Have you ever wondered what happens if your LED TV gets wet? If you have a flat screen TV that you want to move outside to the garden, patio or pool area, be warned…
In our previous posts we have outlined how critical it is to have a waterproof TV for your outside TV use (even if your TV is being used undercover).
You don’t have to go to the trouble and expense of buying a specialised outdoor TV to get a perfect outdoor entertainment area. SealTV have fully weatherproof, tamperproof and fireproof enclosures for a fraction of the expense of a specialised TV, plus, you can use almost any flat screen TV you already own.
Seal your TV in the stylish clear casing and have it completely modified for outside use without a worry in the world.
If you ignore our warnings or if you accidently get your TV wet then you do need to worry. Worry a lot. It doesn’t need to be a lot of moisture either, dew or a splash from a garden hose or half a glass of beer is enough to do irreparable damage to your screen.
Here are some crucial steps to follow if you TV is exposed to any amount of moisture:
- Turn the unit off (and keep it off)
- Unplug it from the wall
- Take it to a TV repair centre
DO NOT check to see if the unit is okay before you go. Go straight away.
This is because the components of your screen and the components of the hardboard talk to each other through a fine comb of copper teeth.
Copper is used because it’s a perfect electrical conductor. It’s super fast and efficient, it’s also quite fragile, which is why your indoor TVs are required to be confined to a controlled environment.
A wet TV will show signs of stress very quickly.
Water is another fantastic (less stable) conductor of electricity. The perfect combination of water, copper and electricity will create a corrosive mix known as electrolysis that will burn out the copper and kill communication systems between your screen and your hardwiring. It is fatal. Your TV will not be able to be repaired.
This is why it’s essential that you turn your TV off, unplug it and don’t use it again until it has been checked, cleaned and carefully dried off by a certified technician.
Outside, your TV is at high risk of exposure to dew, humidity, rain, dust, sprinklers and insects, none of which are covered by your insurance.
Get on this early and your TV can be returned to you, with just the repair fees for your troubles. Try to use a wet flat screen TV and you’ll be sending it to the recycling centre.
I’d love to share this video of a TV service tech doing an open operation on a ‘watered LCD TV.’ He walks us through the dissection and provides step-by-step evidence of the damage. When you see how small these copper teeth are you’ll understand how even a small amount of moisture can do rapid damage. It’s also a great demonstration that electricity, water and circuitry really aren’t a great match.
See the dissection and analysis of the 40-inch Sony Bravia LED LCD TV in this YouTube video by norcal715.
It’s as painful as it sounds so follow one simple rule. Enclose your TV before you take it outside.
If your TV gets wet, do not be a TV scrapyard statistic like this Bravia. Protect your pride and joy in a proven weatherproof casing and watch responsibly!