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MacBook Pro Electric Shock Problem
- Thread starter scorpio8977
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I'm always use the three-prong plug and I still experience tingling sensations at times! I thought that maybe it could be because my powerpoint isn't really grounded, but it happens at school, my uncle's house as well as at my ex's house!
I mean...it's possible that the powerpoints in all these 4 places aren't grounded, but is there any other way for me to test it? =/
I mean...it's possible that the powerpoints in all these 4 places aren't grounded, but is there any other way for me to test it? =/
Granted, an ungrounded outlet is possible, but I seriously doubt all were ungrounded outlets. AFAIK, schools are required to have them for safety reasons, no matter when it was originally built.
If you live in the US then its possible the grounding pin on the plug coming out of your macbook is simply a token pin, does it look like plastic or is it metal? if its not metal its not doing a lot.
It's illegal to issue such a "dummy" device in the US. This is legal in Europe?
It's illegal to issue such a "dummy" device in the US. This is legal in Europe?
Its illegal in Europe too, but its not completely illegal in the US, as its not really a dummy, it actually has some effect but not as good as have a proper copper to copper earthing contact.
I assumed you were speaking of a plastic ground pin. Though not conductive, there's a chance it could break off in the outlet, and effectively disable the ground on the outlet for other devices used in that specific outlet (not the entire ground) as I understand the reasoning they aren't used. Such a pin isn't needed to keep the cord inserted properly.
Could you explain further, to help eliminate some confusion?
Shocking MacBook Pro
Yeah, I was watching a movie on my MacBook Pro with my friend. Then, I got a new e-mail, and when I reached over to check it, it suddenly zapped me with an blue-ish electric arc that was about 3 inches long and hurt like hell. ? ! ? Anyways, it seems that the other computers and the AirPort station in my friend's room was generating an electric current and the aluminum case picked it up or something an stored it as an static shock... until I came along.
Yeah, I was watching a movie on my MacBook Pro with my friend. Then, I got a new e-mail, and when I reached over to check it, it suddenly zapped me with an blue-ish electric arc that was about 3 inches long and hurt like hell. ? ! ? Anyways, it seems that the other computers and the AirPort station in my friend's room was generating an electric current and the aluminum case picked it up or something an stored it as an static shock... until I came along.
That's intense!
I've never experienced this problem before, but as a suggestion have you guys tried rubber globes ( i know it's dumb) or even those static wipe clothes that discharge techs before they go into a computer?
What about those rubber keyboard condoms? That might actually work as well.
All good suggestions...... if it wasnt a problem that is apples to fix. Oh and those keyboard condoms really cut down airflow to internals
I don't recall ever seeing enough space to allow for airflow from a keyboard in a laptop.
Did Apple do something weird in this regard?
I have been told numerous times that MBP's rely on air drawn through the keyboard for cooling. I may be wrong but i was always under the impression that it is quite important to leave the keyboard area clear
If you connect to a separate keyboard, mouse, and monitor, must the lid remain open?
I ask, as most laptops I've worked with allowed you to close the lid/screen in such a case, particularly if a docking station was used. The closed lid would severely restrict airflow, so they didn't use this as a source. Usually they have vents in some combination in the side, back, and bottom of the case.
Constant Electrocution
I've been experiencing this problem for a while now. The slight electrocution, tingling sensation in my right fingers, entire hand, up my arm then into my shoulders. My question is, how does this effect your health over extended periods of time? I'm starting to wonder if the tightness in my neck and shoulders may be enhanced by this. I'm a mover and also I practice yoga so it's not like I don't know how to constantly stretch after hours of being on my laptop.
I've been experiencing this problem for a while now. The slight electrocution, tingling sensation in my right fingers, entire hand, up my arm then into my shoulders. My question is, how does this effect your health over extended periods of time? I'm starting to wonder if the tightness in my neck and shoulders may be enhanced by this. I'm a mover and also I practice yoga so it's not like I don't know how to constantly stretch after hours of being on my laptop.
this is totally wrong information!
