Power off LCD monitor, would that harm the hardware?

[Peroxyde]

Hi,

I rarely turn off my monitor. The computer is configured to turn off the screen after 10 minutes (screen black, power light goes to orange).

However, in order to settle the argument with a friend who argues in favor of powering off the monitor. I would like to know if there is any harm to power off/on repeatedly the monitor (using the power button of the monitor).

Thanks for any help.

 

[Jaskalas]

This may vary depending on each make / model, but my HP has been turned off every night since Oct 2009. I had a dell I did the same with from 04-09 and last I checked it's still working fine.

I too worry what the implications are. I figure some day it may break, but it's too bright in my room with it powered regardless of how dark the PC tries, and fails, to make it.

 

[KingFatty]

I think the main concern is whether the fluorescent backlight (or LEDs) is powered or unpowered.

Because you are having the monitor go into low-power mode where the backlight is turned off, you won't be wearing out the backlight. I wouldn't worry about the other circuitry that is kept on (as indicated by the orange power light), other than a small drain on electricity that you pay for over the years.

If you really want to settle the argument with your friend, obtain the circuit diagram for your monitor and see how it's wired - I bet there is a switch that cuts the power to the items of concern in the same way whether you power off the monitor or allow the computer to put the monitor in powersave.

I think a majority of LCD displays go bad due to cheap capacitors that swell/burst. When that happens, you just need to replace the caps as the backlight and other circuitry is perfectly fine. I recently bought a "broken" LCD display (Samsung 204B) for $10, paid another $2 to order the replacement capacitors, and had a fully functional LCD display after 1 hour of soldering/assembly.

 

[Peroxyde]

If you really want to settle the argument with your friend, obtain the circuit diagram for your monitor and see how it's wired - I bet there is a switch that cuts the power to the items of concern in the same way whether you power off the monitor or allow the computer to put the monitor in powersave.

Thank you very much for your detailed answer. We are totally ignorant about the circuitry. I guessed that powersave by the OS is the same than a physical power off. Thank you for confirming.

The question we argued between us was: He said by using the physical power on/off will help to extend the monitor lifetime. While I think it's the opposite. Can you please arbitrate?

 

[rockyjohn]

Check your manual and see if it has any guidance. If you don't have one - or don't want to spend time rummaging for it -you can usually find one online at the manufacturer's site under support.

I alway leave my monitor on and just put PC in sleep mode, which puts my monitor into power saving mode. According to my specs, my monitor uses 52w when operating and less than 1 watt in "Active-Off Mode". So I calculate it would cost me $1.31 cents @ 15 cents per KW to keep in on in that mode for the whole year - 24/7. Since powering it off and on causes some risk to any electrical system, albeit a low one, I am willing to spend that for insurance.

Further, my manual says that is uses the same "less than 1 watt" when the screen is completely shut down. I am guess that means the "off" button does not fully turn off all power, but the manufacturer has already decided to keep the same minimal power going to the system to protect delicate circuity from power surges - but I am just guessing here.