MacBook Pro discharging electricity (I'm getting shocked)

If your still using the computer, then it's not a "electric shock" in the sense of electrocution, because you would refuse to use the device any longer, beleive me.

What likely is happening is "static electricity" which you are building up yourself wearing sweaters, shuffling sock covered feet across a carpet and other ways to build up a static charge, which by touching the case of the MacBook Pro (which is metal and conducts electricity well) and thus discharging the static in a rapid manner, causing a slight painful shock.

So your goal should be to identify how your building a static charge on your person and how to counteract it, because any metal you touch is also going to cause the painful shock.

allencraig wrote:

It's NOT static electricity. I know what static electricity is. It is a buildup of electrostatic charge that when released is in one brief moment. My problem is a constant release of electricity along the entire edge of the base, specifically when the laptop is plugged in (charging or fully charged.) When it is not plugged in, there is no release of electricity.

Take it to Apple, as you already know that it is not a natural phenomena (static) it must be unnatural.

One interesting question/observation on a similar topic posted earlier: " Is your electric outlet properly grounded?"

AC to DC conversion takes place in the Magsafe supply and is grounded at that point. From there on in it is multiple sense/data lines and low voltage DC. , AC (at low level) 'tingles', DC does not, my guess is that the MagSafe has an issue, still suggest taking it to Apple.

Or the OP could go to RadioShack (or local equivalent), buy a cheap AC/DC multimeter and see what voltage is developed by putting one electrode on the Mac and the other on himself, if it's more than 1.707VAC then I would take it to Apple.

I heartily agree you should take it to Apple.

Only if the problem is not reproducible there with the three-prong cord, use the "duck head" two-prong adapter (which is not grounded) and consider making sure your frequent-use wall outlet has a good ground.

Cables give out, but before they give out they can develop conductivity between positive & return lines (usually by kinking)

If there is no sign of heating on the cable (especially around the junction with the connector) then it is probably (note the disclaimer) fine. One not uncommon cause of a tingle or 2 is unstable line frequency and that may be plausible in Colombia, if you can obtain another magsafe to test with you should but Apple can quickly tell whether your existing one is OK.

In the meantime I think you are safe using it, just don't stand in a bucket of water 🙂

allencraig wrote:

It's NOT static electricity. I know what static electricity is. It is a buildup of electrostatic charge that when released is in one brief moment. My problem is a constant release of electricity along the entire edge of the base, specifically when the laptop is plugged in (charging or fully charged.)

Interesting issue.

Sometimes I've the same surface leakage effect on my 2011 MBPro even if the charger is not connected.

Using a voltage meter I found 1.8 - 2.4 mV between me and the Mac's surface right now.

Maybe a induction from the wireless or something else.

Lupunus

1.8 to 2.5mv is low, no harm will result, almost certainly caused by differing voltages on the send & return, I wouldn't worry about that, you may stand in a bucket of water if you like 🙂

Csound1 wrote:

I wouldn't worry about that,

I'm really not worried about 2.5 mV. It was just a interesting value.

I noticed the feeling in the fingertips a few weeks ago and reading the post here today I just thought "why not take a measurement"? 🙂

Human skin (especially the back of the hand and behind the ear) can be extremely sensitive to small voltages but there is rarely any real danger, either to the human or the device. If you put a probe on your hand and the other probe on just about anything that is grounded a small voltage (1mv or less) is easy to see, no batteries required.

I'm standing in a bucket of water now and running my fingers over the exposed wires in my circuit panel and nothing is happening.

Perhaps if my jealous spouse douses me with a water hose?

Please advise.....oh...AH!! OUCH...never mind....

....wow, I didn't know my fingers can get burned black like that and I think my heart stopped beating....

...there is this bright light in my head...and my bones feel like they were microwaved....

...help... 😝

ds store wrote:

I'm standing in a bucket of water now and running my fingers over the exposed wires in my circuit panel and nothing is happening.

Perhaps if my jealous spouse douses me with a water hose?

Please advise.....oh...AH!! OUCH...never mind....

....wow, I didn't know my fingers can get burned black like that and I think my heart stopped beating....

...there is this bright light in my head...and my bones feel like they were microwaved....

...help... 😝

Can you do that again, didn't have any film in my camera the first time 🙂