Is there a continuous flow of electricity passing through the screws in a PC case?
Is there a continuous flow of electricity passing through the screws in a PC case?
It seems you reside in a region with more lenient rules regarding allowed Neutral to Ground voltages.
I lack formal training as an electrician certified under the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, though I hold a degree in Electrical Engineering and Electronics.
My recent voltage checks in my home are:
Line to Neutral = 238V
Line to Ground = 238V
Neutral to Ground = 0V
Outside my house, the meter box shows the safety earth linked to a clamp on a rising gas main (metal pipe) set in concrete.
Interpreting your Hot to Ground reading at 180V suggests your ground is 50V above true earth potential (230V minus 180V = 50V).
Adding the Neutral to Ground measurement of 30V adds further complexity.
I assume this is typical in my area, where the neutral is connected directly to ground at the local substation.
Given the significant return currents returning through the Neutral cable, I expect occasional AC between Neutral and earth—usually around 5V or less. This confirms the neutral is properly earthed.
It appears in other countries it's not standard to ground the neutral at the substation, allowing it to float within safe limits.
Additionally, since you live in a flat, especially on higher floors, there may be considerable distance between the earth pin in your main outlet and an imagined copper earth rod driven into the ground outside. This creates a semi-floating earth situation.
Your earth connection could either trigger a fuse or trip a circuit breaker during serious faults, though I remain uncertain.
To be certain, I would need formal qualifications and local wiring standards reviewed.
I’d recommend consulting a qualified electrician or revisiting my studies to understand proper safety practices in my jurisdiction.
Your current setup may pose risks if it leads to overheating or equipment failure, but without official certification I can’t confirm.
It’s worth noting that some regions allow the neutral to remain ungrounded, relying on other protective devices, which is why I see occasional readings.
Visiting other countries where outlets lack earthing often results in devices operating without concern for shocks—sometimes by chance or fate.
My grandmother experienced strange sensations with her electric cooker, and my mother nearly suffered when water spilled on a hot burner. Her father rescued her by quickly removing her from the stove, revealing a cracked heating element. This incident highlights how critical proper earthing is, even if it seems risky today.
For your situation, there’s a real possibility of an unsafe system in place.
When repairing older TV sets or similar equipment, technicians sometimes found the metal casing at line potential (240V AC). I would have isolated the circuit with a transformer and grounded the chassis to a radiator for safety.
If you encounter similar conditions, consider having an electrician install an isolating transformer—especially if your building regulations are lenient or your landlord isn’t concerned about safety.
Certain areas inherently carry higher electrical hazards, making proper precautions essential.
I reside in KSA and the problem is that I checked the PSU in various locations and it behaved consistently, showing a continuous tingling through the screws. I tested it with a multimeter and the outlet gave me nearly identical readings. I am living in a rental flat and landlord here doesn’t seem to care, but they still collect rent. Our plumbing is made of PVC only, no metal. So I feel stuck with this issue, but why do I not experience it with other devices even though I have three laptops? Maybe occasional static is causing it, but not continuously like this. When I’m barefoot, I notice it more. Is this safe for the components?
You might attempt to shut down the PC, detach the mains plug from the socket, and verify the resistance between the mains cable earth pin and the case screws using your multimeter. If the reading is near zero, consider replacing the unit; otherwise, inspect the cable and PSU earth continuity individually. Those tingles can be quite bothershing, though not as severe as a bubblehead with Broco rods but still...
I completed the task and the multimeter emitted a beep. Additionally, I checked the AC voltage from the screws to ground using various connections, including wall screws and outlet screws, and measured 70 volts.
It only requires as little as 7mA to stop the heart. At 70 volts, this amount becomes easily achievable with the right circumstances. This confirms a serious risk of death exists. Remove all connections from the power source and have the landlord address the issue right away. Ignoring this is no longer acceptable.
I believed it was a PSU problem since it shouldn't be leaking voltage in that way.
i am not attempting to investigate unnecessarily; i am focused on resolving the problem. a professional was brought in who stated nothing is wrong, only a minor circuit issue, and suggested replacing the power supply unit. i examined the PSU in another location about 30 kilometers away, but it still produced the same result—this is quite frustrating for me.