Computer components give me an electrical shock when touched.

Toshz · Aug 29, 2014

Hey Guys,

I have just "built" my gaming computer, I still do not have a case as I'm still undecided so I have built it on a cardboard box

However everytime I try to plug/unplug a usb device or touch any of my hard drives I get an electrical shock. Is this a bad sign?

Kinda worried here, would appreciate any help. I just turned my PSU switch off just in case.

k1ng0d · Aug 29, 2014

That could be a problem did you touch the Motherboard, graphics card or cpu and get a shock or was it just the hard drive and usb drive

Toshz · Aug 29, 2014

k1ng0d :

Just the metal parts, the GPU does not shock me.

k1ng0d · Aug 29, 2014

Hmm that is very peculiar so just making sure you didn't get a shock when touching the motherboard or CPU just the hard drive

Toshz · Aug 29, 2014

Yeah, I get shocked on the metal parts of the motherboard where the I/O shield is.

Pr3di · Aug 29, 2014

Do you have grounding in your wall socket? If not, you might break something.
If this keeps happening, always try to touch the SPU before touching anything else in the box.

k1ng0d · Aug 29, 2014

oh, do you have the cardboard box on carpet and have it move around. Or are you wearing socks on carpet while touching the hard drive. Because that can build up an electrical charge and then you touch the metal pieces which causes that to get discharged sorry if it seams stupid questions but just gotta make sure.

Toshz · Aug 29, 2014

Pr3di :

Yes I do, I currently have it connected to an outlet and the 3 pins are in.

I will give it a try connecting it directly to the wall socket.

k1ng0d · Aug 29, 2014

Pr3di :

I just hope he hasn't broken anything yet and sorry for the noobness of this but what is the spu

Toshz · Aug 29, 2014

k1ng0d :

No, I have it on top of a wooden table and I do not have carpet on my floor it's just tiles.

Toshz · Aug 29, 2014

k1ng0d :

I have a Rosewill Capstone 550W Gold rated PSU.

Toshz · Aug 29, 2014

Also, the computer seems to work just fine, I had not started to install windows but it posts and everything works fine.

Pr3di · Aug 29, 2014

Toshz :

Sorry, typo - I was reffering to the PSU.
One way to ground yourself before touching any PC component everytime, is to touch your PSU while it`s connected to the grounded wall socket, even if the PSU is switched off.

k1ng0d · Aug 29, 2014

Toshz :

Pr3di :

OH there we go I was looking all over the internet all confused now it makes since

Toshz · Aug 29, 2014

Do you guys think it could've been me?

Got my crocs on, no shocks now. lol

k1ng0d · Aug 29, 2014

Toshz :

Well in this case there is 2 options you can go on and install windows to see if it will and just not touch anything in the cardboard. Or you can wait to get an actual case and see if that helps it not shock you

k1ng0d · Aug 29, 2014

Toshz :

hmm maybe i'm not super familiar with crocs but aren't they mostly rubber that could help discharge any electricity generated from you

Toshz · Aug 29, 2014

k1ng0d :

Yeah, they are all rubber.

k1ng0d · Aug 29, 2014

Toshz :

Good then my idea would be to continue with installing windows for now and just get a case ASAP and if you need to do some tinkering with the internals just put on those crocs kinda wierd that a wood desk and hardwood floor would gather electricity though

Pooslipper · Aug 29, 2014

Crocs will not "discharge" you. The reason that you are getting a shock is because there is a potential difference (voltage) between you and the earth circuit of your computer. This can mean two things.
1: you are becoming repeatedly statically charged. This will result in a flow of current between you and the earth circuit on your computer. Crocs may stop you becoming charged, but they will not stop you discharging.

2: you have a live current flowing through the earth circuit of your computer. This is normal to a certain extent, as many electronic components "bleed" to earth, but the fact that you are getting shocks is not normal. The voltage of the earth should not be high enough to penetrate your skin, and the earth of your mains circuit should present an "easier path" for the current anyway. I would suggest you try different sockets in different rooms, and call an electrician if necessary.

Toshz · Aug 29, 2014

I am currently not getting shocks anymore, is it possible that the wifi antenna had something to do with it?

that is the only thing i have removed since and im not getting any more shocks, everything is working great atm, installed windows and drivers.

Pr3di · Aug 29, 2014

Either that, or you are now grounded, and didn`t build up any static electricity.
You only get the shock when there is a voltage difference between you and the part that you touch.

Computer components give me an electrical shock when touched.

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