and that we need to bring in an electrician

to
fix it. It's perfectly plausible that the wiring is bad - it's an

old
house, and the previous owner did DIY work on the wiring and messed

a
few things up.

So I'm wondering how would "bad wiring" cause a TV to get

destroyed?
I've never heard of this before.


Yep, it can happen. The scenario would be a poor neutral connection so
that a 120 volt on one 'phase' may be significantly higher or lower
than the 120 while the 240 to the oven or AC unit is fine.

GG
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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

Or if someond doesnot under the difference between hot and nuetral, and has
swapped them at the fuse box. That can cause all kinde of interesting
problems, and yes. I have seen DIY dot that kind of stupid thing!!
wrote in message
...
On Jan 17, 12:21 pm, swansnow wrote:
I don't have any details of the situation, so I'm just looking for

a
ballpark, well-in-theory, kind of answer.

I had a tenant say that her TV was "destroyed" (I don't know what

that
means exactly) and that the fire department said that it was "bad
wiring" in the house, and that we need to bring in an electrician

to
fix it. It's perfectly plausible that the wiring is bad - it's an

old
house, and the previous owner did DIY work on the wiring and messed

a
few things up.

So I'm wondering how would "bad wiring" cause a TV to get

destroyed?
I've never heard of this before.


Yep, it can happen. The scenario would be a poor neutral connection so
that a 120 volt on one 'phase' may be significantly higher or lower
than the 120 while the 240 to the oven or AC unit is fine.

GG

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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?



swansnow wrote:

I don't have any details of the situation, so I'm just looking for a
ballpark, well-in-theory, kind of answer.

I had a tenant say that her TV was "destroyed" (I don't know what that
means exactly) and that the fire department said that it was "bad
wiring" in the house, and that we need to bring in an electrician to
fix it. It's perfectly plausible that the wiring is bad - it's an old
house, and the previous owner did DIY work on the wiring and messed a
few things up.

So I'm wondering how would "bad wiring" cause a TV to get destroyed?
I've never heard of this before.


Defective neutral bonding will do this.

Graham


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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

"Eeyore" wrote in message
...


So I'm wondering how would "bad wiring" cause a TV to get destroyed?
I've never heard of this before.


Defective neutral bonding will do this.


To elaborate on that a little: If the neutral is open (doesn't go to the
center tap of the transformer serving the house), then you have 240 volts
across two of your circuits which are in series with each other. As long as
the two circuits have about the same load on them, each will get about 120
volts. But if one circuit gets a much heavier load (e.g., air conditioner),
the other circuit gets appreciably more than 120 volts.




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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

Yep, it can happen. The scenario would be a poor neutral connection so
that a 120 volt on one 'phase' may be significantly higher or lower
than the 120 while the 240 to the oven or AC unit is fine.



Also if DIY work has been done, there's no telling what could be the case. A
120V branch circuit or receptacle wired to 240V can certainly do this,
though it's usually quickly obvious something is wrong. Yes, I've seen it
done. If only newbies insisting on doing their own work would at least pick
up a DIY book first.


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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:26:48 -0500, "mc"
wrote:

:"Eeyore" wrote in message
...
:
:
: So I'm wondering how would "bad wiring" cause a TV to get destroyed?
: I've never heard of this before.
:
: Defective neutral bonding will do this.
:
:To elaborate on that a little: If the neutral is open (doesn't go to the
:center tap of the transformer serving the house), then you have 240 volts
:across two of your circuits which are in series with each other. As long as
:the two circuits have about the same load on them, each will get about 120
:volts. But if one circuit gets a much heavier load (e.g., air conditioner),
:the other circuit gets appreciably more than 120 volts.
:


When I read such anecdotes as related in this thread it makes me thankful we
have a single domestic supply voltage for GPO's in Australian homes (240V single
phase MEN system).
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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

On Jan 17, 9:21 pm, swansnow wrote:
I don't have any details of the situation, so I'm just looking for a
ballpark, well-in-theory, kind of answer.

I had a tenant say that her TV was "destroyed" (I don't know what that
means exactly) and that the fire department said that it was "bad
wiring" in the house, and that we need to bring in an electrician to
fix it. It's perfectly plausible that the wiring is bad - it's an old
house, and the previous owner did DIY work on the wiring and messed a
few things up.

