Testing TV Smoothing Capacitor

[CAWORK]

When testing the smoothing capacitor as mentioned on the Highland Electrix website below, with the capacitor been in the mains power supply area would the voltage across the capacitor be tested with the multimeter been set on to AC Volts or DC Volts?

I know it is quite a basic question but it is all that I am asking.

Many Thanks

http://www.highlandelectrix.fsnet.co.uk/

 

[rjb2001]

It will be DC volts on a smoothing capacitor but please be careful - rectified (AC converted to DC) mains voltage will be in the region of 325Vdc (~230Vac * 1.414).

Without being rude, if you don't know if you should be measuring AC or DC are you really sure you want to be poking around in the back of your TV set (especially round the power supply) and where you can have voltages in the many kV (1000's of volts!) ranges.

These voltages can be present even when the TV has been switched off for hours/days/weeks.

 

[Gees]

When testing the smoothing capacitor as mentioned on the Highland Electrix website below, with the capacitor been in the mains power supply area would the voltage across the capacitor be tested with the multimeter been set on to AC Volts or DC Volts?

I know it is quite a basic question but it is all that I am asking.

Many Thanks

http://www.highlandelectrix.fsnet.co.uk/[/QUOTE]

Be very careful if you do decide to poke about inside your TV set.
Believe me smoothing caps can bite ( and i mean BITE )
The shock they provide hurts like hell and can kill you.. And thats after the set has been switched off

My advice to you is don't even think about "having a look" at something you have no experience with... I did TV repairs for years and you will be able to do Nothing with a faulty power supply without a diagram and knowledge.....

 

[CAWORK]

Thanks for the advice. What I did not say is that I have relevant qualifications regarding TV servicing but have only ever done practical testing and faultfinding like that mentioned when I was doing the course around five years back. I understand about capacitors working with DC current etc but the bit about it been in the mains power supply just seemed a bit confusing. As for the safety advice I am already aware of the risks etc but I appreciate it all been mentioned.

Many Thanks

 

[rjb2001]

Better to be safe than sorry!

This is a pretty good site for stock faults:
www.eserviceinfo.com

Good luck and stay safe.

 

[Gees]

Thanks for the advice. What I did not say is that I have relevant qualifications regarding TV servicing but have only ever done practical testing and faultfinding like that mentioned when I was doing the course around five years back. I understand about capacitors working with DC current etc but the bit about it been in the mains power supply just seemed a bit confusing. As for the safety advice I am already aware of the risks etc but I appreciate it all been mentioned.

Many Thanks

Capacitors are used on AC and DC voltages.
They pass AC voltages and block DC.
The value and physical make up of a capacitor varies immensely depending on what it is used for...

I wonder what course you did? I packed in the TV repair business about 5 years ago as there was just no demand any more....