[olug] shocking case

Timothy G. O'Brien irishMASMS at netscape.net
Thu Oct 11 22:10:54 UTC 2001


Ok, before you swap out the case or the power supply check two grounds - the one everyone has mentioned with your 3 prong power & earth ground, but also check that the ground between the PC power supply & the case/3 prong plug is connected. 

Ensuring your system is properly grounded will solve your problem - not replacing the case or power supply (that will just cost you more $$$$). If it is a problem with your power supply, instead of swapping it out have an electrical hobbyist take a look at it first - I have had a few supplies fixed and it only cost me a few dollars. 

J Randall Wilson <jrwilson at qwest.net> wrote:

>
>I generally agree.  Your computer is acting like an rc network with a long
>time constant.  The problem is two-fold.  A bad ground means that a charge
>build up can't be dissipated, which would also affect your surge protection.
>A high resistance short in the power supply, possibly caused by a dust
>build up, would cause an electron build up in the conductor (the case).
>The result is a capacitor with no discharge path.
>
>The 7 volts is about 60% of 12 volts (B*) reached in an hour.  I would
>wager that another hour would have added an additional 3 volts (60& of
>the remaining 5 volts) and anouther hour would have seen another 1.2 volts.
>
>The case is of no concern because the power supply attaches with screws.
>
>Enlight is a very good case.
>
>
>Randy
>
>
>On Wed, 10 Oct 2001, Eric Penne wrote:
>
>> I agree with Phil on the poor grounding scenario.  The power supply is
>> probably shorting somewhere.  The power supply has large caps in it to
>> smooth any power ripples and is holding the charge.  This slowly
>> dissipated over night.  The reason it only showed 7 volts the next day
>> was the grounding issue.  The bad ground can have a different
>> resistance.  You might just replace the power supply if you like your
>> current case.  Otherwise get a new case and power supply.
>>
>> I would also check the wall outlet and make sure it is a 3 prong outlet
>> that is actually  wired correctly.  this is for your protection so the
>> current that wants to go through you to whatever ground might find an
>> easier path going to the ground in the outlet.
>>
>>
>> --- Phil Brutsche <phil at giedi.obix.com> wrote:
>> > A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far way, someone said...
>> >
>> > > Please help.  Where's a good place to buy a new case (with power
>> > > suply)?
>> >
>> > Think less "a good place to buy them" and more "what's a good brand
>> > to get
>> > and where do I get it".
>> >
>> > To answer my own question, get an Enlight case.  They rock.  You can
>> > get
>> > them at DIT and PC Support.
>> >
>> > > What could have caused this shocking behavior?
>> >
>> > Poor grounding is all I can think of.
>> >
>> > > I bought this case in December 2000.  There are not any loose wires
>> > > etc etc.
>> >
>> > --
>> >
>> > Phil
>> >
>> >
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-- 
   Timothy "Irish" O'Brien

   1951 South 15th Street
   Omaha, NE
   68108-3903



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