macbook pro electric shocks

"Apple laptops are supposed to be double insulated . This means there is no need for an earthing outlet."

The only person who has made this nonsensical claim is you. The only time that the term "double-insulated" is used is for electrical power tools, and indicates that the casework is insulated, and does not conduct electricity.

There have been several discussions on Apple's forums that have included one poster who has no grasp of the fundamentals, and had no desire to accept a solution. In this discussion, that person would be you.

I have a Mac book pro 17 inch and it zaps me every day, It doesn't hurt and has done so for the past 3 years, but it is annoying and I was looking on here to see if it was an issue with the Mac book or with me?

Any advice before I ask the store?

Thanks

I am having the same issues with my MacBook Pro Retina that I purchased in March 2013. Apple will not do anything because they say they cannot reproduce it but I have had electric shocks for over a year. There is something definitely wrong, especially with so many other people experiencing the same problem.

I have noticed the shock a few times and thought like others have that it was the edge. However after trying barefoot on tiles to put my arm on, I received multiple shocks and a continuous buzzing...but when I put my feet on a wooden table, nothing! I tried this multiple times with the same result. This does concern me though...

I'm having the same issue. It doesn't feel like a shock, necessarily, but a slight buzzing vibration when I have my mid-2012 13" Macbook Pro plugged in with the travel connector. I only feel it on the palm of my left hand while I'm typing. It seems like it's only on the left side on the panel next to the mouse pad. Why has Apple not done anything about this?

Sion80 wrote:

Why has Apple not done anything about this?

It would be an issue with the individual device or otherwise with the power outlets within your home. As it does not seem to be a generalized problem I would suggest having your phone assessed at your nearest Apple Store or Apple Authorized repairer. Take along your charger as well for assessment.

Cheers

Pete

When many, many people have reported the same floating voltage on their cases in 5 pages of posts, it looks like a general problem with many years and models.

I got on this thread because my mbp shocks me too! As an electrician, my outlets are wired properly and I suspect Sion80's are too.

Since the 3 wire (truly) grounded plug will not allow a floating voltage on the case (it just bleeds that floating voltage to ground constantly), that proves that the case should be grounded and it is not with a 2 wire plug.

This is poor electrical design on apple's part...that's why UL labs forced power tool manufacturers to make 3 wire plugs and then finally double insulated tools!

The reason that running on batteries doesn't shock people (unless they have it connected to another device) is that any floating voltage NOT referenced to ground (or the power mains in your house) does not have a return path for that voltage, thus no shock. (note: Surprisingly it has nothing to do with the fact that the battery is 19.5 volts and the power mains are 120 volts). If you plug another device in, it is connected to the power mains, thus the return path is created and a shock can/will occur. If that device is grounded and supplies ground to the laptop running on battery, then that ground is like a 3 wire plug, all floating voltage is constantly being bled off to ground through the connected device.

I prefer a 2 wire plug charger to that ridiculously oversized and overly stiff power cord!

What are we to do? Well if apple had designed this properly we wouldn't have to do anything, however...This could solve our problems: Drill a hole in your nice pristine scratchless case, run a screw in it and connect a ground wire to the 3rd hole in the wall outlet which is ground. It will always be bleeding the floating voltage and certainly there will be no more shocks!

I know of no one with this issue. Certainly not seeing it on any of the Macs here.

Good Luck

Pete

I found this topic when I searched because I too get a shock from my macbook. I thought the case was sharp where my bar arm touched the case - but it's a shock. Nobody here seems to have actually carried out a test, but I got the toolbox out and the case has an average of around 50V AC on it. It isn't static - shorting it to ground is pointless, as removing the short sees the voltage present again. Mine actually fluctuates - the 50V average can be as low as 30V, but sometimes up to over 100V. There's not appreciable current - the meter hardly tickled on it's lowest uA scale, so not a danger, but continually present using the 3 pin adaptor direct to the 13A outlet. It's not dangerous but mild annoying.

Your responses are no better, the fact so many get the same problem IS a cause for concern.

I do not expect to receive shocks from my MacBook Pro and neither should any other customers, especially ones who allow their children to use them.

There is no safety warning and as mentioned by an electrician, the product would be recalled if it was any other electrical appliance for the home.

If you have nothing useful to offer, please refrain from offering anything. The fact you are level 5 and seem to advocate a product to people who are having a clear and identifiable problem, leads me to wonder if you are only here to fight fires for Apple.

And where is the official Apple comment on this, somewhere in the ether I assume!

Feedback

I am wearing rubber slippers on marble stone floor and it still gives me constant shock, so that is not the solution from what I gather...

The problem does exist and it is because when the removable 13A plug-in country adapter A1556 part is used and

is connected to the Magsafe 2 power adapter, the Macbook is not earthed when plugged into a socket and connected to the mains supply.

If the long cable is used instead, when it is plugged into to the Magsafe 2 power adapter, it is earthed and therefore does not cause the tingling/ shock sensation, on the Macbook, when it is plugged into a socket.

I got my Macbook yesterday and was puzzled by the shocks but soon realised why. The 13A plug in country adaptor A1556 clearly needs to be modified to allow earth continuity to stop this problem occuring.

Hi Pete,

We're talking about MacBook Pro's here, not phones. And the issue is relatively widespread - I have had it too, for quite some time... so it IS an issue.

Well, Pete, read these posts, and you will see it is a wider issue. I find it more than just annoying - occasionally it's strong enough to be a pinprick or feels like a splinter. Or, to mirror what others have said, it feels like a sharp edge or a burr on the metal of the case... I have a skin on my computer, so my arms/hands touch in just one small place (the bare edge of the case), which may mean a more concentrated current. I'd suggest testing a wider variety of devices, under various circumstances.