Electrical shock from casing

I'm getting an electrical shock coming from the metal casing of my MacBookPro. It is not a constant problem -- it usually happens when the MBP has been on for awhile and is hot temperature-wise -- but when it becomes charged, it is a constant charge, not a discharge from static electricity. It's not a high-voltage shock, happily. It only happens when the MBP is plugged in, and I always use the three-prong grounded plug when charging, etc. Has anyone else run into this?
My MBP is from early 2007 and I didn't purchase an extended warranty. A friend told me that hardware is covered for 3 years anyhow. Is this true? Just trying to get a feel for how much this might cost me...
Thanks!

I, too, am using the grounded plug, with multiple outlets in my house, sometimes with a surge protector, but it also happens when it's NOT plugged in. Sometimes it's in my lap, sometimes on a wooden table, sometimes on the ceramic tile floor, it even happened to me once at a Starbucks.
However, where my problem differs is that it hasn't happened until after the last time I took my MBP into the Genius Bar - it was my 7th trip in a series (LONG story of lots of people who didn't know what they were doing). The short version is that when they replaced my top case and the keyboard/touchpad panel of the bottom case they failed to put the whole thing back together correctly to where it wouldn't close completely and the optical drive failed to work at all. When I took it back in, they took it in the back and brought it back out no more than 10 minutes later all fixed up. Is there a possibility that when it was put back together someone missed a grounding wire or such? I have to admit, when it first started happening I thought it was just the hair on my arms getting caught in the tiny crack where the pieces fit together, but I've since been leaving my arm touching the MBP when it happens and it's a continuing shock, not really bad, but enough to sting and smart a little.
Any suggestions? I'm not a big fan of my usual Apple Store/Genius Bar location - it never fails I always get stuck with the same guy and he's rude and pompous and a total jerk and yet no one in the store seems to care when I complain.

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Electric shock from S10 model

We have a one year old (just out of warranty) S10 idea pad. We have begun to experience small electric shocks from the case of the laptop. The source seems to be the front right corner.
Has anyone experienced this and determined a solution? Is it a power cord issue?
Thanks.

It could be the ac adapter.
The inner sleeve of the plug on the adapter should be hot and the outer sleeve should be ground. There should be no voltage on the outer sleeve. You could have somebody check it with a volt meter. If you read any voltage at all on the outer sleeve, it's shorting.
Dave
T430u, x301, x200T, x61T, x61, x32, x41T, x40, U160, ThinkPad Tablet 1838-22R, Z500 touch, Yoga Tab 2 Windows 8.1, Yoga Tablet 3 Pro
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RF electric shock from airport on MBP APPLE PLEASE INVESTIGATE!

Other people have been posting reports of electric shocks from the case of a MBP when the mains charger is connected and battery is near 100%.
I have the same issue. HOWEVER I think that this is in fact related to the AIRPORT card. (I have a phsyics degree and I used to work as a broadcast engineer for a major UK corporation so I know a bit about RF.) The type of shock being received feels to me exactly like an RF shock. It is most noticable if you touch the edge of the case or one of the corners with the soft flesh on your under arm and presents itself as a sharp tingling/pricking/burning sensation.
The other big clue is that if you create as shock and then get a friend or colleague to disable the AIRPORT (as I did) then the shock STOPS at exactly the moment that the AIRPORT connection cuts out.
In metal macs the case and frame become part of the RF aerial and I am pretty sure that what is happening is that the radiated or received power from the 2.4ghz wireless netwoork is just getting powerful enough to cause this VERY UNPLEASEANT tingling shock.
It doesn't happen all the time and it does seem to change according to the position of the machine in the room... all of which seem to support the RF theory as moving the machine about will change the RF signal strength.
PLEASE APPLE you NEED to investigate this... and fix it, because quite apart from the fact that it makes using the MBP with bare arms a rather nasty experience if it does turn out to be RF related it could also be something of a health and safety issue.

