What is a hot SS chassis?

[rca2000]

MOST often...modern sets that have an SMPS power supply are 'cold" chassis, other than the primary side of the power supply. This has been pretty much the standard since the late 1980's or so--as sets with AV I/O connectors became popular. It IS possible to have AV connectors and such with a hot chassis, BUT it then becomes a big deal , using a bunch of either isolating networks using either transformers or optocouplers for EVERY connector, in or out. With a cold chassis-isolation is not necessary.

Now...there IS a type of SMPS out there...that is NOT isolated,known as the "buck converter", but it is not often used anymore. Zenith did use it on the 9_516 chassis.

Pretty much if you see an SMPS transformer on the chassis in the power supply...thee set IS isolated. Especially if it has multiple AV in/outs .

Also, since SMPS sets tend to be less power hungry than those with a hot linear regulator--most al sets these day are SMPS powered and cold. I have NEVER seen a flat panel with a hot chassis. Hot inverters yes--but chassis NO.

Now--Sony did NOT often use a cold chassis, into the mid-1990's or so--it was common to see a hot chassis with a bunch of isolation networks on the AV board, often ceramic-covered..But finally--they went to cold SMPS supplies...done the "Sony way"..with difficult to keep repaired ckty that was VERY finicky and delicate.

I have always been partial to cold chassis...and ALWAYS will be. Be it a tv, amp, radio or stereo chassis.