Monitors

I just absolutely cannot emphasize this enough.  Monitors are dangerous.  Monitors hold thousands and thousands of volts.  They can still hold thousands of volts even after being unplugged for a length of time.  Moving, mounting and most especially discharing a monitor should be done carefully.  Not only can you shock yourself, you can get nasty collateral damage. The force of the shock could send your arm flying into sharp metal, glass, etc... Someone one posted that after shocking themselves on their monitor the force of the shock flung their arm out so hard their screwdriver imbedded itself in the wall across the room.  Also, if you drop the monitor, it will probably implode - read that as a mini-bomb going off with you at ground zero.  Glass shards can't be fun.  Please be careful.

Discharging a monitor

• The tool
• Your target - the anode
• Procedure
• Precautions
• Theory
• Don't!
• Disclaimer
• Credits (links!)

The tool

You'll need some sort of long thing metal object that's insulated on one end.  My preference is a long long thin flat blade screwdriver with plastic non-conductive handle. Take an electrical extension cord. Strip off several inches from both ends of the cord exposing the copper wire.  I would not recommend using anything smaller than an extension cord, like speaker wire for example.

Wrap the copper wire around the metal of the screwdriver near the handle. Make sure it's secure. Take electrical tape and mummify the wire so there's no copper exposed. I not only wrap the wire, but several inches of the screwdriver for good measure below the wire, and up onto the handle so no stray wires poke out where I'm going to grab the handle.
 
 

My monitor zapper. Click for a larger view

 

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Your target - the anode

On the monitor you'll see a little suction cup about 1 or 2 inches across. Probably dirty filthy black. Sometimes on  top of tube, sometimes bottom, sometimes side :) There will be a big wire coming out of it going into electronics of monitor.
 
 

The monitor's anode, looking down on monitor from above. Notice the "Danger, high voltage" label in the larger view. Click for a larger view

 
 

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The procedure

Take the exposed wire of your cord, and attach it securely to the metal frame of the monitor. Some folks solder a clamp on this end to make it easier. I just wrap the wire on to the metal frame.

 

The end of the wire wrapped around the metal frame. Click for a larger view

 
Put your left hand in your pocket. DO IT. This stops you from inadvertantly grabbing something and shocking yourself, or doing something dumb like trying to grab a falling screwdriver. If something does fall get away as fast as you can until it's stable. Also, if you are shocked, this position theoretically keeps the path of electricity away from circulating in your body to your heart, instead going down your body to ground.

Now, very very carefully slide the flat blade of the screwdriver under the suction cup, slowly. Don't scratch the tube. If there's still juice in the monitor, you'll hear an audible *pop* and probably see a spark. Keep sliding the screwdriver up until you hit metal in the
dead center.
 

About to insert the screwdriver  under the suction cup. Click for a larger view	The screwdriver is just barely under the suction cup now.  Expect a *pop* by now. Click for a larger view	Screwdriver fully insterted.  Monitor should be discharged. Click for a larger view

The astute observer will notice that contrary to advice, I'm using my left hand here.  This is for demonstration purposes only - I had to use my right hand to take the pictures.  I discharged the monitor properly before taking the pictures :)  

The suction cup basically covers a thin metal connection into the monitor tube. Once it pops, take the screwdriver out, wait a moment, discharge it again to be sure it's totally drained. First time you've done it? Sit down, because it sure scared the hell out of me :)
 

The suction cup removed.  You can't see it well, but there are two metal posts  that come out of the wire that insert into the opening in the tube. Click for a larger view

 


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Precautions

You must must must have everything unplugged before you do this!  Wear rubber gloves. Don't stand on raw concrete (water in concrete == good conducter of electricity == bad for  you). Do wear rubber soled shoes. Do stand on something dry and non conductive - a good rug (I stood on a rubber chair first time). Do make sure monitor is securely fastened before mucking with it.

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Theory

You are discharging the capacitor in the monitor. Shorting from the frame to the anode (I think that's the name) under the  suction cup discharges the capacitor suddenly, giving the pop and spark. It's like shorting a wire across both terminals of a battery  (don't do it :) ). Some monitors discharge themselves slowly over time unplugged, so you won't get a pop. Some don't. Always attempt to discharge a monitor before mucking with it.

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Don't do this!

Some people have thought, erroneously, that you could put the other end of your wire into a ground somewhere instead of wiring to frame, like grounding an appliance to your house wiring's ground. Don't don't don't. This isn't what you're doing here.  This won't short the capacitor in the monitor, and will probably zap the hell out of you.

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Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: I'm not an electrician. I have done this several times now, but all my information is based on what I've heard on the net. It could very well be wrong.  If you're in doubt, don't do this.  Damage may result to your monitor, or to you.  You've been warned.

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Credit

Most of my knowledge and courage came from reading the Cap Kit Installation 101 guide.  I heartily recommend visiting it before you start.  Many of the details came from the very knowledgable and friendly folks on the Arcade Enthusiasts Mailing List and the Vectorlist.  Thanks to everyone!