Any repair that requires opening up the camera case requires some electrical background and knowledge, and should not be conducted by anyone unfamiliar with basic electrical components and safety precautions. If you must open up your camera in an attempt to repair it, it is very important that you understand that there is some risk of SEVERE electrical shock. All digital cameras contain a flash capacitor. This device stores quite a bit of electrical energy from the camera's batteries. This energy is utilized to power the camera's flash. The device itself looks a little like a battery, and in turn draws its power from the camera's batteries. In order to work on your camera, it will be necessary to safely drain the capacitor of any residual charge it may have.
Flash Capacitor
The following link is downloadable procedures for safely discharging the flash capacitor to greatly reduce the risk of electrical shock. Before downloading, the usual warning of “Follow these procedures at your own risk. These procedures should only be considered as a last resort on a broken camera with an expired warranty. I take no responsibility should you damage your camera in following these steps. Also note that there is some danger of electrical shock. I also take no responsibility if you accidentally zap yourself while following these procedures.” Here's the link to the procedures:
31 comments:
all posted here are very helpful and so interested in it.
Do you have anything to tell about "static electricity" when somebady would open up a camera?
Same as for all electronics, a static discharge into a microchip can destroy it. Many cameras utilize a metal frame or mounting bracket as a central grounding point for the numerous components of the camera. After opening the camera avoid touching any internal components until the capacitor has been discharged. After this has been done, it might be a good idea to also touch the metal grounding frame to discharge any potential static buildup.
Thanks a lot for the prompt reply. Glad to see person like you and will come back here time to time.
Good luck.
FYI: I recently disassembled my daughters HP M425 camera after it was dropped. I felt several small "burning" shocks in my finger, but I also received a whopper of a shock that darn near knocked me off the chair. Just thought I would share that if someone has a heart condition, pacemaker, or other disorder, I'm guessing that little capacitor could kill a person. I was very surprised at the intensity of the "big shock" especially after it had been partially discharged with several "little ones" before this.
Hah I wish I had of known this a few hours ago. I got jolted bigtime and a fright.
Sadly I'm reading this too after being on the receiving end of a jolt that I could feel all the way into my shoulder.
Course I survived :) but is there anything to worry about as far as after effects go?
If you're able to read this post, you should be OK with no lasting effects.
fsbsnklearn more about electrical troubleshooting at htt://electricalrepair.blogspot.com
learn more about electrical troubleshooting at http://electricalrepair.blogspot.com
Yeah, I just shocked the piss out of myself trying to repair an A303 I picked up. I had no clue there was a cap in these things that retained such a charge, and having repaired plenty of things in this fashion before am used to just willy-nilly opening things up and having a look around.
I've got literally knocked unconscious by the capacitor of Canon A520. After a huge shock I received I discharged the capacitor by short circuiting its terminals and there was enough energy left for a great spark an bang. Also the metal plate I use for this has left with some welding marks. These things are dangerous. Please, take care.
NEVER directly short-circuit a camera capacitor, such as you did with a metal plate. A resistive load should be used to slowly discharge the capacitor, and thus avoid the large spark and bang. Preferably a cheap analog volt-meter should also be used to verify that the capacitor has been fully discharged (can also be used as the resistive load to discharge the capacitor).
CR
Is it not possible to somehow do this with a digital multimeter? I don't have an analog voltmeter, and I'd rather not just rush out and buy one. What are my other options here?
You can let the camera sit without a battery installed for a week. You can also use a resistor to dump the flash charge. A resistor between 1000 to 10000 ohms should work fine, and allow a safe slow discharge. Still make sure that you insulate yourself from the leads when doing this. Also double/triple check with your multimeter to verify that the capacitor has truly been discharged.