Apple themselves say you can run with the lid closed ( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 ). Also, I'm a power user and my MBP runs fine with the lid closed. I use mine in this config (hooked up to a 22" LCD) as my daily work machine.
Thanks good to know. I don't personally use mine like that but it is good to know i can...... although if i needed to i would probs buy a desktop lol
it doesn't stay at the desk 24x7 as I take it home every night/weekend where i use it like a laptop
Is it harmful to the mbp/OS/files?
I started having the shock problem when I arrived in India. I was wondering if it can negatively effect any part of the MBP, its OS or any files on it. I was worried that I would one day touch the computer and fry the thing or wipe the HD drive.
I started having the shock problem when I arrived in India. I was wondering if it can negatively effect any part of the MBP, its OS or any files on it. I was worried that I would one day touch the computer and fry the thing or wipe the HD drive.
Shocking situation MacBook Pro
One thing to consider is that if you are holding an aluminum MacPro, you are connected to the electrical ground in your home. Now, many electrical devices are double insulated from the power supply in the wall. They might have a plastic case, for example.
Apparently MacBook pros are not. So if you happen to touch some source of electricity accidentally, and are holding the MacBook pro, your body completes the circuit and gets zapped with 120 volts, or 240 in the UK or other countries.
I just got my MacBook Pro a couple days ago and was laying in bed. It's a cool day and I'm warmed by an electric blanket. I extend my leg and feel something on my toe, like a bug bite. This happens a couple times and then again, only with the full force of household 120 volt AC current, which I've felt a couple other times in my life.
I didn't really suspect the MacBook Pro, but have had the electric blanket for years and have had no problems. I used to have a White MacBook with a plastic case (non conductive) and had no problems with the blanket and the computer regarding electricity.
I suspected I was getting charged up by something in the blanket and the computer was the grounding source to complete the circuit, from my toes to my hands through the MacBook to the wall outlet. I was using the 2 prong plug in the charger.
There are plenty of household electrical problems, and double insulated electrical devices protect us from these problems. People sometimes wire lamps or other devices wrong, and the outside metal portions of the device become energized. Apparently, the MacBook Pro does not protect us from these wiring problems.
I've personally seen this several times. A frayed lamp cord contacted a metal lamp pole, energizing the pole. As a child I grabbed that lamp pole, and a metal post in our attic with the other hand. Instantly, power ran through my body, and I couldn't let go. Fortunately, my mother heard my cries and ran up the stairs and pulled me loose. Otherwise....
An photo enlarger I used to use at work was wired wrong, and I would feel power when I touched it and another grounded metal device.
I had problems with some photographic strobe lights, they kept flashing when they were not supposed to. I tested the circuit at the venue they were plugged into, and the tester said the homemade extension cord, a junction box with 4 outlets connected to an extension cord was wired incorrectly.
Another time I was in the bathtub, full of water. I touched the metal spigot with my toe and felt current, which I measured later with a meter and it was 120 volts. I don't remember why that happened.
I'll test this outlet also, but I'll bet there aren't any problems. The problem is the the macbook pro is aluminum, and by holding the macbook pro, you become part of an electrical circuit if you also contact something else that is an electrical source.
I may send the computer back, I'd rather be protected from stray electricity than be cool.
One thing to consider is that if you are holding an aluminum MacPro, you are connected to the electrical ground in your home. Now, many electrical devices are double insulated from the power supply in the wall. They might have a plastic case, for example.
Apparently MacBook pros are not. So if you happen to touch some source of electricity accidentally, and are holding the MacBook pro, your body completes the circuit and gets zapped with 120 volts, or 240 in the UK or other countries.
I just got my MacBook Pro a couple days ago and was laying in bed. It's a cool day and I'm warmed by an electric blanket. I extend my leg and feel something on my toe, like a bug bite. This happens a couple times and then again, only with the full force of household 120 volt AC current, which I've felt a couple other times in my life.