Hi, I'm a Radar Engineer and licensed Radio expert for the last 21 years, and I am certain that the MacBook Pro is NOT an RF Hazard! I do have the equipment at work to measure it , so I will give it a quick test - just to confirm!
You could do a quick test by switching-off the Airport Card using the upper Menu bar icon
I think your problem is answered by my post here
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=614377&tstart=0
(messageID=2994258)
it is almost certainly a mains live-voltage leakage due to the power adapter not being connected to a good (enough) earth. Possibly your adapter will need to be checked to ensure that the leakage currents are in the safe range of 10 microamps to a couple of milliamps, but they normally all give a bit of leakage. The more powerful the adapter - tends to give slightly more leakage. it is a tiny , tiny current - but in europe it is at quite a noticeable hundred volts or so!
My Panasonic Sky Box gives exactly the same feeling, but of course I don't often type things on my Sky Box!
many Macs 512k -> MacBool Pro 2GHz 1GB ram Mac OS X (10.4.7) Yes, I have Key Lime

Electric Shock from Fingerprint reader on T61

Can anyone help me, why i got an electric shock when my hand touch the fingerprint reader? especially when my hand is sweat?
shouldnt there be a protective system for that?
my hand usually get sweat when im working more than 15minutes.
it also come out from any metal that on my T61.such as the 1394 and USB.
i tried to unplug the cord, and running on battery, but its still the same.
can anyone help? its really annoying that i have to avoid the fingerprint reader everytime i type.
thanks!
Message Edited by andralatucons on 08-18-2008 10:20 AM

The cause for electric shocks from the body/exposed metal like notebooks and other appliances can often be traced back to faulty wiring (lack of proper earth/ground) in the electric mains.
It seems you have already ruled that out by plugging out from the mains, and then checked if the electric shocks persist.
Try this again, If shocks persist, get to Lenovo service, otherwise a call to your electrician is in offing.
Message Edited by Bajpai on 08-18-2008 09:39 AM
Sushil
ThinkPad T61, (7658CTO), T7500, Integrated Graphics, 320 GB HDD, 3 GB RAM, 1 GB Intel Turbo Memory, Vista (32 bit) Business

I am getting a small electrical shock from the casing on my iMac!!

For the past week or so I have noticed that when I touch the iMac casing that there is an ekectrical current running through it. I am not getting any major shock from it but it is definitely noticeable.
Has anyone had any similar experiences?
Thanks
Jamie

Are you plugged into a properly grounded outlet? The aluminum case is grounded, so if you are plugged into a properly grounded you should not be able to get a shock. You can buy a low cost outlet tester from a home improvement or electronics store depending on which country you are in. The test will confirm that your hot, neutral, and ground wires are wired correctly.
Have you looked at the other electrical peripherals, lamps, desk (if metal) to make sure that they are not the source of the shocks? What else are you touching when you are touching the iMac?
If you continue to experience the issue you might want to contact Apple or the store where you purchased it for assistance.

Electric shocks from macbook pro

I have had my MacBook Pro since november and at first wondered, why my fingers would sometimes tingle, when using the touchpad or just resting them on the area besides the touchpad. I though there might be cooling fans underneath this area, and it was vibrations i was feeling.
But after setting up my working space next to a radiator, i get small but painful electric charges, when some part of my arm touches the radiator while using the macbook. That is probably because the radiator is grounded and the tingling from the macbook pro has all along been electric discharges.
I don't know how strong these electric shocks are, as i have very little grounds for comparison - i don't go around experimenting with electricity and pain.
But is there any danger to myself or the computer or is it just harmless static electricity like what occurs when wearing the wrong shoes with the wrong carpet? If this cannot be answered from my description, then how do i gather more information?

As an addendum to this phenomena it has been noticed (on laptops with metal casing) that small electrical shocks and/or tingling can be felt if using the laptop on battery power with mains powered periferal equipment ie external hard drive, plugged into the usb or firewire ports. This is caused by insufficient grounding on the manins powered device and can be rectified by using the laptop with the three-pronged mains lead.
MacBook Pro 15" Mac OS X (10.4.9) 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo

Electric shocks from Macbook

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, and what you did about it. My macbook when charging gives small electric shocks through the body of the mac. I'v been on the phone to Apple and they have suggested using a 3 pronged plug, which i do. using a serge protector, which i shouldn't have to use. They told me the magsafe adapter is not earthed if not using the extension lead, which seems mad to me. Please post comments if you have experienced similar problems and what you did to sort it out.
thanks

"i would have thought apple would sacrific design for userability."
Without the low current leakage, Apple's products could not be sold. The design compromise is an INTERNATIONAL concern, not just Apple's.
"I dont experiance it with any plastic cased computers."
That's because a plastic case does not conduct electricity.
"It is within regulation for the voltage on the case but non the less its a big compromise to make. By rights there should be non, or low, aspecially when the product is such a high value product!"
"Rights"? I'm not following your thoughts. Too, you are not following mine. Expensive or cheap, the same design considerations are necessary.
Even in today's economic climate, Apple, all of its competitors, and all of their strategic manufacturing partners are looking for brilliant engineering talent. If you can solve this design compromise with an intelligent, economically-viable solution (they're looking for something better than "make everything plastic"), there's a job waiting for you.

