OK, so you're already asking: if it's number three, what are one and two? Few would argue that the multimeter (or more likely a DMM these days) and a 'scope well and truly take the first two spots.

But if you're into repairing TV sets and/or video monitors, a shorted turns tester in your tool box or on the bench can save you hours of wasted time - not to mention a lot of expense. However, we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves.

What does it do?

Partially assembled Shorted Turns Tester shows the battery holder in place in the case bottom and the PC board ready to mount on its threaded spacers with the LEDs poking through the front panel. In the DSE kit these holes are pre-punched, saving you a lot of time and trouble (rectangular holes are a cow to drill ...)

Ummm - isn't that blindingly obvious? Shorted turns tester? Tests for shorted turns?

Yes, it does just that - but unless you ARE a TV or monitor technician, you're probably still none the wiser. Let's go back a few steps.

In all traditional (ie, CRT-equipped) TV sets and video monitors there is a horizontal output stage (also called the line output stage).

You could regard this as the "business end" of the TV set/monitor. It's job is to supply appropriate signals and the extra high tension (around 20-30,000V) the picture tube needs to make it operate.

Operating at high voltages, frequencies and power levels, the horizontal output stage is one of the most-stressed sections of the circuit and is responsible for more than a fair share of faults in TV sets and monitors. Unfortunately, faults in the horizontal output stage are often difficult to find - and many a technician has replaced the principal (and most expensive) component, the line output transformer, only to find the fault is somewhere else.