Thinkpads Forum

Hello everyone,

Since a while i'm getting small electric shocks when I'm typing on my keyboard from the fingerprint reader. Also touching the USB or any other metal gives me little electric shocks..

Is there anybody who could tell me what could be wrong?

Thank you

No idea yet, but
1) start by swapping out the power supply.
2) Did you put in a knock-off battery? If so, remove/swap.
3) Check if the keyboard cable might be shorting against the chassis (put Kapton/Scotch tape on both cable sides, if unsure)

I would guess that the outlet you have plugged into is not properly wired, or, the AC adapter is defective. You might be able to solve the problem by doing the following:

- Test the outlet to see if it is properly grounded. This can be done sometimes by using a "power outlet (or receptacle) test plug". Not sure if there is one designed for Dutch outlets but there may be. You could also call in a certified electrician to examine the wiring.
- Try reversing the power plug; i.e. rotate it 180 degrees. Either at the wall, or at the AC adapter. This will swap the hot/line/power and neutral lines.
- Try another AC adapter; it could be defective
- Isolate yourself from any metal that is in contact with your body. This could mean switching out a metal chair with a wooden one.

I found that if I plug out the adapter I dont get any shocks so im suspecting the wiring to be not totally good here.
Thanks for the replies!

Socket tester for Mainland Europe: http://www.groundology.co.uk/earthing/socket-tester-eu
Socket tester for UK/Ireland: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/mains-socket-tester-wd53h
Socket tester for USA: https://www.amazon.com/Amprobe-ST-102B- ... B008E07HM2

The US-originated Thinkpad adapters that I have (and travel with) are 2-prong; they aren't grounded at the outlet. The big bonus is hugely decreased weight and volume for the AC cord. With less weight and size, the cord is 3x longer. Some people really want the 3-prong version;
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-P ... d-p/770127

The 170W adapters I use with the dock were bought in the Netherlands and have the earthed connection.

On the shocks; It's becoming winter again, which means cold air is heated up for inside use, and indoor humidity decreases. This makes it easier for yourself to be 'charged' and hence the shocks when you touch something metal. I have the same issue; if I touch a metal part of my desk, the water tap, a metal door knob, a metal kitchen appliance; shock, shock, shock. It's one of the reasons I hate low humidity. When humidity picks up again, these problems disappear. The amount you get 'charged' really also depends on what clothes you wear, what floor you have, what seat you sit on, how much you move, etc. Also how much ventilation you have, what air humidity is inside and outside, etc. Having a humidifier also works, but that costs energy. I've searched a bit on those, but the worst period is over before I buy anything..

When in Europe, I get shocks from my machines IF using power bricks with 2-prong inputs. With 3-prong (triangular) input on the power brick I do not get shocks. Also, I do not get static when I talk on my land line and touch the computer.