Improperly Grounded Wall Sockets

HumanShield

HumanShield

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So weird problem I'm currently experiencing at the B&B I'm staying at.

The wall sockets seem to be improperly grounded, or that's at least what I read when searching around. When my laptop is plugged into the wall socket via the power cable, there's this weird buzzing/vibration feeling when i run my finger over the metal on the laptop. Quick search says that has to do with the grounding of the socket and that the buzzing/vibrations are micro-shocks. This happens on both my MacBook and the laptop issued by the office. I've tried every socket in the place and they're all the same. Spoke to the owner who says he looked at the sockets and could not find anything wrong. I don't think there's any problem with the power cables since they work fine at home and quite literally everywhere else, except this place I'm staying at.

Does this affect the battery in anyway and by extension, the battery of any other device that may be plugged into the laptop? I ask this because I had my phone plugged in and I could feel the same buzzing/vibrations through the phone. I don't want to keep things plugged in if that damages the battery or any other components which on a MacBook is a pretty penny to fix.
 
Exactly what's happening. Got a bigger zap last night. Will this affect the battery though?
 
Are you using the 2-prong adaptor in your MacBook that doesn’t have the extension cord like the Euro socket?

That isn’t earthed in the first place and means the plug would be irrelevant.

Shouldn’t affect the battery in any way.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Are you using the 2-prong adaptor in your MacBook that doesn’t have the extension cord like the Euro socket?

That isn’t earthed in the first place and means the plug would be irrelevant.

Shouldn’t affect the battery in any way.
Click to expand...
Got the standard South African 3 prong plug, likewise on the office laptop. Both experience the same thing.
 
Does the same happen when you touch a tap in the shower for example?
 
Jaws677 said:
Floating neutral.

Neutral to ground voltage should be 0 V as the neutral is bonded to ground.

Get a multimeter and measure the voltage between the neutral and earth. For you to feel it, its probably close to 50 V
Click to expand...

Wish I could. it's not my place. Staying at a B&B. Unfortunately I'm here for a few more weeks, so it's something I'd have to deal with
 
I experience the same when switching between the 2 prong and 3 prong.

It is normal and it doesn't have any effect on your laptop other than shocking you.

For extra fun, try using the 2 prong plug on one laptop then touch another laptop that is using the 3 prong plug. You'll get the f#ck shocked out of you. (yes this has happened to me)
 
Gnome said:
I experience the same when switching between the 2 prong and 3 prong.

It is normal and it doesn't have any effect on your laptop other than shocking you.

For extra fun, try using the 2 prong plug on one laptop then touch another laptop that is using the 3 prong plug. You'll get the f#ck shocked out of you. (yes this has happened to me)
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You only get the tingling with the 2 prong because it's not grounded, he's using the 3 prong which is. That's definitely not normal.
 
bwana said:
You only get the tingling with the 2 prong because it's not grounded, he's using the 3 prong which is. That's definitely not normal.
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm assuming his ground circuit is not working at all.
In which case the 3 prong will behave exactly like a 2 prong.
For a ungrounded charger it is normal and won't damage the laptop.

I agree the 3 prong shouldn't have that problem, but when it does, it isn't a problem, except maybe to your electrical system.
But Macbook don't care.
 
Just because you use a 3 prong plug doesn't mean your device is grounded, many have a dummy pin and often it is even plastic.

Also on a laptop connection I am sure most won't cater for grounding since they only have an inner and outter core, thr grounding would probably stop at the transformer at best.
 
Steamy Tom said:
Just because you use a 3 prong plug doesn't mean your device is grounded, many have a dummy pin and often it is even plastic.

Also on a laptop connection I am sure most won't cater for grounding since they only have an inner and outter core, thr grounding would probably stop at the transformer at best.
Click to expand...
He mentioned a Macbook which are grounded when used with the supplied cord. Can't comment on the work laptop since I don't know what it is.

The Magsafe connection to the laptop also includes a ground.
 
Daruk said:
My guess is the place has copper pipes which run underground at some point.
Click to expand...

if there is voltage from neutral to ground this would be expected since the piping will be grounded to the electrical system.
 
bwana said:
He mentioned a Macbook which are grounded when used with the supplied cord. Can't comment on the work laptop since I don't know what it is.

The Magsafe connection to the laptop also includes a ground.
Click to expand...

Have a HP for work. Both have three prong plugs.
 
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