Discharge a CRT Monitor

If you need to make internal adjustments to a CRT monitor, it's safe to discharge it first. A CRT monitor has a high-voltage anode inside it, which can carry a charge of up to 25,000 volts. If you don't discharge the monitor (and if you do, but improperly,) you can get electrocuted. Know what you're doing before you obey this article!

Steps

  1. Unplug the monitor.
  2. Leave it alone for a few hours. If you can afford to waste a lot of time, twenty-four hours would be better.
  3. Wear rubber-soled shoes (no steel toes) and safety goggles. Take off all your jewelry, especially rings and watches. You don't want to be grounded in any way.
  4. Find a heavy flat-bladed screwdriver with good insulation. A Swiss Army knife is not acceptable.
  5. Find a heavy-gauge wire with alligator clips on the end.
  6. Take the monitor's case off -- and don't forget where the screws go in. This could lead to embarrassment.
  7. Attach one alligator clamp to an unpainted portion of the metal frame.
  8. Attach the other alligator clip to the screwdriver's metal shaft.
  9. Make sure that neither you or the screwdriver are in contact with anything metal.
  10. The anode is a wire covered by a suction cup. Slide the screwdriver blade under the suction cup until you hear a loud pop and see a blue flash.
  11. Wait for about 30 minutes and repeat.

Alternative Solution

  1. Unplug the monitor. (As said above)
  2. Carefully unscrew housing and remove.
  3. Wear electric resistant gloves. (Non-conductive material)
  4. Prepare with a flat-tip screwdriver and a jumper cable with alligator clip ends.
  5. Begin by clipping one end of the jumper cable to the screwdriver.
  6. Follow up by clipping the other end to 'ground'. (Ground is usually a large metal area, usually in which the CRT monitor is mounted on)
  7. Slide the flat-tip screwdriver under the anode suction cup. (Aim towards the middle, where the anode actually is)
  8. You may or may not have heard a sign of success, (Such as noted above) but you have completed the task successfully. Always wear protective gear during the process!

Tips

  • The loud pop will bring anyone within hearing distance running. Reassure them.
  • Minor amounts of static electricity may continue to collect after the discharge: if you are not servicing this circuit immediately you must repeat the discharge procedure before working on the circuit. Also, briefly discharge or short especially the large capacitors to avoid similar shock surprises.
  • If you are jittery about electricity, do not carry out this procedure. You are more likely to make a mistake if you are nervous. Take it to a professional.

Warnings

  • You don't want to be grounded. Make sure that, during the entire procedure, you are not accidentally allowing yourself to be grounded.
  • Protect your eyes in case the CRT implodes (not likely.)
  • If you have any doubts whatsoever, DO NOT carry out this procedure. If you mess up, you could be shocked, or even electrocuted. Ask for professional assistance.

Things You'll Need

  • CRT Monitor
  • Flat-bladed screwdriver
  • Heavy-gauge wire with alligator clips
  • Safety goggles
  • Rubber-soled shoes
  • Nerves of steel.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  • Myers, Michael and Jernigan, Scott. "A+ Certification Exam Guide, 5th Edition." Emeryville, California: McGraw Hill/Osborne. 2003. p. 846
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