How to Repair Damaged TV Capacitors
A television that's no longer turning on may have you worrying about costly repairs or the complete replacement of your LCD screen. However, it may be as simple as a damaged capacitor, which can be a relatively easy fault to find and an affordable one to fix. So what exactly is a TV capacitor and what are the tell-tale signs that the one in your LG LCD TV may need replacing?
What Is a TV Capacitor?
A capacitor is a small device used in different electronic appliances and LCD televisions to store electric charge. When working properly, it alters the electronic signals so that the TV functions properly.
- A capacitor consists of a pair of metal foils separated by a thin insulator with wires that connect to a current source, such as a battery, and allow an electrical charge to flow into the foils. When the foils fully charge, the current stops flowing, with small capacitors having a relatively small capacity.
- A capacitor that has a bulging top or a top completely blown open will no longer function as intended.
How Do You Know if Your Capacitor Needs Replacing?
TV screens that fail to turn on or cycle and click a few times before eventually turning on may have a damaged capacitor that needs replacing. A professional TV repair service is able to quickly identify if the issue you're experiencing is due to the capacitor, and advise you on how to go about fixing it.
- Capacitors can hold large amounts of charge, so never try to locate one in your TV immediately after turning off. You should always wait a few hours to allow the stored charge to leak or, better still, take your television to a professional to identify the potential fault.
- Faulty capacitors are generally easy to spot amidst a television's electronics, with the lid either bulging or completely blown open with the "X" having split.
What Should You Look for When Buying a TV Capacitor?
When buying a replacement capacitor for your television, it's important that you choose and install one with the same capacitance (uF) as the original.
- Make sure the replacement fits into the space of your old capacitor by checking the dimensions in the product description or on the packaging.
- While it does need to have the same capacitance as the original, it can have higher temperature and voltage ratings.
- Most capacitors clearly indicate which TVs they are compatible with, so always check the product description in the listing prior to purchase.
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