Static electricity during USB connect

Question

Static electricity during USB connect

I've had my iPod nano since last September and used it with no problems. But twice this week while the nano was connected via USB to my computer, I touched it and felt a strong static electricity charge.

The nano -- which in one case had been in the middle of updating, and in the second case was just charging -- immediately "lost" its connection to the computer (though it was still connected by USB cable). And when I tried to reconnect it to iTunes, it indicated a corrupted file. I used the Restore function in the iPod Updater to wipe its memory and reset it, re-downloading all my songs and podcasts. Twice.

All I can guess is that the change of seasons has made it easier for me to build up a static charge, and when the iPod is connected it is grounded, and therefore more likely to receive a static charge that's on me.

Two questions:

1) Is this causing long-term damage to the iPod, or does the short-term Restore (despite the hassle) solve any problems the static discharge created?

2) Aside from trying to find grounded metal near my computer to touch before touching my iPod to remove it, any ideas on how to prevent this?

Thanks!

Posted on Apr 20, 2006 4:04 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Apr 20, 2006 4:22 PM in response to Frank Catalano

You cannot feel static at all until it is around 4000 volts.
The iPod runs on 5 volts.

Reply

Answer 2

btabz

Level 7

26,655 points

Apr 20, 2006 5:06 PM in response to Frank Catalano

1) If it continuously happens, it may eventually break your iPod. I broke the port my old mouse connected to on my computer. I "shocked" the mouse. A mouse is not as complicated internally as an iPod...

2)You have to get rid of the static electricity. If your computer's case is metal, just touch the side of the computer. That should get rid of the static electricity.

btabz

Reply

Answer 3

Apr 20, 2006 6:12 PM in response to btabz

I usually touch the case of an external Maxtor hard drive (when it's powered off) or a laptop case to discharge any static electricity buildup. Quite honestly, though, it never had been something I had to do before touching the plugged-in nano until now.

Guess I'm wondering if the nano hardware is actually protected if I touch it when it's plugged into a USB port -- since I assume it's grounded, somehow, by the USB cable -- even though it scrambles the file(s) stored on the flash memory. I just don't know enough about the nano's internal circuitry nor basic electrical theory to know one way or the other.

I also don't know if there's a chance that, even if the hardware is somehow protected, this could permanently scramble the flash memory if it happens again. That would be a Bad Thing. But this either is not a concern, or isn't common, because I searched on this discussion board and couldn't find any other reports like this (other than someone getting an earbud shock).

Reply