[fewie225]

Hi all,

I have an iPhone 3gs and if I use it whilst it's on charge I get an electric shock when the chrome bezel touches my cheek / ear area!! It's only a small shock(I'm an electrician so I've had my fair share! ) but it's definately a shock. Anyone suffer the same or heard of this fault before?

What voltage does the iPhone charge at? With it being a USB device I'm guessing it's only low.

What are apple like for returns? I don't really wanna be without my iPhone whilst it get repaired (nor should I be at £540 paid up front!). I bought it from carphone warehouse and where I live in Hull we don't have an official Apple store. Can anyone recommend how I take this forward? Cheers.

[highpriest]

Originally Posted by fewie225

I have an iPhone 3gs and if I use it whilst it's on charge I get an electric shock when the chrome bezel touches my cheek / ear area!! It's only a small shock(I'm an electrician so I've had my fair share! ) but it's definately a shock. Anyone suffer the same or heard of this fault before?

Faulty earth wiring maybe? Have you tried at a different house or at work?

What voltage does the iPhone charge at? With it being a USB device I'm guessing it's only low.

Since it can charge straight off USB, it's 5v methinks.

Cheers
HighPriest

[fewie225]

A quick google has revealed it's a common fault dating back to the 3G.

The USB charger is indeed 5v.

I've tried two different chargers, one official and one generic and both do it. At home and at work. It makes the phone very uncomfortable to use whilst on charge (often thanks to apples idea of battery life ). If everyones does it then I'll put up with it but if it's a fault I want a replacement!

[neilybealy]

this happend to me in the summer whilst in spain. i used the usb lead to charge from a laptop and each time i picked it up whilst charging i got a bolt

i put it down to their electrical system but obviously not. my 3g is now 18 months old nearly so they probably wouldn't replace

[Empgamer]

I've just had the same. Really bizarre. Held the phone when it was on charge and sent an sms. Felt a tingling in my fingers from the bezel. After, some one rang and when I answered I got a really good buzz in the ear!!! I could actually see some blue sparking off the bezel to my fingers. Really odd. Plan to get the socket tested but it seems to be something that is not so rare!!!

[Saldawop]

My iphone is on charge most of the time when at home.Have had 2G, 2x3G and 3GS .Have never encountered this.

[dhali2105]

Just encountered this now. iPhone is plugged into the mains and its a little tingling when i touch the chrome part with my ear. However doesnt happen when i conenct the usb to lappy. I probably have a rubbish extension cable or something

[facehurts]

I was shocked in the face from my iphone 3g while it was charging so bad that I have went to the dr and may have nerve damage. I called apple, spoke to someone, they put me on hold and 30min later they hung up or cut the call off. I have no idea what I should do to get this fixed and AT&T would not even check the phone outt

[dejongj]

You have nerve damage from a device that charges at 5v??? Really??

Can't say I've noticed it with my 3G nor my daughter who is using it now. Have you tried a different charger and or socket?

[MikeCleal]

Happened to me with my 3GS, Apple replaced with a new one with no questions, it was 3 months out of warranty as well.

[facehurts]

Thanks for you good words on the 5v, you sound smart so you must know that anything that is plugged has a possibility of a shock. I also said may, the dr said may and wants to see when it is not inflamed. Would you like me to send my phone and charger to you and you can let your Daughter use it, because I have five children and don't want them around it or any at this point until we find out what happened any why. My goal was to let anyone, that wants to know that there is a chance of getting hurt.

I bet you spouse thinks your funny and never rude...but dont takle my word for it,, REALLY?

[gkpm]

You should see a different doctor facehurts, maybe a different speciality.

[noiseboy72]

What you are feeling is a very low current "tingle", as there is no connection between the case earth and mains earth. The switched mode power supply in the charging plug generates 5V when measured between the plus and minus connections on the iphone plug, but in relation to earth it could be 10s or even hundreds of volts. This potential difference is you are feeling.

The good news is that this is a perfectly harmless sensation. Very common on video equipment - HDMI can see sparks!

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by facehurts

Thanks for you good words on the 5v, you sound smart so you must know that anything that is plugged has a possibility of a shock. I also said may, the dr said may and wants to see when it is not inflamed. Would you like me to send my phone and charger to you and you can let your Daughter use it, because I have five children and don't want them around it or any at this point until we find out what happened any why. My goal was to let anyone, that wants to know that there is a chance of getting hurt.

I bet you spouse thinks your funny and never rude...but dont takle my word for it,, REALLY?

I've got to say face hurts, not surprised Apple hung up on you. I guess it would be hard to take you serious if you heard that story as a customer service agent. It was impolite of them to hang up though, but I would hazard a guess they were rolling on their chairs from laughter and accidentally hit the close call button. Oh, for the avoidance of doubt my comments were/are directed to you and your doctor (who was that, Michael Jacksons GP?) thinking you have nerve damage in your face...

On the topic, I've felt the low current tingle as well but considering the OP is an electrician I didn't think he meant that one as he talks about a shock.