Portege M200 PPM21E: electric shock from metal case

Hi
i have recently received a toshiba portege m200 tablet however i have realised that when the ac adaptor is connected a small electric shock is given to anyone touching the metal case, i have heard from someone that it could be my ac adaptor which is causing the issue however i wonder if anyone on this site has any idea of the problem. thanks
little more info if required:
model number of tablet: PPM21E-0260Z-EN
product number of charger: PA3282U-1ACA

Same problem here.
Likewise, I bought my Toshiba M200 laptop off of ebay as Factory Refurbished, so is without official warranty. The extended warranty provider only covered the United States and not Australia, where I live, leaving me only with the 90 day warranty of the ebay seller.
The shocks were immediate. Holding the case, my forearms would get a nasty little tingle seemingly at random. The current has been demonstrated to be going through me the entire time I use it, as by my girlfriend who sits besides me and complains of how touching my skin the sensation can be felt - a numbing tingle, where a finger dragged along the skin 'bounces' rather than slides (sliding gently when the laptop is unplugged).
The problem is only present when the AC adaptor is plugged in.
Support has been entirely useless thus far - I tried calling Toshiba in Australia, but they claimed to have never heard of the problem. I called them a few days later, and they STILL claimed to have never heard of the problem despite my having only recently told them all about it! They tried to make me pay over a hundred dollars for a new adaptor - despite the fact that the only part that would actually be 'new' would be the three pin powerpoint plug, which I already have several of!
I went to an Authorized Repair Centre near here in Adelaide (Commander, I think they're called) who told me they'd charge enough to effectively kill any savings I'd made on buying the laptop factory refurbished, and would have no guarantee of finding the problem. I got on to a nice tech guy there who said if it only took a few minutes he wouldn't charge. I brought the laptop in and he checked the adaptor against another adaptor and tried to detect the electrical shock, only to have difficulty finding if the issue I was on about was real.
He figured if it was there, it'd have to be the adaptor. My ebay seller then sent me a second power adapter for free, which was kind of him. Unfortunately that didn't resolve it. I've tried using the laptop in other homes as well, in case it was the electrical wiring at my place. That didn't fix it either.
*sigh*
I can't afford hundreds of dollars spent testing a Toshiba model when I could have just bought it brand new and with a guarantee for all that cost. The ebay seller has never had this problem before and has been helpful - and it is now past the 90 day warranty period, so I can hardly send it back (all up I'd have lost at least $150 AUS on shipping then, as well!)

When my power adaptor is plugged in I get an electric shock from the laptop case?

When plugged in and switched on I'm getting a buzzing type noise and vibration shock from the metal laptop case, particularly either side of the trackpad but generally all over the case.

Use the extension cord that came with the Mac.
Plug the computer into an electrical outlet that is properly grounded.
Best.

I just purchased a 13" MacBook Pro, when i have the charger pugged in I get tingling electric shocks from the case. Is this a known and fixable problem?

I am using the supplied/genuine charger. The MBP is less than a week old and never dropped or abused.
When I run my fingers over any part of the body I can feel tingling electric shocks. Surely this isn't acceptable or safe?

The thing I find suspicious is that if it is a known problem, and there has been an official assessment that it poses no danger to the consumer, then I believe the documentation stating such would have to be made available upon request. When a car maker issues an internal dealer alert about an maintenance issue that is not dangerous and which does not justify a recall, they are still required under consumer laws to make that information available to owners in writing if requested. The same thing holds for most consumer products - you are not expected to merely take the word of an employee that it has been determined to be "acceptable and not dangerous" - the company is required to provide the documentation that supports that claim for a supposedly known issue.
I've owned several Apple laptops since the introduction of the first all metal cased Titanium powerbooks up to my current MBP (the first unibody model), and NONE have ever done what you describe. Regardless of what plug connector I have used on the charger, or where I have plugged them in (at home, at work, hotels, airports, other peoples homes).
If it is a known and documented problem, I would go back to the manager of that store and demand to see the internal documentation saying you "just have to live with it". That sort of response just does not seem legitimate to me.

What Should Be Done About Electric Shocks from MacBook?

