Sounds exciting
Electronic equipment is usually pretty reliable when left alone but the invention of the human being can cause all sorts of problems.
In the good old days of things just having a mains plug and perhaps an aerial socket, all was well, but give Mr. Owner sockets for external speakers (main, centre, surround etc) then problems can and do happen.
Always make sure that the speakers and especially connecting wires and plugs are in good condition. A short anywhere in the path (particularly joined wires) can blow amplifier chips effectively rendering your hi-fi the quietest one in town, and gives you and your tv the opportunity to try out the subtitles!
What's that noise in the sky
What follows is an extract from an article written by us for the Champion Newspaper:-
| As a local repair
firm of domestic electronic equipment we would like to
comment on how to avoid damage to equipment during
electrical storms like the one we had recently. Electrical storms (lightning) can cause havoc with tv's, videos and satellite receivers. We have had many calls to repair such equipment, but from previous experience do not undertake such work since in nearly every case the equipment is a total write off, and beyond any economical repair. A lightning strike to electronic equipment is akin to removing the battery from a transistor radio and attaching wires to the battery terminal and plugging into the mains. Do you expect it to be repairable? Yes it is as serious as that as most modern equipment contains sensitive micro circuits (chips). If it is repairable the cost of parts and considerable labour could ammount to more than a replacement unit. Here are a few ways of avoiding damage to sometimes expensive equipment. Lightning can get at your receivers in two ways, both of which can cause very high pulse voltages to enter. The first way of entry is via the mains and the second is down the aerial. Video's and satellite receivers are designed to be permenantly powered so if you expect a storm or one is about to start remove the mains plug. Many people leave tv sets in standby all the time. This is bad practice - only leave in this state for short "off" periods. In storm conditions turn off the switch or better still take the plug out of the wall. This will ensure lightning will not enter down the mains. To cover aerial strikes, remove the connection from the aerial and don't forget the cable from the satellite dish. The above suggestions are really common sense, but it is amazing how many people continue to watch tv in the height of a real humdinger not considering the risk to life and property. Be safe, be careful, if in doubt - UNPLUG. |