iMac - Metal Keyboard Static Shock

hagerstown40 · hagerstown40 #1 (**permalink**)

01-22-2008, 10:33 AM

We have two 24Imac's that we are presently running. Several times throughout the day we get shocked when touching the metal keyboard. I purchased a antistatic chairmat - but the shocks continue. Has anyone experienced the same and found a solution?

Thanks!

redVnum · redVnum #2 (**permalink**)

01-22-2008, 11:40 AM

that just happened to me yesterday... it kind of scared me..

Maybe you could get one of those clear plastic chair mats to roll your chair on?

MacHeadCase · MacHeadCase #3 (**permalink**)

01-22-2008, 11:45 AM

Wow! What a strange problem you both have!

I keep getting electric shocks in the apartment, stepping out of cars, etc. all the time (and man, do I ever HATE it!!!) but so far so good with the wired Alu keyboard. Although we do have hardwood floors, no carpet.

Do you use the wireless or wired model?

Are your floors covered in carpet? That would indeed increase electrical build-up...

Stretch · Stretch #4 (**permalink**)

01-22-2008, 01:34 PM

I've been noticing that problem too. I have a plastic chairmat but it doesn't make a different.

technologist · technologist #5 (**permalink**)

01-22-2008, 01:57 PM

Laws of physics. Other than getting a plastic keyboard (or maybe a humidifer) then there's not much you can do.

redVnum · redVnum #6 (**permalink**)

01-22-2008, 05:08 PM

you could always spray some static guard on your keyboard!

JK! hahah

hagerstown40 · hagerstown40 #7 (**permalink**)

01-23-2008, 03:44 PM

I bought a anti static chairmat - did not do much. I really like the aluminum keyboard - aside from the shock factor.

iLindzo · iLindzo #8 (**permalink**)

01-23-2008, 07:34 PM

I use the aluminum keyboard every day at work and I've never been shocked.

Have you tried picking up your feet when you walk?

That's what always gets me.

texastame · texastame #9 (**permalink**)

12-23-2008, 04:40 PM

Yes me and several co-workers and friends I know have the same problem on the metal keyboard, I switched to a plastic G3 Mac Keyboard but the metal case of the CPU still shocks me if I get to close to it, this seems to be a common problem.

salmar · salmar #10 (**permalink**)

12-23-2008, 05:48 PM

I have the aluminum keyboard and never got a shock. Maybe the difference is that I don't wear shoes in the house so with just my socks on with a carpeted floor you can't get shocks. Try removing your shoes on the carpet where the computer sits.

NewbieMacUser · NewbieMacUser #11 (**permalink**)

06-09-2009, 11:43 AM

We bought a couple of Macs last year and have been experiencing 'static' shocks from the iMac's metal keyboard. It is more of a continuous shock though, as if it needs to be earthed. The same applies to the actual CPU/screen's metal surround. This, when touched, vibrates electrically, again as if there is a problem with the earthing wires. We have been using one of those keyboard "zCovers" purchased from the Apple store which helps me but the kids just toss this aside as typing is such a drag with it on.
My MacBook Pro also has that electrical vibration to its metal casing!

We have ceramic tiled flooring, no rugs or carpets and always walk barefoot - we're still 'shocked'.

Stretch #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 13, 2007 Location: Central New York Posts: 4,774 Mac Specs: 15in i7 MacBook Pro, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD, 500GB HD	01-22-2008, 01:34 PM I've been noticing that problem too. I have a plastic chairmat but it doesn't make a different. Blog and Photo Gallery: http://philolin.me/ Currently running OS X 10.10
	QUOTE Thanks

iLindzo #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 01, 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 387 Mac Specs: 15" MBP w/Intel Core 2 Duo w/Lion, MBA w/Lion, 80GB iPod Video, 32GB iPhone 4, Two 32GB iPads	01-23-2008, 07:34 PM I use the aluminum keyboard every day at work and I've never been shocked. Have you tried picking up your feet when you walk? That's what always gets me.  Mac users swear by their computers. PC users swear at their computers.
	QUOTE Thanks

salmar #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 13, 2008 Posts: 109 Mac Specs: 20" alum iMac 2.4 3 gigs ram	12-23-2008, 05:48 PM I have the aluminum keyboard and never got a shock. Maybe the difference is that I don't wear shoes in the house so with just my socks on with a carpeted floor you can't get shocks. Try removing your shoes on the carpet where the computer sits. 20" alum iMac 2.4 3 gigs ram Lake Geneva, Fl
	QUOTE Thanks

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hagerstown40 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2008 Posts: 2	01-22-2008, 10:33 AM We have two 24Imac's that we are presently running. Several times throughout the day we get shocked when touching the metal keyboard. I purchased a antistatic chairmat - but the shocks continue. Has anyone experienced the same and found a solution? Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

redVnum #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 04, 2007 Posts: 24	01-22-2008, 11:40 AM that just happened to me yesterday... it kind of scared me.. Maybe you could get one of those clear plastic chair mats to roll your chair on?
	QUOTE Thanks

technologist #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 30, 2004 Location: USA Posts: 4,744 Mac Specs: 12" Apple PowerBook G4 (1.5GHz)	01-22-2008, 01:57 PM Laws of physics. Other than getting a plastic keyboard (or maybe a humidifer) then there's not much you can do.
	QUOTE Thanks

redVnum #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 04, 2007 Posts: 24	01-22-2008, 05:08 PM you could always spray some static guard on your keyboard! JK! hahah
	QUOTE Thanks

hagerstown40 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2008 Posts: 2	01-23-2008, 03:44 PM I bought a anti static chairmat - did not do much. I really like the aluminum keyboard - aside from the shock factor.
	QUOTE Thanks

texastame #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 23, 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1 Mac Specs: iMac G5	12-23-2008, 04:40 PM Yes me and several co-workers and friends I know have the same problem on the metal keyboard, I switched to a plastic G3 Mac Keyboard but the metal case of the CPU still shocks me if I get to close to it, this seems to be a common problem.
	QUOTE Thanks

NewbieMacUser #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 09, 2009 Posts: 1	06-09-2009, 11:43 AM We bought a couple of Macs last year and have been experiencing 'static' shocks from the iMac's metal keyboard. It is more of a continuous shock though, as if it needs to be earthed. The same applies to the actual CPU/screen's metal surround. This, when touched, vibrates electrically, again as if there is a problem with the earthing wires. We have been using one of those keyboard "zCovers" purchased from the Apple store which helps me but the kids just toss this aside as typing is such a drag with it on. My MacBook Pro also has that electrical vibration to its metal casing! We have ceramic tiled flooring, no rugs or carpets and always walk barefoot - we're still 'shocked'.
	QUOTE Thanks

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