So I'm wondering how would "bad wiring" cause a TV to get destroyed?
I've never heard of this before.


not only the wiring - i have seen tvs damaged by being plugged into
loose sloppy fitting mains socket adaptors. the resulting coming and
going of the power not only produced arcing at the plug but stressed
the TV switch mode power supply.
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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

On Jan 17, 6:14*pm, Ross Herbert wrote:
snip
:To elaborate on that a little: *If the neutral is open (doesn't go

to the
:center tap of the transformer serving the house), then you have

240 volts
:across two of your circuits which are in series with each other.

*As long as
:the two circuits have about the same load on them, each will get

about 120
:volts. *But if one circuit gets a much heavier load (e.g., air

conditioner),
:the other circuit gets appreciably more than 120 volts.
:

When I read such anecdotes as related in this thread it makes me

thankful we
have a single domestic supply voltage for GPO's in Australian homes

(240V single
phase MEN system).


Please remember there are over 200 million structures in the US wired
this way. The fact that the TV failure is 'news' shows how
infrequently it happens. If neutral issues happened enough, rules
would change because insurance rates would go up. Capitalism would
take care of the problem.

Better get my fire extinguisher ready as I fear I've started a flame
war.

GG
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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

Hi!

So I'm wondering how would "bad wiring" cause a TV to get
destroyed?
I've never heard of this before.


The voltage on the outlet the TV was plugged into could be too low, too high
or fluctuating often and causing stress to the TV's circuitry.

The outlet itself could have been wired improperly, such that it was
carrying a voltage that was totally inappropriate for the TV set. It is
possible to wire a 110 volt outlet (where 110/120 volt power is used) to
have 220/240 volts coming to it. The results from this would be immediate
and probably catastrophic, so if the TV did not fail immediately, this is
probably not the cause.

Finally, as another poster mentioned, there could be a poor neutral
connection somewhere in the wiring. If this were the case, the two "legs" of
110/120 volts AC will not be balanced and the voltage on each one will
fluctuate wildly as loads come and go.

William




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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

"swansnow" wrote in message
...
I don't have any details of the situation, so I'm just looking for a
ballpark, well-in-theory, kind of answer.

I had a tenant say that her TV was "destroyed" (I don't know what that
means exactly) and that the fire department said that it was "bad
wiring" in the house, and that we need to bring in an electrician to
fix it. It's perfectly plausible that the wiring is bad - it's an old
house, and the previous owner did DIY work on the wiring and messed a
few things up.

So I'm wondering how would "bad wiring" cause a TV to get destroyed?
I've never heard of this before.


Have you determined exactly what constitutes "destroyed?" I found out the
hard way in the 90s that the near-ubiquitous RCA motherboards had grounding
issues with the front-end can. Research (here among other places) revealed
that lousy soldering on the shield could cause the main chip to lose its
programming, resulting in an otherwise perfect TV being useless. I could
see that being triggered by power/grounding issues. My problems started
with a building-wide fire alarm going off, perhaps coincidental.

Best regards,
Ralph in NH


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Default can "bad wiring" destroy a TV?

IMHO: Sounds the the Landlord should have the set professionally inspected,
paying the estimate (service) fees, to absolutely determine what may have
actually caused the problem. (Not to pay for repairing the set unless
definative proof of fault is presented.)
Word of mouth from either the Tenent and/or Landlord will only continue to
cause no relevant resolution for either party. Otherwise this may turn into
a legal push-pull with no easy end in sight. FWIWthe tenent basically
would be considered liable for any repairs but to cover one's dairere it
may be wise for the landlord to consider at least having it professionally
inspected.

"Ralph in NH" wrote in message
. net...
"swansnow" wrote in message
...
I don't have any details of the situation, so I'm just looking for a
ballpark, well-in-theory, kind of answer.

I had a tenant say that her TV was "destroyed" (I don't know what that
means exactly) and that the fire department said that it was "bad
wiring" in the house, and that we need to bring in an electrician to
fix it. It's perfectly plausible that the wiring is bad - it's an old
house, and the previous owner did DIY work on the wiring and messed a
few things up.

So I'm wondering how would "bad wiring" cause a TV to get destroyed?
I've never heard of this before.


Have you determined exactly what constitutes "destroyed?" I found out the
hard way in the 90s that the near-ubiquitous RCA motherboards had
grounding issues with the front-end can. Research (here among other
places) revealed that lousy soldering on the shield could cause the main
chip to lose its programming, resulting in an otherwise perfect TV being
useless. I could see that being triggered by power/grounding issues. My
problems started with a building-wide fire alarm going off, perhaps
coincidental.

