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electric current on tower?
- Thread starter Temjin
- Start date
Suspect you have a case of static. Normally won't create any problems since everything inside is shielded. Occasionally you might get a reboot. If you have problems with the ground in the power cord the effects might be more severe. Try touching the case with a key or a coin before your skin makes contact. Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.
efair@atlnet.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.
brendanhedges
Technical User
Rather than static it is most likly to be a faulty PSU in your system. Swap it out and see if the shocks still occur. And yes you will almost definatly damage the comps internal componants if this carries on.
hope this helps
hope this helps
ShaithisDanoveur
MIS
Having seen this many times, I have to say the PSU is the main suspected component, unless you're also running around receiving shocks off the doorknobs and what-not at the moment. If you're in a very dry environment static is fairly dominant right now.
However, if these shocks are not the light little joy jolts you get from scuffing your socks across carpet but the kind that make you forget your name and bite through jawbreakers, you've got a very serious problem that would argue the safety of use beyond reading these messages and then promptly turning the unit off until it can be serviced, either by you or professionally. And if it isn't the static, then yes, it can decimate your components.
On the bright side, you can get replacement power supplies for under $50 for most computer models.
However, if these shocks are not the light little joy jolts you get from scuffing your socks across carpet but the kind that make you forget your name and bite through jawbreakers, you've got a very serious problem that would argue the safety of use beyond reading these messages and then promptly turning the unit off until it can be serviced, either by you or professionally. And if it isn't the static, then yes, it can decimate your components.
On the bright side, you can get replacement power supplies for under $50 for most computer models.
To feel a shock from a defective power supply would require a minimal path for current. To feel a shock from static only requires you to touch something at a different voltage potential.
So if you aren't touching anything else when you feel the shock, then it is probably static. If it happens when you are in contact with another piece of equipment at the same time, then something is wrong.
The case of your computer is normally at ground potential through the ground conductor on the power cord, which leads back to earth ground by connecting to a ground rod or water pipe. Cases of everything else in the room are also supposed to be at the same potential so touching two of them don't fry you. But there are failures that allow dangerous potentials to be available. And stupidities also. Like using 2 wire extension cords, or breaking the ground pin off the power cord. Only sure test is to use a voltmeter and measure for voltage.
Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.
So if you aren't touching anything else when you feel the shock, then it is probably static. If it happens when you are in contact with another piece of equipment at the same time, then something is wrong.
The case of your computer is normally at ground potential through the ground conductor on the power cord, which leads back to earth ground by connecting to a ground rod or water pipe. Cases of everything else in the room are also supposed to be at the same potential so touching two of them don't fry you. But there are failures that allow dangerous potentials to be available. And stupidities also. Like using 2 wire extension cords, or breaking the ground pin off the power cord. Only sure test is to use a voltmeter and measure for voltage.
Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.
DaveGoTech
Programmer
Don't go blindly swapping things, as this can create more of a hazard. Get a voltmeter measurement from a good ground point to the cabinet - it should read 0 volts.
Yes,you could have a leaky filter capacitor somewhere-as I live in the UK, I'm not sure how your mains supply is configured, but it could be potentially fatal.Get the case grounded before you do anything else.( I was once nearly killed by an electric shock )
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