Computer case is 'live' from 2 pin sockets. What to do?

[makecoldplayhistory]

My (landlord's) house has only 2-pin sockets and, with my shipping arriving yesterday, I've discovered that the computer case and all peripherals including the metal keyboard give me a mild shock when I touch them.

Is it possible to have the single outlet earthed / swapped for a 3 pin socket with an earth? Is it an easy / cheap job? I wouldn't do it myself.

Are there any other solutions? Is it a common problem? I live in Kok Kaew (near Boat Lagoon).

Thanks a lot,

Mike

[GoodKarma]

Try the DIY forum in Thai Visa. You will get some great advice there.

[manly100]

Bang a 2 foot metel rod into the ground, run a wire to the earth on a 3 pin outlet and try again.

Are you wanting to see the back of coldplay Mike?

Edited November 11, 2013 by manly100

[harrry]

And as an interim measure try reversing the lead so that the plug prong goes in the other hole of the the two pin socket.

[Jdietz]

Won't help much as there are two capacitors in the inlet filter from live to ground and neutral to ground. This will cause the ground to be at 1/2 mains (110V) albeit at a very low current. Really need a ground (or plastic case) to get rid of it.

[harrry]

Won't help much as there are two capacitors in the inlet filter from live to ground and neutral to ground. This will cause the ground to be at 1/2 mains (110V) albeit at a very low current. Really need a ground (or plastic case) to get rid of it.

Yes there are capacitors in the filter but they do not act as you say.

[canuckamuck]

Run a wire from metal part of your case to some part of the metal framework of your house, or to a metal rod pounded in the ground.

Not optimal, but should draw off the annoying shocks.

Buying a a 3 prong socket is doable as well, but you still need to run an earth wire somewhere from the socket.

[makecoldplayhistory]

Thanks for the replies.

As my computer's within metres of a sliding door to the garden, it's probably easier for me to earth the machine directly than earth the socket. Luckily, I can do that with my tools (a hammer, a bigger hammer, a 900w hand drill and a big screwdriver*)

I've tried rotating the plug 180 deg having googled before posting here but it didn't make a difference.

Thanks again

*I'm not too DIY-ey.

[NomadJoe]

I had the same problem. I added a three prong plug and soldered a copper wire to it, ran that out the window, soldered that to the end of a 1.5m copper spike which I drove into the soil. The copper spike designed just for this purpose can be purchased at hardware stores in Thailand. They are used for lightning protection too.