Hello there
I got my new Mac mini about two days ago, and if I ever touch the case or rub my finger along it, I can feel an electrical current going through the whole thing, this also affects my Apple wired keyboard just above the arrow keys. Anyone else experiencing this? I live in the UK, so we use 3 pin plugs here, so all things are earthed.
Is this normal?
Thanks guys.
Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)
First I would try plugging into a different wall outlet. If the problem persists, I suggest you take the Mini back to the Apple store and have them look at it.
First I would try plugging into a different wall outlet. If the problem persists, I suggest you take the Mini back to the Apple store and have them look at it.
Yeah I tried last night, I've figured out it only does the static electric feeling when the HDMI cable is plugged in, when I take it out of the Mac, it is completely fine even when it's still plugged into the mains power, Very strange.
Maybe more faults with the Graphics card that was first thought of?
Anyway thanks 🙂
What is at the other end of the HDMI cable, and in to what outlet is that device plugged in? Have you tried changing that outlet?
JustinL87 wrote:
I live in the UK, so we use 3 pin plugs here, so all things are earthed.
The mini isn't earthed. It may have a 3 pin plughead at the wall but the power lead goes to a 2 pin figure of eight connector at the mini.
Do you have a Mac mini yourself Michael? Are you experiencing the same thing?
The problem now exists even with the hdmi cable unplugged now, so i have no idea what's going on.
Cheers, justin
We too have three prong outlets in North America - different geometry and different voltage. We have two straight prongs one round one. One of the two slots in every outlet is electrically identical to the ground outlet. It too is a ground. See this:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/question110.htm
I do not know how the 240v outlets in the UK are wired. But I am betting one of the two prongs is grounded. So your Mini is grounded.
Yes, I do and no, I'm not.
As it's so new it wouldn't do any harm to take it back to where you got it to see what they say.
Hi Justin, i do too, even i unplug the HDMI. really bothering me, i just own it 2 days ago.
The mini isn't earthed. It may have a 3 pin plughead at the wall but the power lead goes to a 2 pin figure of eight connector at the mini.
I do have the exact same problem.
Unfortunately, in my case, it is so bad I cannot use the HDMI cable.
Justin - I was wondering if you could share your solution to the problem.
TNX.
you need to check your installation by a technician, you may not have installed the earth even if you have three pins in the socket
Same problem as well. Any positive solution yet?
you need to check your installation by a technician, you may not have the earth installed even if you have three pins in the socket
have you done it?
Thanks vaserra.
Do you mean that the wall socket may not have an earth?
I have other items connected - printer, monitor, light etc., but none feel 'live'
JustinL87 wrote:
Hello there
I live in the UK, so we use 3 pin plugs here, so all things are earthed.
The U.S. and U.K. versions of the Mac mini use the same 120/240 Volt switching power supply and both are "earthed", or as we say on this side of the pond "grounded". However, if you are sensing a flow of electricity from the chassis of your Man mini it is possible that a bare connector somewhere inside is leaking to the chassis. This would, of course, be on the low volltage side of the power supply. (If it were on the line side you would feel a LOT more than a tingle.) In any case this is not normal and you should get your mini in to Apple for repair or replacement immediately.
Electric current feeling on Mac Mini 2012 case
