Successful TPU-ECD replication !

[giantkiller]

We can be an answer or we can cripple the process to fruition of a problem. How bad do you want it?

Dwell on the final results.

--giantkiller.

[Ergo]

Actually, the strike voltage for a CCFL is dependant on the length and diameter of the CCFL.  For a typical CCFL used in the average sized LCD computer monitors, the strike voltage is around 500V and uses around 3 mA, which is still less than 2 watts. 

From this statement I conclude you don't have any first hand experience from high voltage backlight inverters.
You are right about the voltage being 500V RMS in a regular 15-17" LCD but this is just the voltage going in the tubes.
The voltage I'm talking about is the voltage BEFORE the CCFL adaptation capacitors directly at the transformer output.
This voltage is typically in the range of 3000-4000V depending on the wattage and size of the display.
Try measuring this voltage with your oscilloscope using a regular probe..... I know by a personal misstake.
An employe used one of the company oscilloscopes and he just tested putting the probe against the HV output.
That scope only had one working channel after that incidence.

[Ergo]

It is clear to me that it would take a significant amount of power to fry even a cheap oscilloscope.

It dosen't take power to fry the input of a scope. It takes high voltage, especially at high frequencies.
The input is made of high impedance and very sensitive FETs that will die at the slightest abuse.
Of course the scope inputs have protection against abuse but it doesn't protect in all possible cases.

[giantkiller]

Little boxes are the most confining.

--giantkiller. Study Radiant energy and see the wonder beyond the dogma.

[wattsup]

@Ergo and @Drossen

Since you guys are talking about TV and computer Monitors, and high voltages, what are you ideas on how a TV can just blow up or implode as related by SM. May as well put your tech savvy to some constructive use here.