Electric shock from laptop with ANY monitor plugged in

joedabo

Commendable
Oct 13, 2016
1
0
1,510
Hi

I recently moved from the UK to Brazil and have been getting sharp electric shocks from my laptop whenever a monitor is plugged into it.

I have tried two different monitors using both VGA and HDMI cables and it occurs with both. I have been connecting this laptop to different monitors for a couple of years in multiple countries and never experienced this before.

Would this suggest there is some kind of issue with the wiring in the house?

Could it be anything to do with adapters I am using? This seems unlikely as I have tried all the adapters with just my power cable connected and have no issues.
I have tried connecting to different outlets within the apartment and still get shocks, but only when either of the monitors is plugged in.
When just the power cord is in, I get no shock. When my phone is connected via USB I do not get the shock.
Both my monitors have the US 3-pronged plug. The sockets here in brazil are mostly the two-hole variety, so I need to use adapters.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! (PS I know very very little about electronics and wiring etc).

Thanks

Joe
 
Would this suggest there is some kind of issue with the wiring in the house?
Definitely that! The house in which you're living could be suffering from a grounding issue. you must keep in mind that the UK plug is three pronged and if the grounding isn't present although the wall outlet can accept a three pinned power plug, you're not making an "earthing". This is only happening when you make contact with your hands to the laptop and when you have bare feet making contact with the floor.

Might be best to operate said laptop with a pair of rubber sandals. In the mean time call over a a certified electrician(not those dodgy cheap folks who claim to be certified).