worth learning electronics

[brinks]

Want to learn about electronics so i can repair things. Is it true that most electronic gadgets are only repairable by the companies that manufacture them.

thank you,
brinks

 

[(*steve*)]

Most equipment can officially only be serviced by the manufacturer or their agents. One problem I'd where the manufacturer has ceased to support the item, or (and this is becoming more frequent) the manufacturer never did.

A knowledge of electronics can give you a shot at doing it yourself.

Don't believe that there are "no user serviceable parts inside" until you've taken a look.

There are lots of threads here about people fixing stuff.

 

[hevans1944]

Want to learn about electronics so i can repair things. Is it true that most electronic gadgets are only repairable by the companies that manufacture them. ...

No, it is NOT true, although some manufacturers would like you to believe that.

The biggest problem is identifying and purchasing replacement parts. Some of these are proprietary to the manufacturer, who can be pretty choosy about who is allowed to purchase them. Commonly available parts like resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, etc. can be replaced if you can identify them or their function. Do what @(*steve*) suggested: open it up and take a look. There might be something obvious like a burnt resistor, a leaking or bulging electrolytic capacitor, blown fuse, burnt circuit board trace, or any number of other things you can repair without too much knowledge or experience in electronics. If you are stumped, take some close up, well-lighted, pictures of both sides of any circuit boards and upload them here. Don't forget to include manufacturer and model number of whatever you are trying to repair.

 

[brinks]

No, it is NOT true, although some manufacturers would like you to believe that.

The biggest problem is identifying and purchasing replacement parts. Some of these are proprietary to the manufacturer, who can be pretty choosy about who is allowed to purchase them. Commonly available parts like resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, etc. can be replaced if you can identify them or their function. Do what @(*steve*) suggested: open it up and take a look. There might be something obvious like a burnt resistor, a leaking or bulging electrolytic capacitor, blown fuse, burnt circuit board trace, or any number of other things you can repair without too much knowledge or experience in electronics. If you are stumped, take some close up, well-lighted, pictures of both sides of any circuit boards and upload them here. Don't forget to include manufacturer and model number of whatever you are trying to repair.

Thank You very much

 

[brinks]

Most equipment can officially only be serviced by the manufacturer or their agents. One problem I'd where the manufacturer has ceased to support the item, or (and this is becoming more frequent) the manufacturer never did.

A knowledge of electronics can give you a shot at doing it yourself.

Don't believe that there are "no user serviceable parts inside" until you've taken a look.

There are lots of threads here about people fixing stuff.

Thank You very much