Vacuum cleaners vs.

[BarbaRosa]

Color TV's?
My sister once informed me that I should not have a color tv on turned while I was vacuuming. Since then I have always turned the tv off when I vacuum.

Is this fact or folklore? Has anyone heard of this?

[Jamastiene]

1. Myth based on fact.

The aperture grid on a color television reacts to the static as if the electron guns inside were painting the picture on the screen and it can discolor your television (interference) temporarily . Technically, it won't permanently hurt the television though. It'll just cause interference. Not a biggie.

[mwooldri]

2. Probably that problem doesn't happen with todays LCD/Plasma screens.

Cathode-ray tube screen TVs seem to be going the way of the dinosaurs these days.

I think a similar thing happens with hairdryers. The problem is only exacerbated if you're watching TV using rabbit ears.

Mark.