Am I in danger?

MargaretR · 13-11-2010, 16:52

I have two PC set ups.
I had one in the lounge and the (unused) spare in the bedroom.
I decided to bring the spare into the lounge and set it up for use (beside the other one ).

It was last used about 6 months ago and is actually the newer of the two.
I set it up and switched on - it still works OK(so far), so I closed it down and started juggling with where to put the extra keyboard.

As I put the keyboard on top of the tower, I touched the tower casing
...and got a mild static type? electric shock, so I immediately unplugged that tower.

I ask - is it possible that what I felt was just static, or do you think somehow the tower casing became live.
Has anyone known of static builld up before?

garinda · 13-11-2010, 16:55

Sorry, can't be any help at all, but don't risk touching it Margaret, until somone more in the know, can advise you.

MargaretR · 13-11-2010, 17:03

Where is Neil when he's needed for advice?
He collected the carpet washer at lunchtime so he is back from his trip to Scotland.

garinda · 13-11-2010, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

Where is Neil when he's needed for advice?
He collected the carpet washer at lunchtime so he is back from his trip to Scotland.

Rather than be in any danger I'd bet he'd want you to ring him, if he's offline.

MargaretR · 13-11-2010, 17:20

I have managed to phone my son who looks after the computer network at the Manchester UNI Maths department, and he says he has never known a PC tower become 'live'. He also says that if any appliance was 'leaking' electicity to earth, the mains circuit breaker would 'trip out'.
I would like an electrician to confirm that (since my son isn't one)

PS I have Neil's mobile number, but rather than disturb him on his night off, I will wait for his response here.

garinda · 13-11-2010, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I have managed to phone my son who looks after the computer network at the Manchester UNI Maths department, and he says he has never known a PC tower become 'live'. He also says that if any appliance was 'leaking' electicity to earth, the mains circuit breaker would 'trip out'.
I would like an electrician to confirm that (since my son isn't one)

PS I have Neil's mobile number, but rather than disturb him on his night off, I will wait for his response here.

Good.

Keep yer Wellies on, until given the green light.

You'd irritate peoples' allergies, if you went up in smoke.

(Plus we'd miss you x)

Neil · 13-11-2010, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

PS I have Neil's mobile number, but rather than disturb him on his night off, I will wait for his response here.

Very nice of you but I would not have minded, we were only in Asda anyway

I think your son is correct that any leak to earth would have tripped out the RCD in your flat.

It could have been you that was static charged and it dissipated to earth when you touched the PC tower which will be earthed.

Some equipment is not even earthed, satellite boxes are terrible for giving little shocks.

Personally I would try it again and see if it does it again. Some people are really prone to static shocks. I was given a label printer (PC network type not battery hand held) because the the chap who bought it kept getting shocks when he touched it. I have tried many times and it does not bite me

Neil · 13-11-2010, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I have Neil's mobile number

Don't be thinking you special, everyman and his dog appears to have my number

. One of my managers text me at 6am Friday morning to see if I had driven up to Scotland in that wind and rain ok and while having breakfast the engineering manager from up there text me to say he would be in work later and would see me when he arrived

Margaret Pilkington · 13-11-2010, 19:18

I get static shocks from all kinds of equipment....I should have a head of hair like that boxing promoter chappie.(Don King is he called?)
Especially the car doors.

MargaretR · 13-11-2010, 19:18

Thanks for the reassurance.

flashy · 13-11-2010, 19:22

i get static shocks from prams and shopping trolleys.....kin evil things

SPUGGIE J · 13-11-2010, 20:24

Better the static discharged into you Margaret and no I aint being sadistic. Static can reach 60,000 volts but has no ampage so harmless to you. But to a computer it can do serious damage. Thats why you should always be earthed when in the gubbins of a computer so as no static hits it.

K.S.H · 13-11-2010, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Especially the car doors.

Me too especially with cloth seats, leather seem to be OK, trick is when you open the door, touch the metal before you put your foot out on the floor, you don't get them then, takes a while to get into the habit of doing it.

junetta · 13-11-2010, 20:45

I have the same problem with my computer. I daren´t touch the case as I always get a shock but it doesn´t affect ´im indoors. No sense no feeling, lol.

cashman · 13-11-2010, 22:14

Paris is always getting static shocks off car doors, must just be you women "Red Hot"