I very recently purchased a MacBook. I had not been using it long before I realized that it is not uncommon to get an electric shock when I touch areas other than the keyboard. Now via Google and this Discussion Board I find that the shocks are a known issue and that Dell also has this problem with some of its aluminum constructed laptops and that MacBook Pro users also receive shocks. Assurances are given that the shocks do not hurt the computer, but what about the user?
I find it very disturbing to think that the shocks will be ongoing. I would not have purchased the computer had I known about this problem. I admit that it may be more disturbing to some people than others, but it is of considerable importance to me. I feel it should be mentioned to customers before a purchase decision is made. Can/should the computer be returned?

PatMatts wrote:
I very recently purchased a MacBook. I had not been using it long before I realized that it is not uncommon to get an electric shock when I touch areas other than the keyboard. Now via Google and this Discussion Board I find that the shocks are a known issue and that Dell also has this problem with some of its aluminum constructed laptops and that MacBook Pro users also receive shocks. Assurances are given that the shocks do not hurt the computer, but what about the user?
I find it very disturbing to think that the shocks will be ongoing. I would not have purchased the computer had I known about this problem. I admit that it may be more disturbing to some people than others, but it is of considerable importance to me. I feel it should be mentioned to customers before a purchase decision is made. Can/should the computer be returned?
That must be a strong electric current to cause a plastic-based laptop to cause electric shock. As the previous poster above me stated, as long as the system is grounded, there shouldn't be a problem for aluminium based laptops.

I keep getting electric shocks from my macbook pro?

I bought it in 2011, and for the last year or so it has been giving me electric shocks when charging. I can feel it on my wrists when im typing, and any contact with the lower part of the mac. It can be quite painful and I've stopped using it whilst its charging. It doesn't matter what plug I'm using or what address, I still get it.
It is out of warranty, but I am really not happy that it's doing this. Shall I take it into apple and speak to them about it?

jennafromlondon wrote:
It is out of warranty, but I am really not happy that it's doing this. Shall I take it into apple and speak to them about it?
You certainly can and if it is a genius bar at an Apple store, the diagnosis will be free. Do not discount the possibility that the electrical system you are connecting to may be the problem.
Ciao.

Getting a Slight Electrical Shock From MacBook Pro 2012-India

Hi,
Recently I purchased Macbook pro 2012 in India-Bangalore.The problem is,during its charging if i touched it around the corners,I am getting a slight electrical shock.Same case is happening even I am typing(exspecially when I pressed the keys).
It may be due to the earthing issues,i fixed tht,Eventhough no help.Can anybody suggest me the better approach.

Electric shock? You may find some helpful tips in this article.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57388858-263/ouch-my-mac-shocked-me/

Electric shock from MacBook Pro while charging only.

I got this painfull shock as if you have been pierce by a needle to your forearms.
The shocks are actually from the screws at the side of the MacBook Pro. You can test it by the following method while the power plug are connected.
1. Extend your forearms and let it touch with the screws.
2. Use a "Test-Pen" and touch all the screws. It will lighted up !! Even the "On" button has it.
You won't get it if the MacBook Pro are running with Batteries.

Actually, the users guide does state: “The AC power
cord provides a grounded connection." (page 30) and,
“For best results, always use the AC power cord and
connect it to a grounded power outlet when one is
available.” (page 31).
The term "grounded" should be put it the simplest form of explaination so that it will be better understand for other user who might not know it.
Just a suggestion....
"The AC power cord provides a better protection if you experience uncomfortable electric tingling sensations while operating the MacBook Pro" (page 30) and , "For best protection, always use the AC power cord whenever possible." (page 31).
MacBook Pro 1.86 - 80gb - 1 GB Mac OS X (10.4.6) Ex Apple//GS, //e, //c, //+ & iBook G4 user

Electric Shock from refurb. 2nd Gen. Nano

I have had a refurbished 2nd Gen. iPod Nano for 2 days. I bought it from the Apple site. Today, I brought it to work and while listening to it, I set it down on a wooden/plywood shelf that houses mini-disc players. Within moments, I heard crackling sounds in my earbuds and then received some slight shocks in my ears. Is this normal when an iPod comes close to other electronics?

No. And it's difficult to see how this could happen - the voltage inside the iPod is only about 5 volts and you wouldn't feel that even if you touched it directly. It's more likely that something is causing the amplifier to make crackling noises and these were loud enough to make you feel as if you'd received a shock. But you could ask an electrician to look at it and check it with a meter.

Electrical shock from casing

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