computer case Live

[Mr Smithy]

We have just moved house and have discovered our computer case to be live when plugged into a 3 pin outlet 

Any solutions will be gratefully received.

[bankruatsteve]

Ground not connected somewhere. Check outlet for 3 wires L-N-E. If OK. check CU for earth connection to ground rod. Do you have meter for testing? 

[lopburi3]

You need to have your house checked to make sure outlets are grounded (it appears they are not).  If you do not have a multimeter hire someone and make very sure any shower heaters are indeed grounded.  If you can turn off outlet and open you can make sure there are 3 wires connected but only do if you are comfortable doing so.

[OneMoreFarang]

And maybe you have to check every outlet in the whole house. Because some people who call themselves electricians are stupid. They might have connected the wrong wires somewhere in your house. Now try to find out where. Enjoy!

[VocalNeal]

28 minutes ago, Mr Smithy said:

We have just moved house and have discovered our computer case to be live when plugged into a 3 pin outlet 

You mean live or simply has a furry tingle when touched with the back of the hand? I use that to verify that mine is actually connected.

[Metropolitian]

Computer case should never be live.  Earth in the socket or not.  A live case is not good. With earth connected this would trip the breakers.

A little shock, tingles from the back of your fingers at one of the corner of the case are common, and they will be minimized with good earthing.

 

Question: did you got a real live shock or a 'tingle'.

 

Is your computer now in a different situation ? Now on a wooden desk and before on an shelf, or..  And your floor ?

If I put a computer on a real wood desk, I get lesser shocks then when the case is on a laminated table.

On the first floor more then second floor (conduction to your feets..)

[Metropolitian]

3 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

You mean live or simply has a furry tingle when touched with the back of the hand? I use that to verify that mine is actually connected.

You do that with everything electrically or only computers ? ????

[Led Lolly Yellow Lolly]

If the computer is ungrounded, it's pretty normal to get a mild tingle. In fact, this is the case with many household appliances, microwaves, fridges etc etc. The reason is a capacitor between output and rectified line voltage putting a small 'safe' voltage on the PSU casing. A proper ground would simply drain that away. No ground, no drain.

 

Now, if you REALLY have raw phase voltage on the case, switch it off, walk away.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 28, 2020 by NilSS

[andy72]

try plugging into another socket see if its an isolated thing to that specific point

[Mr Smithy]

Thanks to those who provided sensible responses.

[bankruatsteve]

2 minutes ago, Mr Smithy said:

Thanks to those who provided sensible responses.

Can you tell us what you found to be your situation regarding earth/ground connection?