Question Desktop PC causing electric current on laptop case

[vladimirterziyski]

Hello,
I have a weird electricity issue with my desktop computer and laptop.
My desktop PC - when connected in the same APC surge protector is causing electric current flow on the laptop case. The current is not high, I can hold my hand, but not for too long. It happens only when I touch the wall and at the same time I'm touching the laptop case, otherwise - if I don't touch the wall I don't feel the current.
When I disconnect the desktop PC from the power - no electricity flows on the laptop case. Also when I touch the wall and the desktop PC case - no current there - only on the laptop case.
Same thing happens to a second laptop (same model).

How can I isolate the component which is causing this in the desktop PC? Is is the PSU which is causing this or maybe I should find and test with another power cable?

 

[Ralston18]

Do you have a multimeter and know how to use it? Or know someone who does?

Do the voltage measures by instrument and not by hand/touch. Using your hand is likely to end badly.

How are the power connections being made?

Wall outlet ----> APC Surge Protector with -----> Desktop plugged in and ----> laptop(s) plugged in. Correct?

Or is either the Desktop or a laptop plugged into the second plug on the wall outlet?

Any other connected devices?

Does the problem continue with the APC surge protector removed from the connections?

Using the multimeter check each item (Surge Protector, Desktop, Laptop) one by one.

Check the wall outlet as well.

 

[MJS WARLORD]

are you sure it is proper electricity and not static them is building up from some where .
When YOU touch wall etc you say things happen , this could indicate you are acting as a ground earth.
Open all plugs and check the little brass screws holding the wires in place to see if they have worked loose , yes I know some plugs are sealed.

DONT coil wires up to make them look neat as this can cause earth loops and other nasty things to happen.

 

[Karadjgne]

APC surge protector. Exactly what do you mean by that? I've seen that label applied to everything from a $2 electric strip with a little red breaker switch to a $1000 standalone battery backup system.

Unless you know what you are doing with household electrical circuitry, I'd strongly suggest you not 'open all plugs' and start digging around with brass screws. That's a very quick way to get the crap knocked out of you when you complete an electrical circuit across your heart.

 

[vladimirterziyski]

Do you have a multimeter and know how to use it? Or know someone who does?

Do the voltage measures by instrument and not by hand/touch. Using your hand is likely to end badly.

How are the power connections being made?

Wall outlet ----> APC Surge Protector with -----> Desktop plugged in and ----> laptop(s) plugged in. Correct?

Or is either the Desktop or a laptop plugged into the second plug on the wall outlet?

Any other connected devices?

Does the problem continue with the APC surge protector removed from the connections?

Using the multimeter check each item (Surge Protector, Desktop, Laptop) one by one.

Check the wall outlet as well.

I don't have a multimeter, but I'm planning to buy one. I also found out that on the desktop pc there is also electricity on inner frame of the case.

The surge protector is connected to the wall outlet. Both desktop and laptop plugged into the surge protector.
This is the one i use: https://www.apc.com/shop/vn/en/prod...with-Phone-Protection-230V-Germany/P-PH6T3-GR

I've tried with only desktop and laptop connected, nothing else and the same issue. I even disconnected the PSU from each component - only psu connected to the power and still the same. As if PSU itself is messing up with the electricity.

I didn't try removing the surge protector, but tried the laptop plugged in directly to the wall outlet and to another surge protector - no problem there. So I think the problem is not in the laptop.

This is the PSU https://eu.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=220-G2-0550-Y2

 

[vladimirterziyski]

APC surge protector. Exactly what do you mean by that? I've seen that label applied to everything from a $2 electric strip with a little red breaker switch to a $1000 standalone battery backup system.

Unless you know what you are doing with household electrical circuitry, I'd strongly suggest you not 'open all plugs' and start digging around with brass screws. That's a very quick way to get the crap knocked out of you when you complete an electrical circuit across your heart.

This one:
https://www.apc.com/shop/vn/en/prod...with-Phone-Protection-230V-Germany/P-PH6T3-GR

I'm not an electrician, I won't risk opening the plugs.

 

[vladimirterziyski]

I think I've narrowed down the problem - the wall outlet I'm connecting the computers to.
After I tried connecting the desktop to another another outlets and power strips - there is no problem, at least I can't feel the electricity on the case. I'll try to find someone who can test with multimeter to be sure.

Thank you all for the help!

 

[MJS WARLORD]

Karadjgne , I think you misunderstood what I meant by open the plugs.
What I meant was take the screw out of the plug that you would remove if you wanted to change a fuse.
The reason I said examine the brass screws that hold the wires in place is because over a period of time these screws have mysteriously been know to work loose , don't ask me what causes this to happen all I know is that it does happen.

when you get an electrician to check your wall sockets make sure he uses one of these plugs as it is the only acurate way to tell whats wrong , when you put them into a wall socket the lights on the back will tell you what the problem is. As they are not expensive it might be worth getting one yourself just in case the electrician does not have one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=mains+...=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mh0a9-21&ref=pd_sl_69103s5j8_e

 

[vladimirterziyski]

Karadjgne , I think you misunderstood what I meant by open the plugs.
What I meant was take the screw out of the plug that you would remove if you wanted to change a fuse.
The reason I said examine the brass screws that hold the wires in place is because over a period of time these screws have mysteriously been know to work loose , don't ask me what causes this to happen all I know is that it does happen.

when you get an electrician to check your wall sockets make sure he uses one of these plugs as it is the only acurate way to tell whats wrong , when you put them into a wall socket the lights on the back will tell you what the problem is. As they are not expensive it might be worth getting one yourself just in case the electrician does not have one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=mains+...=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mh0a9-21&ref=pd_sl_69103s5j8_e

A little more development on the case. As I mentioned the wall power socket was the cause, but the surge protector actually showed that something is wrong from the very beginning. There is an OK led indicator for the grounding which was never on, since when I bought it, several years ago. The led indicator showed OK on every other wall socket and strip I've tried. I've never paid attention to this, but now I learned my lesson. I'll examine the socket soon to see if I can do something, otherwise I'll leave this to a technician.