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I've just assemble a new pc for a customer and initially i tested it at my home and monitor it for one day, i dun feel any static when i touch the case but today when i send it over, after setting up and power on the system. I left the case open, next when i try to closed it i can feel static and even after the case are closed, i can feel static and so are the customer, only after we turn off the switch from the extension then we dun feel it.

Btw the customer place the cable modem (motorla) on top of the casing and the case is place on the desk just beside the lcd monitor, lastly that area is quite an old place, i suspect it could be due to the wiring over the building, the extension plug are old or maybe something or cable is touching the case which lead to the static though i did place spacer between the tray of the case and mobo

Hmm how do i remedy the problem and find out the culprit behind it?

It sounds to me like the case isn't grounded properly. There needs to be a 3 wire outlet for the power supply to plug into. If they are using one of those adapters to plug the 3 wire cord into the wall, or if they cut off the ground pin, then that is the problem.

You may need to have an electrician look at the wiring to see what can be done to provide a ground. Chris.

of if you can go down to a hardware store and pick up a little tool that will test the outlet for you. it plugs right into the outlet. it will tell you if it is ground right and the polarity is right as well. it should be only a few bucks for it. that will tell you right then and there if you need a electrician to come down and fix there wiring in the house. it would save them some cash if money is tight. beside it does come in handy as well. it has 3 lights on top and has 3 prongs on it to plug in. just ask for a outlet tester. any hardware personnel should know what that is.

Mr. Chris wrote:It sounds to me like the case isn't grounded properly. There needs to be a 3 wire outlet for the power supply to plug into. If they are using one of those adapters to plug the 3 wire cord into the wall, or if they cut off the ground pin, then that is the problem.

You may need to have an electrician look at the wiring to see what can be done to provide a ground. Chris.

I've plug the power supply 3 wire cord to these extension as well as the monitor power supply as well as the 2 pins plug of the power supply of the cable modem (note two pin to a mutli plug then to the extension) all sharing the extension plug


Are you saying if i plug the 3 pins pc power supply cord directly to the wall socket instead of using extension, it would be grounded?

Now that you gave a more complete description of how this is all plugged in, I suspect there is either no ground connected at the outlet, or the "Hot" and "Neutral" wires are reversed at the outlet. If you can find the outlet tester that Scavy mentioned get it and test the outlet. It will tell you if the outlet is o.k. Chris.

Mr. Chris wrote:Now that you gave a more complete description of how this is all plugged in, I suspect there is either no ground connected at the outlet, or the "Hot" and "Neutral" wires are reversed at the outlet. If you can find the outlet tester that Scavy mentioned get it and test the outlet. It will tell you if the outlet is o.k. Chris.

Ok....before i follow scavy method, could i verify with u the proper way of grounding, is it to plug the pc power supply of the 3 pin cord directly to the wall socket? Hot and neutral wires are reversed?? Hmm how would a hot and neutral wires be reversed?

If the outlet is a 3 wire outlet, and the plug strip has 3 wires, the PC should be grounded. Unless there is no ground wire attached to the outlet inside the wall. The Hot and Neutral can get reversed if someone who is not an electrician decides to replace an old 2 wire outlet with a new 3 wire outlet so they can plug stuff in to without an adapter. Chris.

well what i am saying is from my own experience , since i live in a old arse house, built in 1871!!! so yeah i know what i mean when i say dont trust whats there even though it maybe working but when it comes down to pc hardware it is more sensitive then most. i have had to go threw and redo just about all of the so called updated wiring in my house, since the person that had had no clue what they were doing.

the device i describe to you is a very useful piece to have around. i found outlets that were backwards and they all had no ground wire attach to them. the only thing i couldnt do was the upstairs since i am not gonna go threw that head ache of trying to pull romax cable threw the house floor/walls to redo those up stairs. not a fun job to do. even getting a surge protector will not get you a ground to give your pc what it needs.

since if the outlet it is getting pulled into is not connected to anything it wont matter then. that is why i mention that tool. it will make sure all is well in the wiring of that outlet you want to use or any other outlet you want to try out. then after that make what ever that need to be done if any to be fix.

of if you can and if you can run a #8 fine copper cable from your pc to a copper water pipe or the house main fuse/circuit breaker box and make a good connection between the 2. that will give you the best ground ever. well that is if the house box is grounded in the 1st place

cause i have such a wire that i got out of a car stereo wiring kit. and use the #8 wire and ran it down into the basement . threw my floor i drill a hole threw and i use that for my wrist strap for my ESD wrist strap i sue when i do stuff to the inside of my pc or anyone else pc i work on.

its much safr that way and i wont be the cause of killing there system since i cant afford to fix there stuff since they brought it to me to fix it.