I didn't really suspect the MacBook Pro, but have had the electric blanket for years and have had no problems. I used to have a White MacBook with a plastic case (non conductive) and had no problems with the blanket and the computer regarding electricity.
I suspected I was getting charged up by something in the blanket and the computer was the grounding source to complete the circuit, from my toes to my hands through the MacBook to the wall outlet. I was using the 2 prong plug in the charger.
There are plenty of household electrical problems, and double insulated electrical devices protect us from these problems. People sometimes wire lamps or other devices wrong, and the outside metal portions of the device become energized. Apparently, the MacBook Pro does not protect us from these wiring problems.
I've personally seen this several times. A frayed lamp cord contacted a metal lamp pole, energizing the pole. As a child I grabbed that lamp pole, and a metal post in our attic with the other hand. Instantly, power ran through my body, and I couldn't let go. Fortunately, my mother heard my cries and ran up the stairs and pulled me loose. Otherwise....
An photo enlarger I used to use at work was wired wrong, and I would feel power when I touched it and another grounded metal device.
I had problems with some photographic strobe lights, they kept flashing when they were not supposed to. I tested the circuit at the venue they were plugged into, and the tester said the homemade extension cord, a junction box with 4 outlets connected to an extension cord was wired incorrectly.
Another time I was in the bathtub, full of water. I touched the metal spigot with my toe and felt current, which I measured later with a meter and it was 120 volts. I don't remember why that happened.
I'll test this outlet also, but I'll bet there aren't any problems. The problem is the the macbook pro is aluminum, and by holding the macbook pro, you become part of an electrical circuit if you also contact something else that is an electrical source.
I may send the computer back, I'd rather be protected from stray electricity than be cool.
More grounding info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appliance_classes
Read this info, It explains the various classes of electrical devices and their safety features. What class is the MacBook pro?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appliance_classes
Read this info, It explains the various classes of electrical devices and their safety features. What class is the MacBook pro?
i have this problem with my 2.4 mbp. its really annoying. not only to i get zapped when i touch near the optical drive, i just got zapped by a usb plug, connected to the computer!
i live in australia and it's a grounded plug.
i live in australia and it's a grounded plug.
check plug
I see this thread has been running for a while, but thought I would contribute.
I live in Australia where I got my MacBook Pro, and have never had any shock problem. Australia uses 240V.
I recently went to Japan and used it there on 110V mains via a travel adaptor with no problems.
On the way home we stopped in Kuala Lumpur for a few days. The first time I use it on mains there using a travel adaptor, I noticed the tingling sensation so many have experienced.
So I went to a near by Apple store and got a world travel adaptor kit and used the proper 3 pin adaptor (for this area) that clips into the exchangeable plug/power supply and problem solved.
The Australian plug had only 2 pins so it seems there was no earthing out via the travel adaptor. Using the correct Mac 3 pin adaptor fixes this.
So now I have an adaptor for any country.
All I can say is that it pays to make sure you use the correct adaptor for your location.
I see this thread has been running for a while, but thought I would contribute.
I live in Australia where I got my MacBook Pro, and have never had any shock problem. Australia uses 240V.
I recently went to Japan and used it there on 110V mains via a travel adaptor with no problems.
On the way home we stopped in Kuala Lumpur for a few days. The first time I use it on mains there using a travel adaptor, I noticed the tingling sensation so many have experienced.
So I went to a near by Apple store and got a world travel adaptor kit and used the proper 3 pin adaptor (for this area) that clips into the exchangeable plug/power supply and problem solved.
The Australian plug had only 2 pins so it seems there was no earthing out via the travel adaptor. Using the correct Mac 3 pin adaptor fixes this.
So now I have an adaptor for any country.
All I can say is that it pays to make sure you use the correct adaptor for your location.