Quote:
Originally Posted by etype2
My perception at the time was transistor sets were more reliable, transistors don't burn out like tubes.
|
Transistors do not "burn out" as do vacuum tubes, since, of course, transistors do not have filaments; however, they can short or develop intermittent connections. The other hazard to watch out for with transistor TVs, radios, etc. is, if you use them with outdoor antennas (or even indoor ones), static charges. These can destroy transistors in an instant; there are no second chances.
Static electricity from wool or nylon carpets, etc. injected into the set through the antenna can ruin solid-state gear just that quickly. I read years ago of someone who inadvertently did a tremendous amount of damage to his solid-state clock radio, stereo system, lamp dimmers, etc. because of static electricity. It is almost incredible how much current a single static spark can carry. Touch a solid-state radio or TV's indoor antenna without discharging yourself to a grounded surface first and, nine times out of ten, the tremendous static charge will damage or destroy the antenna coil and/or tuner in the blink of an eye.