CR
You will notice the lightning bolt logo on the top next to the camera, centered above the LCD, next to the speaker. The contacts on either side are also a place to access the capacitor without cutting the plastic or undoing the 3 screws at the top. (Yes, I found this the hard way when opening it up, 330 volts or whatever will wake you up...)
another shocked latecomer! i just completely disassembled my powershot a80 and thought i felt a little shock at some point, so small i thought maybe just a sharp splinter of steel, moved on. got a bigger shock later and treated the thing with more respect! all around silly situation, as i disassembled it before reading the problem i'm having is a common one (CCD connector) and i could have had it repaired for free by canon. d'oh...now to re-assemble it and hope canon are nice. i shall read that PDF first!
Would it help if I wore rubber gloves? Couldn't conduct electricity so I can handle it without grabbing only the plastic parts.
I disassembled my camera without knowing this and got a capacitor shock. Does this render the camera useless or can I still repair it/take it to a repair shop?
There's a small possibility if you shorted yourself directly through a chip, but I'd say the chance is small. Your body is a pretty good resistor, and would likely have considerably lowered the voltage going through any chips. Recommend trying to repair it, but this time being better aware and taking precautions for the potential for shock.
CR
So, what's up with not using a digital multimeter?
/M
anonymous,
It's internal resistance should be much higher than the old analog meters (no coil needed to move a needle). It should thus take a much longer time to bleed off the charge with a digital multimeter than with an old analog meter. But then again, I've never tried it with a digital meter. How about it? Has anyone tried bleeding off the charge with a digital multimeter, and if so, about how long did it take?
CR
Hi,
Thanks for posting this warning.
I'm going to be repairing my DSLR this summer. Will an analog multimeter work to discharge the capacitor?
Hi,
Add me to the list of latecomers. I got a real doozer of a shock. I discharged the capacitor and I have harvested the electronics inside for hacking fun.
I wish I had searched for this before I stared working...
Thanks for a great site and some real good information!
I'm considering repairing my nikon SB-800 speedlight. I cracked the display and got a hold of a replacement lcd display.
I'm quite hesitant do discharge the flash unit myself and thus have two questions:
1. Is it possible for the flash to discharge itself if I leave it without batteries long enough? (whats long enough, one week, one month?)
2. Do I have to discharge it in order to change the display?
regards
I am trying to access 'flash capacitor safety' but cannot/do not want to run the BIN file: http://ry2k9q.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pEo342ljo7rFCrpjuTIMM8P3U6v4NpLnm9lV4eTUeBjzEtLm0y3-RiazgWfKHbr3nuhIk0HEUsfr7nv2rUvGh7w/Flash%20Capacitor%20Safety.pdf?download
Can you put up a link to the pdf please?
John,
The first link downnloads the file from Microsoft Skydrive storage. But have placed a second link to another file storage site (fileden) with the requested file.
CR
Hi there,
I'd like to receive some advices from a person that knows or at least has an idea of what's causing my problem. I have a digital camera made by Casio , model EX-Z500 , and the problem it has is that the flash is not working. When i try using it , the small led on the top starts blinking in an orange color and the camera's not taking any photo. As soon as i switch the flash off , it is able to take photos , the led getting green.
So , could someone figure this out? I'd like to have even a small hint on what could cause it and if is worth repairing it.
You may post a message here so if others share the same problem , they know this way what's the way to fix it.
Thank you!
Radu,
It's likely that your flash tube has burned out. Unfortunately this is not an easy fix, and actually for most cameras it is easier to change out the entire flash assembly (acquired from a broken ebay camera with other issues). Wouldn't recommend that you try this repair unless you have some experience with electronics and soldering.
CR
Add me to the list of latecomers! Got one hell of a shock.Didnt even think of the camera having a capacitor until i got zaapped.
So... I just dropped my Canon PowerShot SX110. Dropped means it felt about 1.5 m while taking pictures with timer. Lens where opened. After the fall the camera just shut down and it doesn't open any more.
Any advice before I'll try not to electrocute myself?
Kat,
Yes, please see this article first, and if that's not the issue, then see this article next. Try both of the above before even considering opening your camera.
CR
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