[Buckster]

Keep getting bolts off my AV equipment - not dangerous (I think) jolts, but that horrible feeling of putting your hands on nettles ...

Got it last night from the power plug (low voltage end) of my XBOX 360 - and also worse from my Power Amplifier case. (Power amplifier was off - but plugged in)

Got the nasty nettles feeling twice touching the power amp, then no-more - so I presume I discharged whatever was floating around.

I've spoken to some people at work, as I work for an electronics firm, and people seem pretty convinced its bascially to do with floating earths, and is nothing to worry about - but something to be aware of. Is this correct ?

I got the same shock feeling off my TIVO a while back too.

I checked the casework of the items in question with a multimeter, and not a thing registered, so I'm presuming although these voltages feel quite unpleasant, they are very low current ?

thanks, Mark.

[ssuellid]

Are you sure its not just static electricity? Usually not helped by wearing man made fibres or having a carpet made of man made fibres.

[Buckster]

pretty certain - static normally discharges in like a microsecond - this continues if you keep your hand on the item

[chrisgeary]

yes, i've experienced this. i think the TV is usually the source. when you say you used a multimeter, what setting did you use (volts AC/DC or amps?) and what was your ground point?

[Stereo Steve]

This is quite common. I uses to get it with a Pioneer reciever. It's because they are double insulated and the chassis is not earthed. I ended up hooking a wire to the mains earth and attatching to the chassis. This can cause hum though but I think it's safe enough.

[bob1]

I have had this on a sky box and the aerial socket of an old tv,you will know when its the real thing ,luckily I've not had one for ages, not dead just yet .

[cribeiro]

I get them also from time to time. It is just static electricity, nothing to worry about, but quite annoying. Actually, the title of the thread should be "AV kit getting electric shocks off me" :-)

It not only depends on the clothes and shoes you are wearing, but also weather. Yes, weather! Well, not important in UK anyway Because it is so humid. But here near Frankfurt we have often very dry days, which increase chances to get one of these shocks, and moreover, make them even stronger.

I know more or less when I am charged, and I always discharge myself taking some metal object (my keys, mostly) and touching some grounded stuff. And have fun seeing the sparks! Although some times it is so strong that it hurts (a bit) even this way.

I would advice against discharging yourself via AV enclosures. Although it should be harmless for your kit, my Azur amp went into protection mode once as I touched it when I was charged. But I know its protection circuit is extremely sensitive.

[bob1]

It isn't always static electricity,i got a little kick off the sky box every time i touched it ,i got multiple shocks when trying to put a scart plug into the box below it ,every time my arm brushed it i got a little belt.

[cribeiro]

Hello Bob1,

well, (some of) the sockets on the back of AV devices have of course some low voltage on them. Some people is more sensitive to it, and again it depends on several factors, like how wet are your hands. That is why manufacturers tell you to switch off and unplug devices before connecting all the cables.

Now, if what you say happens to you also when touching the enclosures, then I recommend you to have the kit inspected, since something must be wrong with it. If you have a voltmeter, you can measure the voltage between the enclosure and earth. Do not mess up with the mains socket! This is dangerous, and you should only do it if you know what you are doing! As earth you can take for example the enclosure of your fridge (the part not painted).

Regards,

Alberto

[bob1]

It was only a tickle ,the box has long gone now anyway.
The best one i have ever had was when i was sat in the dark tweaking an old radio receiver with head phones on,it was across my knees at the time and for some reason i touched the live rail which ran the length of the receiver ,please don't try this at home.

[cribeiro]

Heh, I know this too... I have repaired my old pj several times (now I have a Sanyo z4 ) and of course I wanted to know if it is working before closing it again... Well, rule number one: never connect to mains while live wires/rails are to hand.

One prof. at the University used to tell us that you should always manipulate electric devices with one hand in your pocket (so that in case of a shock, the electricity won't go across your chest, hitting your heart).

Ok, I see you know what you are doing, as I am too

[dogastus]

Originally Posted by Stereo Steve

This is quite common. I uses to get it with a Pioneer reciever. It's because they are double insulated and the chassis is not earthed. I ended up hooking a wire to the mains earth and attatching to the chassis. This can cause hum though but I think it's safe enough.

Stereo Steve is quite right. Because of this (IMHO dodgy) approach of double insulated appliances it is VERY VERY important that you don't plug/unplug ANY of your AV cables without first unplugging the equipment from the mains . It is VERY possible to do permanent damage to your treasured equipment otherwise. What is shocking to you is also shocking to your AV circuitry!