I got a small electric shock when I switched off my LP12 turntable last night. I think I also got a a small shock when I switched on the Nait amp a few says ago. The turntable is gounded to the amp.
All hi-fi now unplugged.
Is this is a sign that I should get a new 6 way (6 plug) extension lead?
Or should I tidy up the cables at the back of the hi-fi rack?
Or is it because of dryer weather?
I do have an anti-humidifier in the room.
Tenement flat in Glasgow.
Dry weather and static electricity. Normal. Your gear is grounded so when you touch it, your build up flows from you to the amp and you sense a zap
Happens to me every time I touch my Naim or Denon system between the months of December and April.
Touch the back of your hand first. Hurts let’s than the tip of your finger. Also you can earth yourself on the faucet in the kitchen if you have metal pipework.
Static electricity can give quite a zap.
You need to ground yourself before you touch your kit, if your rack is metal, touch that first as that will ground you.
I recall one car I had years ago, if I opened the door, got out then touched the door to close it, got a huge shock.
In the end, had to hold the metal door frame getting out, which grounded it, then close the door.
DG…
If you only get a shock when touching your system I’d suggest having a PAT test just to make sure all earthing is good, and nothing is live. Better to be safe than sorry.
Has this happened before?
I have never had this around the naim system but have had it from time to time in other circumstances - struggling to remember when/why though.
Many years ago I used to get a tingly shock if I touched something metal that was connected to my PC system. It went on for many years.
In 2019 I had the house rewired and it was found that the earth in the socket that all my PC was plugged into had a bad earth connection.
After the rewiring I got no more shocks.
So whilst it could be just a build up of static, it may be there’s a problem with the mains where it’s all plugged in.
One thing you could try - if you have an RCD plug something like this -
Try that in the socket and see if it trips
I get static when I wear my trainers in the room,
Now I just touch the radiator before touching my kit,
Even if I’m static free,
it’s a ritual for me now🤣
Yes, I was going to make the point that static may or may not discharge through our bodies depending on shoe sole material.
If it is a build up of static, try this trick. Learned when working in an office years ago, with a large number of metal filing cabinets. Before touching the cabinets, after walking across synthetic carpet, we would stamp a foot - worked every time. Those who forgot, soon learnt to remember!
edit - good job today is not April fools day!
I have never been so grateful to have a whole-house humidification and dehumidification system as this thread has made me.
I suffer from static electricity now and again with my LP12, I notice it more now that I have moved to a more modern house. The worst bit is that I touch the deck tentatively for some time after a shock, and once I relax again because I haven’t had one for a while, it zaps me again.
Thanks for the replies.
Update: I have just used a laptop computer for first time in a few weeks. I went to switch it off and unplug it: I got a wee electric shock (less tjam from the LP12)
I think I also got a small electric from the toaster 4 days ago.
I’ve taken the dehumidifier out of the living room.
The situation you describe with your car and static was responsible for an explosion at a gas station when I was young. Cold weather, people wearing wool, start the fuel flow from the pump, then huddle in the car. When the hose clicks off they get out, go to remove the hose from the fuel tank and ZAP. Fumes and a spark.
An experience not limited to hifi at this time of year.
Our cats are changing to summer coats.
This has the side effect of them having lots of loose hair in amongst the floof. So when you touch them you often get an electric shock. They’re like mini Van Den Graaf bundles.
Can range from a mild tingle to a bolt which elicits sweary words from us and a loud Meow from them.
I’ve always done with a bent knuckle.
While it’s happening get in to the habit of using your knuckle to ground yourself as it doesn’t hurt as much there. Drinking more fluid will also help. A friend of mine had to take tablets to help him many years back. We used to charge ourselves up and then touch use our knuckles to touch a workmates ear. Childish, but it kept us entertained and alert!
I think it’s mostly to do with building up a static charge with the soles of your shoes scuffing on carpets. Different soles have more/less effect.
Indeed, a colleague of mine was asked to troubleshoot some very sensitive medical equipment in the Far East. Flew from Frankfurt to Singapore and back. Turned out the operator in question was wearing…
Drum roll…
Crocs!
Martin
Not convinced about that, possibly unless someone is extremely dehydrated.
