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From: larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman)
Newsgroups: net.micro.pc
Subject: Re: Hard disk shut-down (really terminal fires)
Message-ID: <1379@kitty.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 25-Oct-86 00:02:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: kitty.1379
Posted: Sat Oct 25 00:02:32 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 25-Oct-86 07:22:23 EDT
References: <302@neoucom.UUCP> <2475@gitpyr.gatech.EDU>
Organization: Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, NY
Lines: 30
Keywords: computer on, but monitor off please
Summary: ANOTHER computer-related "scare"...

In article <2475@gitpyr.gatech.EDU>, gt6294b@gitpyr.gatech.EDU (SCHEUTZOW,MICHAEL J) writes:
> >Its a darn good idea to turn the monitor off ...
> >while everyone is out of the office.  We have 50 or
> >60 terminals and monitors of various types around here, and have
> >had several spontaneously catch fire in the CRT assembly.
> ...
> I find it difficult to believe that that many terminals or computers
> are on the verge of self-incineration, as implied by this posting.  
> 
> Now that the VDT-radiation scare has subsided, maybe it's time for a
> new crisis.   Anyone else care to offer a humble opinion?

	There is nothing in a CRT monitor which is any more prone to catch
fire than in a computer itself.
	CRT monitors have no more than 24 volts DC present in any circuit
element, with the exception of the high voltage accelerating potential
circuit.  Now, THAT circuit may well have 12 to 25 kilovolts of DC, but will
be so current-limited (a few microamperes), that one would be hard-pressed
to start a fire by intentionally removing the anode wire and arcing it between
ground and a piece of paper!
	What else is there _different_ in a CRT that will burn?  The
deflection yoke?  No way!

	Now, let's talk about a REAL VDT problem:  I hear that VDT's cause
an unhealthy buildup of negative phlogiston in the atmosphere... :-)

==>  Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York
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