Fitting glomex aerial - TV blew up!

[VicS]

I'd not expect the aerial socket to be live on a modern UK television even if the live and neutral were reversed.

We are not talking about live chassis TVs like the old valve sets of the dinosaur age.
( God knows how we did not electrocute ourselves messing about with them )

I'd think in the case of the OP's television there must have been a fault that made the aerial socket live.

Just checked three televisions. None has any continuity between the mains wiring and the aerial socket.

 

[nigelmercier]

BERt T... You obviously know much more than me...

I wouldn't bet on it.

The bottom line is if this TV has metal parts exposed that have any connection to the phase or neutral, then smash the screen and chuck it in a skip.

 

[William_H]

Shock hazard

In oz and I presume UK etc appliances can be described as "double insulated". This means there are no metal parts that can be touched so nothing to connect an earth wire to so 2 wire cord and plug is OK.
Tv is usually 3 wire because of the earth connection of the antenna. However sometimes I think this can be isolated by a capacitor on the earth side as well as the active.
Modern TV s computers etc have a switch mode power supply where they go to some trouble to isolate both mains connections from the electronics of the set. This is done by transformer coupling and opto isolators for the feedback for voltage control.
Presumably your TV was considered double insulated when designed. Obviously however it has become not double insulated and the earth of the antenna input has become connected to one of the mains wires. It was only a matter of time before this became a serious safety hazard.
You are very lucky you touched the antenna socket earth with the earthed antenna output rather than your finger. You would have had a shock and depending on how well your body was earthed you may well have been electroplated. (fried to a crisp and lots of other euphemisms for death by electrocution.)
Yes get the TV fixed then check it yourself to double check it or just accidentally lose the TV overboard.
good luck (you have already had a lot of good luck) olewill

 

[Mrnotming]

The Scene:A rainy night in Dublin City,
The TV man is returning a set to an old couple whose living room is somewhat gloomy,
He feels around with his finger for the antenna socket on the TV whilst holding the antenna plug in his other hand.
BANG! Will never forget that moment!Lucky to be alive!
DUMPING your TV might be the wisest, unless new or under guarantee!
The new sets are great, especially if 12V is an option as it is on the Manhattan 22" I got in Carrefour, France, for €150 or thereabouts.
Remember to check your Marina supply for polarity also as this can be reversed.Inexpensive polarity testers are available.

 

[Laundryman]

Tv blew up

I can't help with your problem but I can offer some confidence. I too have a Glomex antenna system and it works great. It's one of the few things I've bought in recent years that actually does 'what it says on the tin'. Good luck. Alan

 

[Cardo]

I have had the pleasure of electrocuting myself when touching the back of numerous Hi-Fi appliances in countries with only two pronged plugs. This is stuff from well known and high end brands.
Sadly, manufacturing defects often occur and quite often if a plug is plugged in the "wrong way" then a lot of the metal sockets on the back of the appliance become live. One becomes quite adept at testing things before touching them!

 

[st599]

I have had the pleasure of electrocuting myself

No you haven't. You may have had an electric shock, but not electrocution.

 

[Cardo]

No you haven't. You may have had an electric shock, but not electrocution.

Sheesh, and I get called pedantic!

 

[Ursula123]

Thanks

Thanks for all your help and advice chaps.
I appreciate the differing opinions and inputs (no pun intended)
Took the telly back to Morrisons and got it exchanged. Wished I had gone for 12v, but this has built in DVD.
I will test voltage carefully with plug in different positions or wire in Tv permanently once I work out right way round. I will also test all metal connections and the voltage between and amp and 22ov neutral.
Cheers
Adrian

 

[ProDave]

There's no question, the TV was faulty and dangerous.

ALL tv's sold now have isolated power supplies, so regardless of what type of mains supply you plug it into, you should not measure any real voltage on any of the connectors.

If you get the same model to replace it, do check first with your volt meter. If you get a voltage reading on the replacement, take it back, tell them it's a dangerous design, and swap it for a different model.

 

[Cardo]

Took the telly back to Morrisons and got it exchanged. Wished I had gone for 12v, but this has built in DVD.

If I were you, I'd seriously consider something like this:
http://www.kogan.com/uk/buy/19-led-tv-dvd-pvr-digital-tuner-kogan-freeview/
It's what we have on the boat, also connected to a Glomex amp/aerial.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Thanks for all your help and advice chaps.
I appreciate the differing opinions and inputs (no pun intended)
Took the telly back to Morrisons and got it exchanged. Wished I had gone for 12v, but this has built in DVD.
I will test voltage carefully with plug in different positions or wire in Tv permanently once I work out right way round. I will also test all metal connections and the voltage between and amp and 22ov neutral.
Cheers
Adrian

This is the best solution.
12v, DVD, Freeview, QuickTime, Mpeg......

Www.avtex.co.uk

 

[DaveS]

This is the best solution.
12v, DVD, Freeview, QuickTime, Mpeg......

Www.avtex.co.uk

AVG reports that link as infected.