2
Score
Gabe
4.7k
Asked
Electricity passes thru the MacBook, thru me, to anything grounded...
So, I was charging my MacBook air, its fairly warm, I touch my iMac, I notice my pinky feels tingly. I think its my iMac, freak out, touch it again to no avail. I then proceed to keep my MacBook air on my lap, and type on my apple wired keyboard connected to my iMac via a USB hub that is plugged into the wall. I feel the charge again and I realize the current is coming from my MacBook air.
Should I be worried? Because my iMac and my alum keyboard is "grounded" (well the socket this is all plugged into is not grounded... the house is old) and current goes thru, does that mean that its the positive line thats live? because if it was neutral or ground it wouldn't go thru... And how, if I should, should I approach this to apple?
EDIT: I just put my pinky on a screw on a light switch (So thats definitely grounded) and I definitely feel a current.
EDIT: The plug that I was plugged into WAS grounded and that did "shock" me but the other plugs that are NOT grounded do not shock me. and it doesn't shock me when its unplugged.
8
Score
rj713
33.9k
Answered
Accepted Answer
Gabe get a outlet tester right away and check your outlets. You may have a hot side reversed with the ground-- a very dangerous condition. I would not use my computers until the electrics are tested and corrected if necessary. Let us know what you find. Ralph
Well does it count that when I plug in an UPC into the outlet, and it does not have a "building wiring fault" light on? I mean does that count as a outlet tester?
Gabe,
If it has a wiring test light I would say that counts. I am concerned about you getting shocked. That should not happen in a properly grounded house or with properly grounded electronics. I would seriously consider having a electrician check it out if you do not have proper test equipment to do so. Ralph
Heh... like @**& my landlord will pay for one... (sorry its just that my landlord is, well a big... *refrains from cursing*) But yes, I have a UPS from APC and it reports any problems (Including ground). Thats actually how I test the ground, when I plug it in, if the Building Wiring Fault light is on, most likely its ground.
Gabe,
Rj is correct , if your in an apartment complex most likely u have what is called a "homerun" dedicated to your apartment and if theres a reversed hot wire in a ground terminal that can be very dangerous? most likely all your outlets are "jumped" from one to another so I wouldnt even plug any electronics into any of those receptacles until you get that checked out. and for heavens sake, stop using your pinky as a tester. I tasted 277V and it temporarily blinded me. Plus the scare was enough for me to respect all 277V fixtures for the rest of my life. LOL
4
Score
Answered
Quit using yourself to detect potentially deadly voltages. Use a voltmeter. Quit touching two things to see if you get shocked.
Check AC and DC voltages between the case and the ground terminal of a known good outlet. You might be surprised what you see.
Outlet testers tell you the polarity is correct, and that the ground and neutral are at the same potential.
0
Score
Paull
1
Answered
I think theres a matter of Electrical Standards involved here. I dont know if USA wiring standards specify which connector in an AC outlet is Active and which is Neutral, but there is a hazard if the Active line is connected to what should be the Neutral contact and then an earth connection is made. I also know that newer outlets have 1 pin larger than the other, in theory to try to force observance of polarity, (YES, A/C current DOES have polarity)
Here in Australia, its easier with our angled slots, you cant plug an item in with the pins swapped unless it is deliberately done when the outlet is installed or the plug is put on the end of a cable.
Thats my take, you may be experiencing a neutral-to-earth leakage symptom, an ELCB would drop the circuit breaker real fast, but with reversed connections, it's anyone's game...
Next time try to use a voltmeter- not your pinky
rab777hp,
I re-wired my whole room (Its not in an apartment, but the house is 60 years old) and I made sure all the grounds work (APC's were not complaining of a "Building Wiring Fault") and it doesn't happen anymore. Albet my MacBook air is now charging off of an UPS instead of any ol power strip. Its interesting how some of these plugs are grounded and others aren't.... Also I knew that the MacBook was not receiving any more than what the charger provided, which for the MacBook air chargers, aren't that big because if it did receive any more it would have given me a warning that my charger was going crazy. And since all macs use their alum chasis (if available) as ground I was also wondering what was leaking? and where? I talk to another friend and he said that all of his alum macs since his G4's did give him this mild shock. Probably his plugs are not connected right...
Gabe,