Common Issues/Questions
- Why does my PC shock me?
- If your mains are not grounded, there will be 3.5mA of power looking for a ground. When you touch a metal part of the PC, you become that ground. It’s perfectly safe, and normal, but you really should use a grounded outlet.
Power supplies use “Y” capacitors connected from the neutral to ground as part of their integral EMI filter. These specially rated capacitors provide a low impedance path to the ground for high frequency noise to reduce EMI.
Picture of a Y Capacitor
- If your mains are not grounded, there will be 3.5mA of power looking for a ground. When you touch a metal part of the PC, you become that ground. It’s perfectly safe, and normal, but you really should use a grounded outlet.