case - Repeated Static Shock From New Rack Server
2014-07
CollinJSimpson
I recently bought a single rack server, but I often get shocked when I touch the full-metal case. It seems to take 20-30 minutes to "charge" between shocks, but I'm not enthusiastic about testing that statistic further. It's connected to a properly grounded surge protector and no other objects touch it besides the wooden desk it lays on, which in turn stands on a tile floor. I assume the shock is static as I can safely touch the case after each shock. If I'm in relatively consistent contact with the case, no static charge builds. Only when it sits idle for an extended period of time do I experience these shocks. Put simply:
- Metal case causes regular static shocks when left untouched long enough
- Power Setup: server → surge protector → grounded wall outlet (indicated by the surge protector)
I know nothing about electricity, so can someone please explain possible sources of this static and potential fixes? Might my surge protector or house wiring be faulty, or is this an unavoidable feature, however unlikely? Thank you for reading.
Everett
Static buildup typically occurs in homes due to walking on carpets. There are spray on static treatments for carpets. Before you enter the room and touch the case, discharge the static buildup somewhere else. Screws on light switches tend to be a good place to do this.
Another way to reduce static electricity is to increase the humidity in the environment. Be careful not to exceed the manufacturers recommendations regarding humidity.
Ultimately you aren't doing any damage to anything. Discharging static on this rack before touching anything inside of it is exactly good practice. It's what I've done in every data center I've ever worked in. The reason that you don't build up a static charge while touching the rack, is because you are grounded. This is because the rack is grounded.
CoffeeBean
While arranging cables tonight to prepare to plant a new workstation, I got an electric shock from the VGA cable (that was hooked up to a seemingly good, yet older LCD monitor).
Of course, when the monitor was powered off, it didn't happen, but when we plugged it back in, I got the same jolt, and decided to trade monitors before electrifying a brand new workstation.
Does anyone know exactly what goes wrong inside an LCD monitor to cause this? I know older CRTs were shock-worthy, but I never expected it from newer technology.
CarlF
There's an electrical fault in the monitor. I hope it's under warranty.
It is NOT the signal for the picture, which is extremely low voltage and high frequency and cannot be felt. It's probably a short in the monitor which has put real voltage on a cable meant only to carry a signal. Unplug it, leave it unplugged, and either get it fixed or dispose of it.
Nothing to do with "new technology" here--the problem isn't in the technology, it's a wire making contact with the wrong part.
Don Salva
but I never expected it from newer technology.
Why not?
Somehow the signals needs to be transferred from a to b, in order to do that they need energy of some sort. Electricity is the way to go..
Wherever Electricity comes into play, there always is a chance to get shocked, however mild or severe.
In order not to be shocked, Electricity need to run into the earth, thus the technical term "to ground". If you get shocked it's mostly due to faulty grounding.
Faulty grounding results in YOU being the medium it (the electricity) needs to run into the ground (a complete circuit), thus shocking you.
Ganesh R.
The shock is due to electrical signals (from the monitor) flowing through your body. The signal is always present(when monitor is on), just that it needs the circuit to be completed. Normally when you connect it to a workstation, the circuit is completed by the workstation. But when you hold it, its you who complete the circuit & hence the shock :).