Best regards,
Ralph in NH




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On Jan 17, 3:21*pm, swansnow wrote:
I had a tenant say that her TV was "destroyed" (I don't know what that
means exactly) and that the fire department said that it was "bad
wiring" in the house, and that we need to bring in an electrician to
fix it.


The moon is yellow. Therefore a tornado will hit Brazil. IOW they
did not say what is defective or why - so we know near nothing.

The defective nuetral wire problem could cause TV damage by raising
voltage excessively. Is that happenening? We always need facts such
as incandescant lamps brightening or dimming when a major load is
applied or disconnected.

Other problems such as loose wiring would not damage any properly
constructed electronics. And this stated bluntly in direct
contradiction to a popular myth. If bad wiring caused TV damage, then
wiring must cause voltage to be excessive - not low. And then
incandescant bulbs are also failing prematurely.

Meanwhile, if the fire department identified a wiring problem, well,
that may only be another problem completely independent of TV
failure. That report of wiring failure from fire people means an
electrician is required to inspect and provide an estimate.
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w_tom wrote:


Other problems such as loose wiring would not damage any properly
constructed electronics.


Disagree, arcing in a mains socket can cause smps blow-ups. a common
cause of psu failure in the Amstrad/Sky satellite receiver which is
popular over here is a poor connection in the figure eight mains connector.

You may argue that said receiver isn't properly constructed, but there
are tens of thousands in service, and it has passed the current strict
European regulations

Ron(UK)
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"Ron(UK)" wrote:

w_tom wrote:


Other problems such as loose wiring would not damage any properly
constructed electronics.


Disagree, arcing in a mains socket can cause smps blow-ups. a common
cause of psu failure in the Amstrad/Sky satellite receiver which is
popular over here is a poor connection in the figure eight mains connector.

You may argue that said receiver isn't properly constructed, but there
are tens of thousands in service, and it has passed the current strict
European regulations

Ron(UK)



You are arguing with a troll.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida


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Michael A. Terrell wrote:
"Ron(UK)" wrote:
w_tom wrote:

Other problems such as loose wiring would not damage any properly
constructed electronics.

Disagree, arcing in a mains socket can cause smps blow-ups. a common
cause of psu failure in the Amstrad/Sky satellite receiver which is
popular over here is a poor connection in the figure eight mains connector.

You may argue that said receiver isn't properly constructed, but there
are tens of thousands in service, and it has passed the current strict
European regulations

Ron(UK)



You are arguing with a troll.



Disagreeing, there`s a difference.

Ron
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"Ron(UK)" wrote:

Michael A. Terrell wrote:
"Ron(UK)" wrote:
w_tom wrote:

Other problems such as loose wiring would not damage any properly
constructed electronics.
Disagree, arcing in a mains socket can cause smps blow-ups. a common
cause of psu failure in the Amstrad/Sky satellite receiver which is
popular over here is a poor connection in the figure eight mains connector.

You may argue that said receiver isn't properly constructed, but there
are tens of thousands in service, and it has passed the current strict
European regulations

Ron(UK)



You are arguing with a troll.



Disagreeing, there`s a difference.

Ron




Go ahead and waste your time with him then. PLONK.
--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
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On Jan 20, 10:18 am, "Ron(UK)" wrote:
Disagree, arcing in a mains socket can cause smps blow-ups. a common
cause of psu failure in the Amstrad/Sky satellite receiver which is
popular over here is a poor connection in the figure eight mains connector.


European regulations do not say a SMPS (or any appliance) need be
properly designed. Those standards address limited design issues such
as human safety threats, EMI, harmonics, etc. None address all
reliability issues. Although EMI circuits would make an appliance
even more resistant to line arcing, still, other internal design
defects may let that unit be harmed by power wire arcing.

Some early Tivos also met regulations and yet suffered internal
failures. Damage created by something that should never have caused
that damage. Regulations do not address reliability. If line arcing
causes appliance failure, then a defect exists in that appliance
design.

Excessive voltage would harm an appliance. Any 'bad wiring' that
could destroy the TV must cause excessive voltage. That voltage
typically would be made obvious by incandescent bulbs changing
intensity or failing prematurely. Any SMPS harmed by something
trivial like an arcing plug is defectively designed (and can still
conform to European regulations).

Again, firemen cited a 'wiring problem'. Without specific technical
details, that means an electrician is required.
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