Very weird behaviour with continuous electric shocks from PC

[asado999]

Hey guys! Recently, my PC began giving me shocks. It usually was on my table. Thing is, when I took it to a different place (where it stood on the floor), I did not get shocked. So that led me to the conclusion that I get shocked by the PC when I put it on the desk. This was true for almost all the desks/tables in my house. They are mostly wooden.
I thought it was a problem with the PC, but soon I discovered that my iPad would also give me electric shocks when on the table but not on the floor. Turns out it's not my PC that is at fault here.

To summarize:
- PC gives continuous electric shocks (not ESD) when on a table, but not when it is on the floor
- This applies to all electronics with metal casing in my house

Questions:
1) What is the problem?
2) How hard is it to fix?
3) If I do not fix it immediately, is it dangerous for my PC?

 

[yoji]

Sounds like you need get an electrician to check the earth in your house.

 

[tech-wreck]

is happening all over the house, or just from one wall outlet?
either way i would be calling an electrician

 

[asado999]

All outlets. I'll ask an electrician, thanks guys. I'll pick solution once it gets fixed.

 

[Gate9er]

Get an electrician!

 

[asado999]

What about my third question? Is it safe to use while an electrician has not fixed my house?

 

[Gate9er]

What about my third question? Is it safe to use while an electrician has not fixed my house?

Well try and reduce the usage time of electric devices, first of all for your own afety and health and second of all for the safety of your products!

 

[pastit]

If it's only in one place on a carpet, it could be static electricity, the case is grounded and you are not.
Have you changed clothes recently, or tried touching something which is earthed?
JB

 

[asado999]

If it's only in one place on a carpet, it could be static electricity, the case is grounded and you are not.
Have you changed clothes recently, or tried touching something which is earthed?
JB

It is not static, it is a continuous current. It's not only on one place on the carpet, it's only when it is on the desk.

 

[asado999]

What about my third question? Is it safe to use while an electrician has not fixed my house?

Well try and reduce the usage time of electric devices, first of all for your own afety and health and second of all for the safety of your products!

The shocks are not painful per se and they only occur when on a table, so if it's not shocking me because it is on the floor, is it still dangerous for my PC?

 

[tech-wreck]

on the floor, the leaky current is going straight to ground. the table is an insulator, so the path of least resistance is you.
the current is passing through the metal case so the components may be protected, but i'm no electrican so don't take my word for it.

 

[tsnor]

Try this test.

1. Get a shock from PC.
2. Don't move you feet. wait a minute. really don't move your feet.
3. then touch PC and see if you get a shock again.

IF you get shocked again, you have a serious ground problem. Your PC's case should be grounded thru the power supply ground wire. The first shock to you should have drained any charge you picked up walking across the carpet.

If no then you have Static Electricity and this is not a problem. (For example, all winter when the air is dry my cats get a shock from me when I give them the first pet after walking over. Neither the cats nor I need an electrician).