Question: iPad gives tingly light vibration electrocution when plugged into mains

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Question: iPad gives tingly light vibration electrocution when plugged into mains

I thought I'd ask whether this was normal seeing that my friends ipads are doing the same thing;

Using the supplied AC adaptor and supplied USB cable, when I plug my iPad into the mains its gives a kind of tingly vibration feeling on the back, especially when I move my hand around the surface. When not plugged into the mains or when plugged into my PC it does not happen... suggestions? Is this a fault?

Ipad Wifi 32GB, Windows 7

Posted on Jun 16, 2010 11:14 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 16, 2010 11:45 AM in response to oddballo In response to oddballo

I haven't noticed anything like that. But I'll check it out when I get home.

Jun 16, 2010 11:45 AM

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Answer 2

red555

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Jun 16, 2010 12:54 PM in response to oddballo In response to oddballo

Not sure because the output of the charger is 5 volts, which won't really draw enough current to feel, through your hand.

If any of your friends have a multimeter, you can measure if there is voltage present on the outside of the case.

Jun 16, 2010 12:54 PM

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

lllaass

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Jun 16, 2010 2:02 PM in response to red555 In response to red555

My guess is that the vibration is due to the switching power supply circuitry in the iPad. That circuitry would raise the line-charging voltage to that required for battery charging. It is probably present when charging from USB to but since the 2 amp wall charger provides more current the vibrations would be more evident when using the wall charger.

Jun 16, 2010 2:02 PM

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Answer 5

Jun 16, 2010 2:14 PM in response to lllaass In response to lllaass

I also experience this effect with the supplied mains charger.

It does not occur with the 10W mains charger that I also have.

I wonder if this 'problem' is related to the higher voltage here in UK?

Jun 16, 2010 2:14 PM

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Answer 6

BLamp

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Jun 16, 2010 3:46 PM in response to oddballo In response to oddballo

I just plugged my iPad into the wall charger to see if I got the same thing and I didn't. Must be either the power outlet or the iPad.

Jun 16, 2010 3:46 PM

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Answer 7

UK-Max

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Jun 17, 2010 3:56 AM in response to red555 In response to red555

How would you do that, exactly?

Jun 17, 2010 3:56 AM

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Answer 8

David M Brewer

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Jun 17, 2010 4:34 AM in response to UK-Max In response to UK-Max

It's not the voltage or wattage that shocks you it's the ampage that does. If you have this problem go to the Apple store and get a replacement power adapter.

Low voltage and high ampage will kill a person. A million volts with low ampage won't.

http://bigquestion.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/how-many-volts-of-electricity-would- it-take-to-kill-someone/

Message was edited by: David M Brewer

Jun 17, 2010 4:34 AM

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Answer 9

red555

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Jun 17, 2010 5:19 AM in response to David M Brewer In response to David M Brewer

My comment was about feeling the voltage, not killing someone.
Like a 9volt battery. You can touch both terminals with your finger and not feel it.
5 volts you have even less chance of feeling it.

Jun 17, 2010 5:19 AM

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

David M Brewer

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Jun 17, 2010 6:04 AM in response to red555 In response to red555

If you read my link a 9 volt batterie can shock a person. Put one on your tongue... If you wet your finger you can produce a sock. If a person has a pacemaker getting a sock can be... Read the link.

If the poster is feeling the current there something wrong with either the iPad is or the power adapter is... Better to be safe than sorry. By the way it is the current your feeling not the voltage.

Jun 17, 2010 6:04 AM

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Answer 12

red555

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Jun 17, 2010 7:25 AM in response to David M Brewer In response to David M Brewer

The OP didn't put the ipad in their mouth.

But thanks for the info.

Jun 17, 2010 7:25 AM

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Answer 13

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Answer 14

plarkin

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Jun 17, 2010 7:27 AM in response to red555 In response to red555

LOL @ Red!!!

Thanks, I needed that.

Jun 17, 2010 7:27 AM

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Answer 15

red555

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Jun 17, 2010 7:54 AM in response to plarkin In response to plarkin

plarkin wrote:
LOL @ Red!!!

Thanks, I needed that.

David is a good guy and the article he forwarded was helpful. Sorry David. I saw a funny there and I had to take it.
Thanks for the article.

Mike

Jun 17, 2010 7:54 AM

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Answer 16

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Answer 17

Keith119

Level 1

(4 points)

Jun 18, 2010 7:44 AM in response to oddballo In response to oddballo

I get exactly the same thing. I just received the iPad, plugged it into the mains charger (UK) to fully charge it for the first time, and felt the same thing. I wasn't sure if it felt like an electric charge or a vibration in a similar way that the iPhone. It only happened when I placed it down on a level surface. It didn't seem happen when held up above, say, a 20 degree angle from the desktop, but occurred again when placed back down.

Interestingly, in the time it took to find this topic, it seems to have stopped doing this or seems less noticable. Maybe it has charged me up!

Jun 18, 2010 7:44 AM

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Answer 18

Keith119

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(4 points)

Jun 18, 2010 8:10 AM in response to oddballo In response to oddballo

Interestingly, if left for a while and then touched whilst it is still set down (and charging) the 'vibration' comes back momentarily then disappears. A little like static but feels more like a vibration. Very odd.

Jun 18, 2010 8:10 AM

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Answer 19

David M Brewer

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Video

Jun 18, 2010 8:34 AM in response to Keith119 In response to Keith119

Could be a low humming sound. Place your ear close to the iPad and see if you hear something. Maybe all of this tingling is just the iPad being hookup to AC and it's producing a low humming sound. Maybe...maybe...maybe. If this is so we can rule out being socked. And the world is safe again.

Jun 18, 2010 8:34 AM

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Question: Q: iPad gives tingly light vibration electrocution when plugged into mains

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Question: iPad gives tingly light vibration electrocution when plugged into mains