Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Static Shock?

I spent this weekend fine tuning my setup. In doing so I reached behind my EP350 and got zapped, (sub was playing). Granted its the typical minor static shock but it still caused some concern. So being the brave/foolish person that I am I reached back there again a little later to find the same surprise.
So I figure there could be many explainations:
1. The pants and chair that I sit in and the way I sit give me some type of charge and me touching the phase switch on the EP350 grounded me.
2. Its a no-no to touch the EP350 when operating and I didn't know this.
3. Something is wrong.
4. This is typical and there is no need to be concerned.

My guess is its #1 but has anyone else had any problems with this kind of thing?

I would go with #4 , if the air is very dry where you are, you will notice more static electricity. During the winter here when the air is cool and dry, I can't touch anything without getting zapped.

John, I get this all the time. I guess my carpet is super conductive. Before I press the power button on the front of my receiver, I touch one of the metal posts on my AV stand. Done it so often I hardly think about it anymore.

Yup, 4 and 1. It's been rather dry out here for the last week or so (for a change) and there's been a lot of zapping. You'd know it if that was line voltage... It hurts a hell of a lot more.

Folks, let's not be too quick to dismiss his situation!!!! There could be an electrical problem which could lead to a serious electrical shock!!!!!

What he is describing could be a loose ground wire or a faulty circuit of some sort.

Do you have a voltmeter of some kind that you could measure the voltage from wherever you touched that shocked you to back of your audio receiver? If you don't maybe you could borrow one and make a few tests.

Better safe than sorry. I hope it is just static electricity, but you really should do some further checking.

The Rat brings up a good point, particularly if that is the only place you have received a shock.

Easy way to tell... try holding onto the switch... if it's a little "pop" and then nothing... congratulations, you just moved some electrons to the EP500. If you get that shock sensation as you hold it, that'd be a good indicator of something else.

I can't get out of my car and touch the door to close it without getting shocked usually.

Less polyester in the pants, and quit sitting on the nylon rug?

Bren R.
p.s. if you have any concerns this MIGHT be mains voltage, I wouldn't attempt it.

True about what is said above; depending on the nature of the shock it could be static buildup, or an electrical wiring/malfuction issue.

Only reason I really wanted to reply in this post was because of my AVR-I love the thing, and when I bought it I was really looking forware to the build quality (all metal; no plastic), especially the brushed aluminum front face. It does look sweet and sounds equally as good; however in the winter time I come to curse it because everytime I reach for the volume control "ZZZzzzzzzzaaaaapPpppPPPP!!!!!" because of the dry air and my carpet....

-Alan

In reply to:

---

everytime I reach for the volume control "ZZZzzzzzzzaaaaapPpppPPPP!!!!!" because of the dry air and my carpet....

---

A humidifier is your best bet here, but spraying a little fabric softener on the carpet helps enormously as well.

COOL! Thanks for the tips! I never thought of either. Its amazing how the "little things" can be so easily overlooked...

-Alan