Repeated small shocks from electrical equipment

[hexagonalbolts]

I have just moved into a new apartment (in Hong Kong - a place with some slightly dodgy building practices). The owner of the apartment had someone remodel the entire apartment, rebuild the walls and build a kind of ‘media centre’ area in a cupboard behind the TV.

It has a load of sockets and a ton of electronic equipment (amplifier, now my PC, router, etc. etc.). I have had what felt like static shocks a couple of times from equipment plugged in in this area such as the amplifier and now also from the PC which never had this problem in England.

I have no knowledge of electronics… Is this something to be concerned about? Is it just that all of these electronics in a confined dusty space are generating static? Or might it mean that the sockets aren’t grounded or that there is something to be concerned about here? I was nearly killed by a massive electric shock from a faulty guitar amp when I was a teenager, so I would really appreciate any help/reassurance!

 

[Deleted member 72666]

It's hard to say without being there, it could be static, what is the finished floor material made from also what footware if any are you wearing? Do you get 'shocks' from any other type of equipment?

 

[hexagonalbolts]

The floor is some kind of fake wood/laminate flooring. I am not sure what footwear I have been wearing generally, fairly sure it was just socks today.

I don't get any static shocks from any other equipment/metal in the apartment (fridge, etc.), only equipment plugged into this particular area.

What else could I check?

 

[Squid]

If you pay for my flight I can pop over to have a look?

 

[telectrix]

If you pay for my flight I can pop over to have a look?

one way flight, i'll pay it.

 

[Squid]

one way flight, i'll pay it.

I'm fine with that I'll pay the return fare,

Put your money money where your mouth is.......... ;0)

 

[telectrix]

your airplane is fuelled and ready.

 

[N6rul]

Mate without testing equipment, it will be very hard..to clarify earthing..
See if you can find a socket tester ones you can plug in to verify earthing..that will be a start...

 

[Lucien Nunes]

If you walk up to a piece of metal-cased equipment and touch it, and you get a very momentary shock that can't be repeated until you walk around for a bit, then it's probably static (you generate the static by friction with the floor, equipment doesn't generate it). If you get a steady tingle touching it, and it feels like its vibrating if you brush the back of your fingers against it, then you are probably feeling earth leakage due to faulty grounding (earthing), and there could be a hazard.

If lots of ungrounded pieces of equipment are connected together, or the ground serving all of them is disconnected, the aggregate leakage can pass through the interconnecting cables and give you quite a noticeable tingle without anything being dangerously live. However, any kind of grounding fault should be investigated. Only proper test equipment will confirm with certainty.

 

[PEG]

Hi,bearing in mind where you are,and who is in charge and listening...i would have amended the first line of your post

...We don't need another electrical "accident"...

 

[Squid]

your airplane is fuelled and ready.

View attachment 40661

Where is the "Kenco Shake" emoji ;o))))

 

[Shane Mullan]

I used to get a steady tingle with one of my plug sockets, until I replaced it and earthed it. Landlord didn't seem to care

 

[dmxtothemax]

I am quite sure that even in Hong Kong they have electricians,
Get one in to check it out, Earthing is a very complex issue and is not always an easy simple fix !