08-08-2008, 12:42 PM

Honestly, I am ready to sell my MBP right now. I was working earlier today and I started feeling a funny fuzzy sensation under my palms on my MBP. For some reason, instinct had me pull the power cord off right away. This fixed the problem at the time.

I have read that if you use the power adapter without the grounded cord, this can happen. WTF. So now I have the grounded cord plugged in and haven't felt that sensation anymore but it still freaked me out. Anyone experience this? Can this fuzzy sensation of what I am assuming is (current) hurt you?

08-08-2008, 01:01 PM

There have been several posts in this forum describing the very same thing. You can do a search and read them.

The metal body of the MBP might conduct if there's something wrong with your AC mains grounding. That can happen either from faulty wiring or because an ungrounded plug or extension was used.

Your question about the current hurting you depends.... Depends on how much current goes through you and the resistance of your body. (Hands wet, sweat, etc.)

Anyway, always use the grounded cord to a grounded AC outlet.

Regards.

08-08-2008, 01:39 PM

the voltage, and more importantly amperage, the power brick puts out is really minimal, so unless there's additionally a fault with the brick there's an extremely low chance of damage. But yes, use properly grounded outlet.

08-08-2008, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by chscag

Your question about the current hurting you depends.... Depends on how much current goes through you and the resistance of your body. (Hands wet, sweat, etc.)

I mean it was a fuzzy sensation. I didn't feel like shocked or zapped. Could the fuzzy sensation still have hurt me?

08-08-2008, 02:28 PM

No, not likely. The "fuzzy feeling" was probably caused by a very small amount of current. My main job for many years in the computer business was doing repairs on main frames and later, on mini machines. I've been jolted a number of times - none of them felt very good! But lucky for me each time the amount of current going through my body was not lethal.

BTW, every time I was shocked was because I was careless. So be careful and always use that grounded plug and extension that came with your MBP when you're not on battery.

Regards.

08-08-2008, 02:34 PM

So as long as I didn't feel any kind of jolt or pain, I should be in the clear?

08-08-2008, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by rothko

So as long as I didn't feel any kind of jolt or pain, I should be in the clear?

Yes, you're fine

It will probably never happen again...

08-09-2008, 09:54 AM

I've read a number of posts in this forum about people receiving electrical shocks from their notebooks. This really concerns me because there is definitely a safety hazard with this charger.

The charger "brick" is supposed to be insulated internally, completely isolating the input side from the output side. So there should be no "sneak" connection from the AC power receptacle to the notebook case no matter how the charger is plugged in. Granted, plugging the charger into a polarized, grounded receptacle will "cure" the problem because the notebook's metal case will then be grounded through the charger to the ground in the receptacle. However, the mere fact that it is possible for a user to be shocked when the charger is plugged in indicates that: 1) The charger has developed an internal fault (short circuit) between the output and the input, which applies a high AC voltage to the notebook's case or 2) the charger has a serious design flaw.

I'm registered professional electrical engineer, so I do know what I'm talking about. Have your charger tested by a qualified electrician. If you experience any electrical shock, replace the charger immediately.

08-09-2008, 10:02 AM

Yes your fine. Electricity won't hurt you, unless its enough to burn you or stop your heart. lol