Static shock

[snail]

Ok, so i have EVERYthing brand new. I have the xpredator evil black edition case (which is metal), and for some reson every time (or should i say most times) when i touch the metal i get a static shock. Like i said before...all parts are brand new, plugged in correctly. Even if the pc is shutdown it shocks me. Hell, this even happens to my brother when he touches it.

Now i know 1 would think that there is a short somewhere, and it would be understandable if i had just purchased 1 or 2 new parts, but i mean really.....all new parts out the box, and this is happenign? It doesnt restart or shutdown (if it's running) when it shocks me, so obviously the shock is not that strong, however it does worry me.

I do keep a piece of blanket over it when it is switched off, however it started shocking me from the time i had switched it on for the first time, so i highly doubt the blanket is building up so much static that it would cause all of this. i do ground myself before touching the pc.

Any thoughts?

 

[zophas]

Could be that the plug it's connected may not be "earthed". Try it in a plug that you know is properly "earthed".

 

[FNfal]

Earth the case that will stop that if it is indeed static.
zophas is correct.
Do you have carpets round where your PC is ??

 

[Yotch]

Have you tried to remove the PSU to check whether the metal shell is 'live'?

 

[snail]

Case is on a wall unit so not touching carpet. Metal shell being live? How do I test that? I presume you mean remove power supply and plug the main pwer cable in and see if it's the power supply itself?

If it makes any difference I purchased a new ups for my rig (as the old 1 was fried). Could the ups be an issue?

 

[MickZA]

Metal shell being live? How do I test that?

With the power on, touch the case with the back of your hand.

If you feel a tingling sensation you have a "live" case. Check that the earth wire on ALL power cords which have one is connected and neutral & live are wired correctly (UPS, PC, printer, monitor etc).

 

[FNfal]

Ok the best way to test if your case is live is with a multimeter .
One probe on a good earth and the other on the case if no reading then put the multimeter in ohms and test from the earth to your case to see if you case is earthed.(all wall plugs if the housings are metal have to be earthed so you can use this)

 

[snail]

With the power on, touch the case with the back of your hand.

If you feel a tingling sensation you have a "live" case. Check that the earth wire on ALL power cords which have one is connected and neutral & live are wired correctly (UPS, PC, printer, monitor etc).

Never had this issue with my older case, so i presume it wont be the monitor. however i am using the new plug (that is a 2 pin...those big round fugly 2 pins you can never get into any socket) to connect to the ups (came with the new power supply). Maybe i should trouble shoot that first. Will test a new cable to the ups, if i still get shocket then i will remove the ups from the equation. If i still get shocket then i know it isnt the power cable or ups then i can go from there.

 

[MickZA]

however i am using the new plug (that is a 2 pin...those big round fugly 2 pins you can never get into any socket)

Think I know what you're talking about it's called a Schuko plug, if so that's your problem. Cut it off and replace with a standard 3 pin plug.

 

[Bundu]

does it shock you a second time if you touch it again? If so, you have an earth problem - use a multimeter and measure resistance between casing and earth point on the plug - should be very low Ohm

 

[zophas]

I am surprised to hear of a ups coming with a two point plug. I would have thought that the "earth" wire would be very important on a device like that. On a radio or a plastic hairdryer who cares? Ups with no earth? Hmmm......

 

[MickZA]

I am surprised to hear of a ups coming with a two point plug. I would have thought that the "earth" wire would be very important on a device like that. On a radio or a plastic hairdryer who cares? Ups with no earth? Hmmm......

If you google Schuko you'll find it's a German standard and does provide an earth in the correct type of socket, very common in EC countries.

 

[snail]

Ok, so i finally resolved the problem (havent been shocked as of yet). swopped the cable that ran from the ups to my power supply and there you have it......so far so good.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Ok, so i finally resolved the problem (havent been shocked as of yet). swopped the cable that ran from the ups to my power supply and there you have it......so far so good.

That would be because the two pin plug you were using is not earthed in our types of sockets. The first thing you do with those when you see them is throw them away or put a proper plug on them.

 

[Yotch]

@snail: Most switching power supplies are not generally earthed though i.e. laptop power bricks, external hard drive bricks, cell phone chargers etc. If you run your finger down a metal external hard drive enclosure you can normally feel a slight prickling sensation but it's hardly noticeable. Do you think that your particular supply is unusual or would all unearthed ATX supplies behave like this?

 

[snail]

Guys, I'm not talking about the 2 pin plug, as that runs from the wall plug to the ups. I'm talking about the cable that runs from the ups to the power supply itself.

 

[Bundu]

does it shock you when you connect the PC directly to the wall socket?

 

[sajunky]

Guys, I'm not talking about the 2 pin plug, as that runs from the wall plug to the ups. I'm talking about the cable that runs from the ups to the power supply itself.

Remember one thing. Any equipment with metal enclosure has to supplied with earth plug. It is safetly requirement. If UPS is designed to supply metal box PC, it has to convey earth from input (wall socket) to the output power sockets. ATX power suppliy has an earth (3 pin) plug, so it is a sufficient indication that earth should not be ignored/bypassed. Therefore you must ensure that earth path from the ATX power supply to the wall socket is not broken.