Level 1

10 points

Is my macbook unibody discharging electricity?

When i run my fingers on the body of macbook pro i feel slight vibrations (tingling sensation). This only happens when its plugged in and charging. I have tried using both two pin and three pin sockets and I can feel vibrations. Sometimes if I am lay on my bed while using macbook and if my leg touches the floor I can feel the the same tingling sensation on my toe if I rub it on floor (meaning the electricity is passing my body to ground). Is my macbook discharging electricity? Is this normal?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), Bootcamp Partition with Windows 8

Posted on Aug 31, 2013 3:40 PM

28 replies

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Aug 31, 2013 4:44 PM in response to John Galt

I'm well aware of power supply design, John. The transformers may or may not consist of laminates, and the laminates can vibrate if not well constructed. Granted, if they use toroids they would not likely vibrate.

In any case vibrations and electrical charges should not be felt by the user. There's definitely an issue that is not normal.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Aug 31, 2013 4:52 PM in response to Kappy

The Op should check, if the issue is with the house wiring there are far more dangerous things in the house than the Mac

John Galt

Level 10

155,480 points

Aug 31, 2013 4:54 PM in response to Csound1

Csound1 wrote:

The Op should check, if the issue with house wiring there are far more dangerous things in the house than the Mac

Agreed. Such problems often don't make themselves known until the house burns down.

John Galt

Level 10

155,480 points

Aug 31, 2013 5:04 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy wrote:

I'm well aware of power supply design, John.

I seriously doubt it. Nearly all Macs use switch-mode power supplies. There is no power transformer in the MacBook's charging adapter and no laminations to vibrate.

TechApple Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 31, 2013 5:13 PM in response to John Galt

I just had a chat with apple support and they said it might be problem with grounding. they asked me to take the book to the store and get it checked. lucky i am still under warranty. I dont think i have grounding issues in the house, all other appliances are working without any problem and i have had no issues. its on my macbook.

Aug 31, 2013 5:32 PM in response to TechApple

Kappy is right in essence,... both in whole and mostly in part.

I experienced the same thing and got shocked in Russia with my macbook. A vibrating shock, you could feel the voltage cycles "lighting" you up. Nice and unpleasant, not to be tolerated and not to be considered normal, unless you deem being shocked 'normal'. Normal doesn't = desirable or S.O.P.

The best charger design in the world isnt a barrier to bad input, only a pass filter of volts and amps.

Millions and millions of dollars have been spent on research and equipment for Radio (ham radio and commercial radio) lighting arrestor equipment.

The best equipment on earth money can buy,....if you get a strike, its all toast and destroyed.

Point being, dont put blind faith in a non-counterfeit perfectly working charger, especially if youre getting shocked. 😐

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Aug 31, 2013 7:01 PM in response to TechApple

Good luck.

Nov 6, 2013 6:28 PM in response to TechApple

I am experiencing this in the Philippines while here visiting. I am worried a bit that I will have a problem of some kind. Not much I can do really. I should never have bought aftermarket A/C adapters. They seem fine in the States. But here, I am wondering if it adds to the lack of safety from not being grounded.

Nov 6, 2013 6:43 PM in response to TechApple

If you happen to have a battery backup (UPS) they usually have a ground fault light which will tell you if you have a miswired outlet(s). I know I have an outlet that is and I had this very problem you're describing.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Nov 7, 2013 10:13 AM in response to el.jeffe58

el.jeffe58 wrote:

I am experiencing this in the Philippines while here visiting. I am worried a bit that I will have a problem of some kind. Not much I can do really. I should never have bought aftermarket A/C adapters.

Correct, there have already been cases of death and injury caused by 3rd party adaptors that would not have happened if genuine Apple adaptors were in use. Damage to the equipment is incidental.

Nov 10, 2013 7:09 AM in response to Csound1

That's a big YIKES Csound. 😮 Thank you for the warning.

mmwr

Level 1

0 points

Jun 14, 2014 1:00 PM in response to TechApple

@TechApple Curious how things turned out. Did they determine it was a problem with your Macbook?

Mine is doing the same thing. I'm on vacation and don't have the three prong adapter with me to try that out.

TechApple Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 14, 2014 10:06 PM in response to mmwr

Hi mmwr

I took the laptop to the store and it was determined that the adapter I was using was not working properly leaving the ground prong dis-connected. Due to this there were grounding issue. I changed the adapter and there is no discharge at the moment. If you are using laptop in another country, most likely you are using adapter which might be the problem. Also since you do not have the three pin plug the ground circuit is not complete and that might be the cause. Saying that there are can be other reasons for discharge such as faulty circuit etc. Best thing is take it to local apple store and get it checked. If not possible try not to use it until you return home. And if you really need to use it then for safety do not use it while charging. Charge it completely then disconnect and use it on battery - that way you are not connected to electricity while using the laptop.

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Is my macbook unibody discharging electricity?