Computer and PM

Hello!! It has been quite some time since I have been on here! Everyone has always been a great help and I need help now or understanding of why.

Recently....eveytime I touch the back of the computer or try to plug a device into the USB port I get a 'shock per se' or an intense tingling feeling and it effects what my PM is doing. Not sure if it is turning it on or just causing it to go crazy. It stops as soon as I release what I am touching. At first I thought I was crazy, but know I know I am not. Today....I was moving a computer touching the back (metal part) and got the tingly/shock and also I grabbed my phone that was connected to a USB cord and grabbed my phone and had an intense tingling feeling that made my PM do weird things. Lately I have been having someone plug in my phone or kindle to charge if plugged into the computer. I have been experimenting and it seems if I cover my hands with my shirt it doesn't cause the 'shocking' sensation. In 10 years this has never been an issue. If anyone has had this experience or know something about it please help me understand. And just so know....I can use the computer just fine. It only happens when I touch the back of the computer or touch certain items plugged into the USB port through a cord (kindle, phone, which gives the biggest sensation). Anything would be good! Thank you!!

Jenny :-)

7 Comments

poured concrete floor

by sweetkozy - 2013-02-03 01:02:05

I suppose concrete floor doesn't count as insulated surface....or does it. Lol Both computers are plugged into a surge protector. Oh and it is not quite a shock (hard to describe) but some sort of electricity must be surging through....it tingles enough I ususally drop what I grab or remove my hand quite fast from the source. It is quite perplexing. I will try what you suggest! Thank you very much!!!! :-)

Jenny :-)

shocks

by ElectricFrank - 2013-02-03 01:02:18

by any chance is your computer plugged into an ungrounded outlet. This can be due to a defective power cord, surge suppressor, UPS, or wall outlet.

Try standing on an insulated surface while touching the offending area of the computer to see that results in the feeling.

If touching the computer or USB with one hand while standing on an insulated surface results in the feeling, then you are not getting a shock.

frank

Hi Jenny

by sue uk - 2013-02-03 06:02:37

Although l dont have problems with my laptop l did have a problem with my food mixer :-)
When l unplugged it ,if l touched the plug when l was packing it away l got a "shock"never did find out why & it doesnt affect any other members of the family just me!!!
l know this is of no help whatsoever to you but its an unpleasant experience which l have resolved in my case, l wont put the mixer away !!! but not that easy for you is it?
Hope you find a solution soon,
Sue x

Grounding Issues Perhaps

by bakebr1 - 2013-02-03 09:02:16

I think it sounds like both of you have grounding issues with the equipment you are using. This is probably completely unrelated to the fact that you have a pacemaker. Having the Pacemaker makes it more important to figure out the issue especially if you think it is interfering with the pacemaker. Good luck.

Ground Problem

by donr - 2013-02-03 10:02:58

Jenny: Before I read Frank's comment, I thought "Ground Problem."

Couple questions:

1) How old is the house you live in? If it's an old house - here I'm thinking 1950's or older - it probably does NOT have a grounding conductor throughout the house. I've lived in Iowa (Middletown, Bettendorf) & am familiar w/ the State & its huge numbers of old houses scattered over the farmland. MOF, I lived in a vintage 1940 former farmhouse in Middletown.

2) No, bare concrete DOES NOT count as an insulator. Grab a thick bathmat, rubber doormat, rubber flip-flops, or even a hot water bottle to stand on & see if this cures the problem. IF so, this tells us you have a ground connection open in your house wiring, regardless of age.

3) You said BOTH computers are connected to the same SURGE PROTECTOR. That tells me to look at the surge protector as the culprit. Unplug one computer from the protector, plug it into the wall & see if you get the same shock. If so, you have eliminated the protector & indicted the house grounding system.

4) Have you had any electrical work done on the house recently? If so, recall the electrician & have him/her check their work. This is called "Don's theory of the last repair." This says "If something goes wrong, check the last thing you fixed FIRST."

5) You describe the sensation as a "Tingly" thing. This sounds to me like a high resistance leak to ground from your computer chassis. Especially since you say touching the back of the case (BARE METAL) gives it to you. The problem could be within ONE of the computers connected to the protector, or the protector itself. Touching the computer cases that are PAINTED apparently does NOT give you the feeling. The PAINT is an insulator that protects you. You say bare concrete floor. Do you stand there bare-footed, normally? Concrete is NOT an insulator, but it is not really a GOOD conductor.

6) Do others get the same tingly sensation if they rub their fingers across the back of the bare metal case under identical conditions to yours?

7) Where in Iowa - it's a HUGE State!

A final comment - I've taken several 120 Volt shocks over the body path "Fingers to feet to ground" w/ no effects on my PM. Your case is curious & unusual.

Don

Checking the grounding

by ElectricFrank - 2013-02-05 01:02:41

There are Outlet Testers that will give you a definitive check on this sort of problem. Radio Shack used to handle them. They are small box that plugs into an outlet and LED indicators tell you if the outlet is code.

By the way if you try Don's idea of plugging one computer into the surge suppressor and the other directly into the wall be careful. If there is a problem in the surge suppressor you could have one computer hard grounded and the other hot. Touching both computers at the same time could be a shocking experience.

Good luck,

frank

Well,

by donr - 2013-02-07 01:02:47

What did you discover was the problem?

I'm wearing out my fingers hunting my way down to this thread a couple times a day hoping to find the answer.

Don

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

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