Electric shock from my MacBook

sweet-rasmus · 08-02-2009 7:01pm #1

Hey, I have an aluminium cased MacBook and I've just noticed that it seems to be giving me a very mild electric shock (a tingling sensation more like) when I touch palm the rest. It only occurs which the power cord plugged in. I had a quick google and this seems to have begun happening on macs years ago because the plugs aren't grounded. Though, my plug is a 3 prong plug (as all Irish plugs) but I'm not sure that the earth wire follows through into the main body of the plug.

Have a read of past issues here: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/871288.html

Has anyone else noticed this? I might ask Apple Care about it during the week... But from reading the above they seem to think it's safe and there is no need to 'fix' anything.

ScabbyLeg · 08-02-2009 8:46pm

Had this issue with my old PowerBook G4, also aluminium case. It stuck me as strange initially but I got used to it... and it didn't seem to occur all the time.
It happened on my new unibody MacBook Pro in Ireland but not here in Germany where I use a 2-pin adaptor.

Just read that forum you posted... they seem to refer to 2-pin and 3-pin adaptors? With both my laptops, I get the brick and plug adaptor and a long lead with a plug on the end... I presume the long one is what they refer to as a 3-pin.

I wonder if it's an issue that only affects the UK electric standard ie. UK, Ireland and possibly Australia on account of that forum?

ethernet · 08-02-2009 8:46pm

Careful there! My iPod Touch gives me an awful jolt when I charge it in a NAS device seeing as it doesn't appear to be earthed. Would be more reassuring to have them look at it at least.

Red Alert · 08-02-2009 10:12pm

My Macbook Pro (non-unibody) does that when I'm plugged in with the clip-on plug adapter. It's fine when I use the extension cord, because it's grounded.

sweet-rasmus · 08-02-2009 10:48pm

I must try the difference in the shortened lead and the long extension cable. Fun experiments...

Iomega Man · 08-02-2009 11:08pm

+1 for the extension on the power adapter.
I had exactly the same problem on my MBP (2006).
I changed from the 2pin adapter to the earthed 3pin extension.
Problem solved...

Passenger · 09-02-2009 6:54pm

Yep, when plugged in I often get a mild jolt especially when the Laptop was on a steel desk.

McSandwich · 09-02-2009 10:46pm

I had this problem, it turned out that to be dodgy wiring in the socket. If my hands had've been wet it would've been a lot worse than a tingle!

speedy2007 · 21-11-2009 6:22pm

hey
sorry to drag this up but im having the same issue with my macbook. Its not the palmrest, but its on the right hand side by the cd/dvd drive.
Im using the long extension cable, but im in canada right now so im using an adapter for the plug. The adapter is 3-pronged too tho.
Also in the same flat, my boyf uses his exact same laptop with no issues (although he doesnt need to use a plug adapter cos his model was bought over here)

Anyone have any other ideas? - its kind of painful and its starting to make me think twice before touching my laptop

Electric shock from my MacBook

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