Earthing Issue?

[Phiph]

Hey all,

I know this may seem very random, and also too obvious.
My problem lies when charging my iPad, when I plug it in its fine charges as you would expect, but then whenever I touch or brush the Aluminium rim with my arm, most noticeably, I get a nasty shock.

I know it’s pretty obvious, as metal charger to metal case, but I'm curious if anyone with the 1st generation iPad has similar problems as I would like my iPad to last longer than the free applecare.

Keep Munching!

 

[greytmom]

At first I thought the title of your thread was "earthling" issue, and I was pretty impressed that Apple has grown to intergalactic proportions.

No, I've never shocked myself on my iPad 1. I have shocked myself on my doorknob though, many times.

I sincerely doubt that the shock is going to do anything to your iPad, but if you are concerned, touch your doorknob first before touching the iPad. Or, pick it up with gloves on.

 

[porcupine8]

FYI, I think the term you are looking for is grounding, not earthing.

If it only happens when the iPad is plugged in (and happens no matter where it's plugged in - try different outlets), then it doesn't seem like static as the previous poster suggests. If it's still under AppleCare, no harm in taking it in to a genius bar to get checked out.

 

[TsunamiTheClown]

Earthing is cool. In most european countries, 'ground' is referred to as 'PE' or 'potential earth'...I don't know how the various languages render it as a verb.

@ Phiph: Does the iPad shock you when plugged into a USB port or just the power supply provided with the iPad, designed to be plugged directly into a receptacle?

I haven't been shocked by my iPad, but is lives almost exclusively in a case which is insulated, i believe. If the PE problems don't get better, a case would serve to keep it from damaging something or itself.

 

[greytmom]

I still like earthling.

I missed that it was only doing it when plugged in. Very odd. May want to get that checked out.

 

[bubulindo]

Does that happen in any other device at your home? Do remember that the iPad is metal whilst most devices in our homes aren't. So it's also worth having your electrical installation checked out.

 

[Julien]

FYI, I think the term you are looking for is grounding, not earthing...

Earthing is grounding in GB English like windscreen is windshield or bonnet is hood. So the OP may be from England.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

FYI, I think the term you are looking for is grounding, not earthing.

Only if the OP speaks American English... there are other people out there.

 

[nightfly13]

Aye, half the English-speaking world says earthing vs grounding.

Here's the weird thing. I live in India, where I'm pretty sure my entire house has no earthing/grounding, and my MBP gives my sensitive under-forearm skin a bit of a shock when it's charging, but my iPads never have. The issue is likely with that outlet, unlike my issue with my whole house.

Heck many of the newly-installed sockets in my house only have two wires running, no one bothered to run a third.