Safety & Warnings - Please Read
After some consideration I have thought it necessary to add a few safety warnings to this website.
All mains electrical (and some battery operated) equipment is dangerous if not handled correctly and according to instructions supplied.
I recommend getting it repaired by qualified personnel if you have no knowledge or experience fixing electrical or electronics devices.
...But many people like to repair their own "things" for various reasons, cost, acquire a new skill, or just love to know how it works and get it going yer'self; I know I do, that's why I started making and repairing electronics (among other things) when just a lad.
Most repairs will need specialist equipment, a soldering iron, Multi-meter (volts, resistance test, current etc.), screwdrivers...and then you will need to buy parts. After a while and some expense you will have most of what you need ...Oh and schematics and the ability to read them is also helpful; and on it goes.
Sometimes you will need to test while the equipment is running (i.e. plugged into the mains! THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH UTMOST CAUTION!!! Use an RCD (residual current device) available for very little cost from hardware stores. This device will cut off the mains supply when it detects current going where it should not e.g. through you, it may well save your life. RCD's can be used when running any electrical equipment and should be used when using power tools etc. out of doors BUT don't rely on them, you still need to take care.
Please be careful, seek advice and learn how it works and what dangers there are before poking around.....and have fun with your audio listening and repairs.
SOME QUICK CHECKS IF IT DOES NOT WORK -
Regards Stan.
All mains electrical (and some battery operated) equipment is dangerous if not handled correctly and according to instructions supplied.
I recommend getting it repaired by qualified personnel if you have no knowledge or experience fixing electrical or electronics devices.
...But many people like to repair their own "things" for various reasons, cost, acquire a new skill, or just love to know how it works and get it going yer'self; I know I do, that's why I started making and repairing electronics (among other things) when just a lad.
Most repairs will need specialist equipment, a soldering iron, Multi-meter (volts, resistance test, current etc.), screwdrivers...and then you will need to buy parts. After a while and some expense you will have most of what you need ...Oh and schematics and the ability to read them is also helpful; and on it goes.
Sometimes you will need to test while the equipment is running (i.e. plugged into the mains! THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH UTMOST CAUTION!!! Use an RCD (residual current device) available for very little cost from hardware stores. This device will cut off the mains supply when it detects current going where it should not e.g. through you, it may well save your life. RCD's can be used when running any electrical equipment and should be used when using power tools etc. out of doors BUT don't rely on them, you still need to take care.
Please be careful, seek advice and learn how it works and what dangers there are before poking around.....and have fun with your audio listening and repairs.
SOME QUICK CHECKS IF IT DOES NOT WORK -
- First make sure you have plugged it in and switched on.
- Check the multi-plug box socket is working - modern cheap ones seem to fail regularly. Check that the mains plug is wired correctly, I've come across quite a few items where the plug had a wire dislodged from from the plug connections inside and that's all that stopped it turning on.
- Check the fuse - if it is blown replace with the same value ( 2 amp with a 2 amp only) DO NOT short with tinfoil, or wire...or some other bodge job method that I have seen used countless times. If it always blows the fuse it NEEDS REPAIR and may start a fire or electrocute you if you do anything else.
- UNPLUG FROM THE MAINS and IF YOU HAVE TAKEN THE TOP OFF - as above, Check The Fuses. Often, in audio gear, the fuses are only on the inside and can be hard to find, if you can see them check them, with a meter preferably, and replace with correct value. Occasionally fuses blow for no apparent reason (mains surges perhaps?)
- Have a look for obvious signs of damage, burnt components, dislodged wires or physical damage - electrical equipment that has been dropped should be used with extreme caution as parts inside can move and short out and/or can cause an electrocution hazard and a fire hazard.
- If the item has an earthed power cord DO NOT (EVER) REMOVE THE EARTH connections - I have seen audio items with earth connections removed (to stop "earth loop" hum perhaps!! ) many times, this is extremely dangerous - if there is a hum the unit is most likely in need of repair.
- If you are a beginner don't start with valve/tube electronics as they usually run on very high voltages often higher than the mains, they have a transformer that increases voltage, and that voltage is available in most parts of the chassis. Much solid state (modern transistor/silicon technology) has relatively low voltage for the electronics the mains is usually limited to a small area where the mains transformer reduces voltage to something a little safer? BUT you still need to be careful, the often higher current available can cause spectacular "fireworks" sparking and arcing, if you short the wrong parts; can cause eye injury and burns, and fire, and ... will often fry the sensitive electronics making repairing the unit uneconomic and sometimes impossible!
- I'll add more as I think of it....
Regards Stan.
© Stanton Mullard 2013