USB port giving out shock

[Ordinem Lars]

Hi guys,

I was using my computer today, and a USB cable connected to my motherboard was giving out an electric feeling (Very much like when you're touching those van de graaff generators). It happens only when connected to a specific port on my motherboard. What should I do? Send out Mobo and PSU for RMA?

 

[makkem]

Hi
If you touch it and get a shock,then touch it again straight away do you get another shock.
If no then it is static ,if yes then it is a power problem.
Is your pc plugged into a three pin socket that is properly grounded ?

 

[Ordinem Lars]

Hi
If you touch it and get a shock,then touch it again straight away do you get another shock.
If no then it is static ,if yes then it is a power problem.
Is your pc plugged into a three pin socket that is properly grounded ?

The shock is gone after replugging it, but how can I be sure that it's static? Should static give a prolonged static shock?

In the Netherlands we don't use three pin sockets, so I'm not entirely sure if it's properly grounded.

 

[makkem]

No,static should not give a prolonged shock,this suggests a power problem.
Surely the Netherlands use grounded plugs ?
Do you get a shock from anywhere else,such as the case or the IO shield ?

 

[Spectre694]

Hi
If you touch it and get a shock,then touch it again straight away do you get another shock.
If no then it is static ,if yes then it is a power problem.
Is your pc plugged into a three pin socket that is properly grounded ?

The shock is gone after replugging it, but how can I be sure that it's static? Should static give a prolonged static shock?

In the Netherlands we don't use three pin sockets, so I'm not entirely sure if it's properly grounded.

What plug do you use there?
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/

 

[Solandri]

In the Netherlands we don't use three pin sockets, so I'm not entirely sure if it's properly grounded.

The ground on the round EU-style power plug is the small metal pins/flats above and below the prongs. #2 in this pic:

Europe got electricity after the U.S., so got to learn from the problems which cropped up in the U.S. The plug is designed so (1) as you're inserting the plug the ground makes contact first, before the electrified power pins, and (2) you cannot touch the electrified pins while they're connected. If you are using this type of plug and are getting shocked, the problem may be your house's wiring. If it is, an electrician needs to check it out ASAP because it could cause a fire.

If you are using the flat type of plug

you really shouldn't be using that with a computer (except maybe a laptop). Find an appropriate power cable with the round (type F) plug.

 

[Ordinem Lars]

No,static should not give a prolonged shock,this suggests a power problem.
Surely the Netherlands use grounded plugs ?
Do you get a shock from anywhere else,such as the case or the IO shield ?

As of right now, the shocking has stopped completely, but I'm scared that it will come back and kill off most of my components. What would be my safest bet then?

 

[makkem]

You need to ensure that the pc is plugged into a grounded socket,that will ensure any voltages whether static or power are safely drained to ground.
You may want to get one of these ; http://
Your local Amazon will probably have them and will tell you if there is a ground present.