Here is my problem. I have had 3 monitors go out within a year. These are CRT, no flat monitors. The most recent monitor was the HP monitor which came with the computer. I have always had surge protectors hooked up, and even upgraded several times to better surge protectors. I now use a Prime surge protector that is supposed to protect up to 1800 jouls. My other monitors would start by developing lines in the screen sometimes, which would go away after the monitor was on. One of the monitors lost color. The newer HP monito has now started smelling like it is smoking or somehting is burning when it is on. It has a faint line when fsirt turned on that flickers in the middle of the screen. Some people are telling me that it is my video card. Why would this cause a monitor to go out? Others, have told me it is my electrical outlit. I have a surge protector, but does this only protect spikes? What if there is a constant higher amperage? I checked the voltage myself with a multimeter and it was 120v. So this is fine, but should I be conserned about amperage being a factor here? I called an electrical company and the woman who answered the phone told me that everyting would go out if it was an electrical issue and my surge protector would trip. I looked inside the computer thinking I would change the video card...it is part of the motherboard, so that is not happening. I just don't know how it could be the video card, especially that would cause a burning smell from a monitor. Any ideas? Anyone had this happen to them. My guess is there may still be a problem with the electricity, but according to electrical company receptionist..it is not electrical.
Any help is much appreciated.

My guess would be just bad luck. But if you have high ambient temperatures or extreme humidity, that can cause premature failures of equipment.

"What if there is a constant higher amperage?"

The anount of amperage is determined by the voltage supplied by the electrical company and the device consuming the amperage. As long as the voltage remains at 120V the amperage will not vary unless the device fails.

Would it make a difference if the room was around 80 degrees or warmer a few months a year? The equipment gets warmer than this when it runs even if you put it in 60 degree room. This equipment is in a room in a house, not around rain or humidity, since indoors. I keep all equipment off most of the time except for when in use, which is usually at night or just minutes during the day. Also, why would the computer not go out and just the monitors? Maybe it is bad luck. I guess I could buy another monitor for $100 and see how it does. Thanks for the reply.

No those temps wouldn't make a diff and neither would the humidity. It would take a lot of humidity to the point where it would form water droplets to cause any damage.

Why it is not happening to your pc case? Generally, pc cases are less sensitive then CRT's or LCD's when it comes to electrical wave consistency, meaning it doesn't have to be a constant flow of electricity of the same amount. As long as it's in a certain range area of electrical current flow, then your pc case can handle it without problems. Your power supply is an example of that. Your pc case doesn't use a consistent electrical flow of electricity all the time, it flux waits based on the amount of power it needs, which then fluxs waits the electrical wave current coming out of your outlet.

It's either an electrical problem within your wall outlet, or you have had just bad luck. If it happens again, I’d advise you to have an electrician take a look at your wall outlets and test them throughout your place.

You should also check the hot to ground and neutral to ground. Hot to ground should be 120V and neutral to ground should be less then 1v ac. If that checks ok, it sounds like your "lucky meter" with monitors isn't working :). I would also check the power to and what's coming out of the surge protector to the actual monitor. Could be the surge isn't working up to snuff.

ive had some problems with monitors i went through a spate of them just dieing after 2 years. i think it was just down to bad luck.
since my latest has last 5 years. i think alot of these crts are built with alot of fueses inside to stop them from going bang big time. i suspect there a bit sensitive and burn out quickly. problem is to pay to find the fault is just as much as a new one.

i have a sneeky feeling also that the reason alot of monitors are going bang is due to the refresh rate and resolution. my hunch is the monitor may be go up to the maximum of what it is specified however in actual fact they degrade faster. bit like running a car with max revs all the time. itll be fine for a bit but soon wears out. i rember with the old old crts it was best not to have the brightness turned up too much because this shorted there life.

having said that 3 in a year well this may not be the case

all text needs typos. There there for the reader to find,to distract them from the total lack of content.
google it! wasnt the answer to the question i asked so dont be dense and give me that reply

It sounds like I should just buy a new monitor. This time I think I will try a new flat screen. Yes, it is correct that the cost to have an electrician to run a test, is the same as the cost to buy a new monitor. I wish there was a gauge I could hook in between the Surge protector and the monitor and computer which will show the current amps/ volts and maybe even a temperature monitor. With this being said, if there are such things, what brand names are good and where can I get them? These are similar things I would have on my cars I build, similar to fuel pressure and transmission temp gauges.

Thanks again everyone!

To check for amperage you would need an AMP Meter, they can be had for $40-50 at a home center you also would need an adapter to plug the cord into in order to be able to make the measurement.
Surge protectors are not going to help if what you are having on an occasion is a VOLTAGE DROP on the line, I would suggest you get a decent uninterruptible power supply (UPS)and plug your computer and monitor into it as they can help ride out any over or under voltage on the line and will also work as a surge protector.

Keep the old stuff running

forget the last post.
leave using an amp meter to the proffesionals.
if you make a mistake it can be game over.
this is so dangerous.
dont do it. the most a non profesional should use a amp meter on is a battery anything thats in the mains its really dangerous. even a car battery can give enough kick to be dangerous!
so dont do it

all text needs typos. There there for the reader to find,to distract them from the total lack of content.
google it! wasnt the answer to the question i asked so dont be dense and give me that repl