Are there any risks if you open a monitor that is turned OFF and unplugged?

Question

It's actually two questions. Please number your answers so that I know to which question you're referring. Thanks a lot!!

1) Are there any risks involved if you open a monitor that is turned OFF and unplugged?

2) What happens if you DROP a monitor that is turned OFF and unplugged? Fire?

Answer 1

1) Yes, there are capacitors in the monitor that store electricity for a little while so wait 5 minutes before touching anything in there for the electricity to disburse.

2) No, a unplugged monitor will not catch fire if dropped. You could, of course, damage the video tube, if it's a CRT, or the back light if it's an LCD. Some of the internal electronic parts could also break. The only way to tell is to plug it back in and turn it on to see if it still works.

Answer 2

1) if it is a CRT monitor give it an hour unplugged before opening. It has 40,000 volts when on, it may take a while for everything to reach safe levels.

If it it is an LCD it should be safe, give it 10 minutes.

2) What happens if you DROP a monitor that is turned OFF and unplugged.

If it is a CRT monitor it has a picture tube under vacuum. It may break explosively. If you ever dropped a light bulb, imagine a light bulb a the size of a monitor. Flying glass could cut or blind you. There are chemicals inside the tube that can be harmful to breath or touch. The phosphorus inside could burn but is unlikely to burn.

If it is an LCD monitor very little will happen. Parts will crack or break. If any thing leaks out wash it off you immediately.

Answer 3

Hi. A CRT has a very high voltage during operation that does NOT go away when it is unplugged. The tube acts as a capacitor. Be careful.

Answer 4

Don't slide your fingers along any metal, wear safty glasses, and don't touch anything with wire coiled around it unless you want to get shocked.

Answer 5

1. Yes a very big Yes

2. Boom Bang maybe