Electric shock in my Mame system

[shilmover]

Okay...

This is a strange one.

Installed a new monitor (its a PC monitor so it has the regular power).  If i touch any metal part in the cab (USB connector, VGA Connector, Power Supply metal case, etc), I get an electric shock.  I have not measured it, but its enough to wake you up (not hurt you).

I get this even if the Powerbar is turned off.  I believe it is coming from the Monitor.

It is my assumption that something is not grounded properly.

Any ideas?  I would hate for one of my kids to get zapped.   

Thanks,

B

[grantspain]

probably a half mains shock,all your metal parts are earthed?

[shilmover]

I thought so, but I guess not.

how would I do that properly?

probably a half mains shock,all your metal parts are earthed?

[grantspain]

every exposed metal area(coin door,control panel) should all be linked to earth,as should the monitor frame
basically all you need to do is connect a wire to each metal part and have a common earthing point where they all connect to which is in turn linked to the earth of the power cable

[shilmover]

I will try that.

The monitor has a normal 3-prong computer power cable (since its just a de-cased monitor), so it is not connected, but I assume it is via the cable.

B

[SavannahLion]

While you're at it....

For about four months (or longer) had used a PC that gave constant mild shocks whenever I touched any metal part. The same PC also experienced a lot of random errors, crashes, etc. It drove me ape ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- trying to figure it out. Swapped out power supplies, RAM, a lot of parts.

Turns out the problem was that the apartment I moved into didn't have a proper grounds in some of the wall sockets. I didn't even realize this was a problem until I got a hold of one of these at some rat shack sale.


You can figure it out with a multimeter as well. Not having proper grounds can cause a whole range of symptoms.

[fjl]

I would hate for one of my kids to get zapped.

If they're being bad or not doing their homework, tell them to go ahead and play it.

To get a shock by touching a metal part would require that another part of your body is in contact with another conductor that completes the circuit to allow current to flow. In this case, through your body. What other part, place, piece, metal are you touching that is causing this. But like the guy before me already mentioned, get one of those devices and check to see that the wiring is correct. The place I currently live was built like back in the 1940's. Some outlets also do not have a proper ground or the hot is connected where the neutral should be and other weird stuff. I don't use those outlets for my expensive equipment. Have had problems in the past.

[georgemcfly]

Newb question: Earth ground the round prong on the power able?

[shilmover]

Here is the strange thing...

Plugged it back in last night to start working with it... no shock.

I will work on it again and check all the connections, just to be safe...

[shilmover]

I would hate for one of my kids to get zapped.

If they're being bad or not doing their homework, tell them to go ahead and play it.

Believe some days...   

Seriously, though...  I understand why some mammals eat their young!!   

[SavannahLion]

Newb question: Earth ground the round prong on the power able?

Doh! I made a lame assumption, that the OP is in the U.S. That doohickey is specific to American standard 120V wall sockets. So if you're in North America then the answer to your question is yes. If you're not in the U.S. (or some accommodating region), you'll need to go look it up.

Here is the strange thing...

Plugged it back in last night to start working with it... no shock.

I will work on it again and check all the connections, just to be safe...

You might have an intermittent break somewhere in your grounding circuit. These are royal ass to figure out. Check to make sure none of your connectors are loose.

[shilmover]

Here is the strange thing...

Plugged it back in last night to start working with it... no shock.

I will work on it again and check all the connections, just to be safe...

You might have an intermittent break somewhere in your grounding circuit. These are royal ass to figure out. Check to make sure none of your connectors are loose.

Par for the course for this project.     Will do.