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Basic TV Repair Tool: The Digital Multimeter

Here's the start of series of posts dealing with some of the basic concepts of TV repair involving some of the most basic tools and equipment that some trying to learn how to repair electronics like plasma and LCD TVs should know about.

If you are trying to learn electronics repair, you need to get acquainted with these basic tools and you may need to go buy them for your self. If not now, you certainly will need to get your own tools at some point in time.

I am not telling you go out there and start shopping around for professional tools and equipment but if you are serious about becoming a plasma and LCD TV repair technician, you will most definitely need the most basic of tools right at your disposal.

The Multimeter

digital multimeter for tv repairAs the name implies, this device is a measuring device that measures more than one variable or parameter. This is a very essential tool in a TV repair man's tool box because it is one of the most basic tools to use in electronic fault-finding. Wikipedia describes the multimeter as an “electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions in one unit.”

As a matter of fact, aside from taking circuit continuity tests most modern multimeters has the capability measuring current (amperes), checking resistance (ohms) and testing voltage levels (volts). There are even other models that could test capacitors, diodes and transistors.

There are two types of multimeters: analog and digital.

If you are getting one, I would recommend getting the digital multimeter as it is generally more accurate compared to its analog counterpart. Some digital multimeters are so packed with features (most of which you are not likely to need).

Below are other parameters that modern multimeters can read (source: Wikipedia: Multimeter):

Parameters measured by a typical multimeter:
  • Voltage in volts.
  • Current in amperes.
  • Resistance in ohms.

Other multimeters may also measure:
  • Capacitance in farads.
  • Conductance in siemens.
  • Decibels.
  • Duty cycle as a percentage.
  • Frequency in hertz
  • Inductance in henrys
  • Temperature in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Digital multimeters may also include provisions for:
  • Continuity that beeps when a circuit conducts.
  • Diodes and Transistors

If you wish to learn more about what a multimeter is and how to work them, check out this very concise how-to guide from Doctronics.co.uk.

Thanks for reading this basic TV repair tips.

PlasmaLCDTVRepair.Rankwell.Net – Your Guide to Repairing Flat Screen TVs, Monitors and Displays

This site is dedicated to all those who are looking for information about the problems they are having with their flat screen displays whether they are the LCD or plasma variety (LED TV Repair coming soon!). Since this website’s inception in January of 2009, the flat screen television market has continued to grow with record unit sales being hit and showing to everyone that the age of the CRT TV is truly in its waning years. The surge in sales has been brought about by fierce competition among manufacturers which has led to fantastic drops in prices and although the quality of the flat screens have indeed improved, sooner or later these electronic devices will have problems and will require fixing and repair. This is where this site comes in.

If you are looking for some plasma or LCD TV troubleshooting information because you want to get an idea about how bad the problem may be with your LCD or plasma unit, you will find some useful tips in these pages. Just use the search function above by entering an appropriate term like “Samsung LCD TV Repair” or “Samsung LCD TV Problems” and see if the results apply to your particular problem. If not, you could check out the following highly recommended resources that should be able to help you in your problem: The Plasma and LCD TV Repair Guides both by electronics repair professional and expert Kent Liew. If you are looking to troubleshoot or fix your flat screen LCD monitor then you can check out the LCD Monitor Repair guide by another electronics professional Jestine Yong who also made two other electronics troubleshooting e-books (just do a search for “Jestine Yong”).

If you are an aspiring electronics repairer and is looking to supplement your education with new and updated and practical information, then you should find a lot of relevant leads from the links in this site’s sidebars (the practical information provided by Kent Liew and Jestine Yong should be of great help to your quest). Just browse them and see if you find what you need. Despite this site’s age, it is still a work in progress and I am still continually scouring the web for good information that will help us in troubleshooting and caring for our flat screen televisions and displays. If you have any information that you think may be of use to this site’s readers, please don’t hesitate to email me at admin @ rankwell.net.