Noticed a "ribbed" feel to your mbp's aluminum?

[Caezar]

I posted a message on this forum a year back. I realized that the vibration you feel is because your body conducts electric current.

You can do an easy experiment:
- Rub your notebook barefoot. You will feel the vibration.
- Wear a pair of shoes with rubber soles and rub your notebook. You should no longer feel the vibration. That's because rubber does not let electricity pass through.

The bottom line: nothing to worry about.

 

[gr8tfly]

I posted a message on this forum a year back. I realized that the vibration you feel is because your body conducts electric current.

You can do an easy experiment:
- Rub your notebook barefoot. You will feel the vibration.
- Wear a pair of shoes with rubber soles and rub your notebook. You should no longer feel the vibration. That's because rubber does not let electricity pass through.

The bottom line: nothing to worry about.

Which also points to a grounding problem. As mentioned here (and other threads), try using the 3-prong, grounded extension. If it's still there and becomes annoying and/or uncomfortable, it might require a call to an electrician. Otherwise, as Caezar posted - "nothing to worry about".

 

[kolax]

Not true. I use the plug that has a grounder. We get a choice with Apple It's really more a matter of common sense to me.

Uh...?

I'm British so not fully aware of American style plugs, but as far as I know they are only two pins and don't offer support for an earth wire.

That was the point in my post.

 

[gr8tfly]

Uh...?

I'm British so not fully aware of American style plugs, but as far as I know they are only two pins and don't offer support for an earth wire.

That was the point in my post.

I believe grounded outlets have been a building code requirement for probably 50 years or longer, depending on the location (city/county/state).

Depending on the particular device, it might or might not have a ground (3 prong). Standard computer and electronic equipment a/c cords (the squarish female plug that goes in the back of equipment) are grounded. Many "wall-wart" a/c adapters do not (2-prong).

 

[CalBoy]

Uh...?

I'm British so not fully aware of American style plugs, but as far as I know they are only two pins and don't offer support for an earth wire.

That was the point in my post.

American outlets have had a grounder for quite some time. Most heavy appliances have a grounder (blenders, computers, etc). Perhaps it's time to break that false paradigm of yours

 

[kolax]

American outlets have had a grounder for quite some time. Most heavy appliances have a grounder (blenders, computers, etc). Perhaps it's time to break that false paradigm of yours

Thanks for the advice, I'll dump it with the rest. I already said I'm not familiar with American plugs - I was only after an explanation not an instruction.

 

[CalBoy]

Thanks for the advice, I'll dump it with the rest. I already said I'm not familiar with American plugs - I was only after an explanation not an instruction.

No need for sarcasm. Your first post was written as if you knew American outlets thoroughly. The paradigm I was refering to was the one that implies safety standards are behind in the US (though in certain ways, they still are).

 

[kolax]

No need for sarcasm. Your first post was written as if you knew American outlets thoroughly. The paradigm I was refering to was the one that implies safety standards are behind in the US (though in certain ways, they still are).

Alright, sorry. I'm still confused by the matter though (or that I've missed a direct explanation) - 2 pin U.S. plugs; do they support earthing?

 

[gr8tfly]

Alright, sorry. I'm still confused by the matter though (or that I've missed a direct explanation) - 2 pin U.S. plugs; do they support earthing?

2-prong would be "hot" and "neutral", but no earth ground.

 

[CalBoy]

Alright, sorry. I'm still confused by the matter though (or that I've missed a direct explanation) - 2 pin U.S. plugs; do they support earthing?

No, 2 pin plugs do not support grounding (what we call it in the US). Common items do not have a grounder (like my iPod wall charger), but appliances with a higher wattage will have a grounder (like a blender or leaf blower). Like you said, the MBP power brick comes with two plugs: one with a grounder, and one without. I always use the one with a grounder, because it's common sense.

 

[gr8tfly]

Another thought on the leakage current:

Sometimes, it can be reduced by reversing the plug. (turn it 180 degrees)

Grounding would still be the better solution, though.

 

[kolax]

No, 2 pin plugs do not support grounding (what we call it in the US). Common items do not have a grounder (like my iPod wall charger), but appliances with a higher wattage will have a grounder (like a blender or leaf blower). Like you said, the MBP power brick comes with two plugs: one with a grounder, and one without. I always use the one with a grounder, because it's common sense.

Sorry for being ignorant but that's where the confusion is - there is 3 pin plugs in the U.S for things like a blender? So U.S. sockets support 2 and 3 pin plugs?

 

[CalBoy]

Sorry for being ignorant but that's where the confusion is - there is 3 pin plugs in the U.S for things like a blender? So U.S. sockets support 2 and 3 pin plugs?

Yes, US outlets support both 2 and 3 pin plugs. I can plug the blender into any outlet in the house, and I can do the same with something as small as my iPod charger.

 

[gr8tfly]

Sorry for being ignorant but that's where the confusion is - there is 3 pin plugs in the U.S for things like a blender? So U.S. sockets support 2 and 3 pin plugs?

Here's a picture: NEMA 5-15 Outlet 120V/15A

The two top, rectangular, pins are compatible with any 2-prong, ungrounded, plugs. The ground pin is round, centered pin at bottom. (2 complete sockets in this example).

 

[ppc_michael]

Edit: Bah! gr8fly beat me to it.

An image to clear this American plug confusion up!

http://images.acclaimimages.com/_gallery/_SM/0001-0408-1013-2913_SM.jpg

This picture shows US power outlets with three prongs (left and right are standard, the hole at that bottom is the ground.) This also shows an appliance that is not grounded plugged in. But other appliances (computers, etc) have the third prong.

And hooray, I thought I was crazy for having the vibrations.

 

[kolax]

Ahh I understand now!

I've never been to the U.S and all the pictures I saw of appliances had only 2 pins, wasn't aware there was a 3 pin option. Is your sockets meant to look like a man screaming?

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[CalBoy]

I've never been to the U.S and all the pictures I saw of appliances had only 2 pins, wasn't aware there was a 3 pin option. Is your sockets meant to look like a man screaming?

Thanks for clearing that up.

LOL we like to think of them as bunny faces. I'm glad I could help.

 

[gr8tfly]

Ahh I understand now!

I've never been to the U.S and all the pictures I saw of appliances had only 2 pins, wasn't aware there was a 3 pin option. Is your sockets meant to look like a man screaming?

Thanks for clearing that up.

I always thought it looked surprised. Kinda like when you have your fingers touching the prongs as you plug something in. (don't ask - I was very young.)

Glad to help, too.