Grounding susggestion?

[La Faro]

When I play my bass I don't really notice, but when I rest my arm over the strings, I pick u a small shock, more of a tingle, shock is too string a word. I get through my soundcard, I'm always getting them off USBs at work when dealing with the printers. Now I have a new head (TC BQ500), I get that too.

I've just noticed the case of the head is charged, when it's not switched on, but plugged in.

In the UK, when using grounding straps, you may connect to the copper radiator pipe. In Vietnam, plumbing is all PVC. Plug sockets are two pin only. I'm also 3 floors up.

Is there something I can do, am I right thinking grounding is the issue?

 

[seamonkey]

In the US, There can be a small potential voltage between neutral and ground.
There's been some recent videos claiming "free energy" and people showing enough to light up LED or charge batteries. It's not free, there is resistance between the neutral and ground wires as they tie back together in the main panel.
It's only a small voltage/current here but's it's there.
It may be the same in your case.
In other countries there may be different standards for ground and neutrals.

Or it may be something you need and electrician and/or a meter to figure out and in the end they may tell you just to ignore it.
Or you can buy an expensive isolation transformer with isolated ground.

 

[La Faro]

I miss British plugs

 

[Jim Carr]

You need an electrician. Don't wait, ungrounded musical gear can be dangerous.

 

[La Faro]

You need an electrician. Don't wait, ungrounded musical gear can be dangerous.

What do you suggest he will use as a ground source?

 

[Jim Carr]

What do you suggest he will use as a ground source?

In the past, I have seen heavy copper braided cable run to a long heavy spike that is actually driven into the ground.

 

[La Faro]

I'm 3 floors up, and it's concrete all around. No way I can get the landlord to agree to that. He'll just blame my equipment. I mentioned in my first post, in the UK, I could use the plumbing system, but not here.

I'm trying to find a more unconventional solution.

 

[Jim Carr]

I'm 3 floors up, and it's concrete all around. No way I can get the landlord to agree to that. He'll just blame my equipment. I mentioned in my first post, in the UK, I could use the plumbing system, but not here.

I'm trying to find a more unconventional solution.

Are there lightening rods on the building?

 

[La Faro]

Good thought, I'll investigate. Looking around Neighbours do, so we must too. We're bigger

 

[abarson]

Are there lightening rods on the building?

Are you suggesting wiring the equipment ground to the same path that lightning will take? Uhhh...

 

[byacey]

Are you barefoot of concrete when you feel the tingling?

 

[Jim Carr]

Are you suggesting wiring the equipment ground to the same path that lightning will take? Uhhh...

Ha! No. It just illustrates where "ground" is found.
He still needs an electrician.

 

[La Faro]

Are you barefoot of concrete when you feel the tingling?

no

 

[La Faro]

Ha! No. It just illustrates where "ground" is found.
He still needs an electrician.

Electrician is not happening. I won't be able to sway the landlord.

 

[Jim Carr]

Electrician is not happening. I won't be able to sway the landlord.

Grounding Versus Bonding: Part 1 – Jade Learning

 

[byacey]

no

If your are feeling tingling, there must be some leakage current through you to ground in some way. I believe in your case, getting an isolation transformer is the best suggestion.

 

[La Faro]

If your are feeling tingling, there must be some leakage current through you to ground in some way. I believe in your case, getting an isolation transformer is the best suggestion.

I'm barefoot on laminate flooring, on a wooden chair, but your right, the leakage stops when I touch the bass strings if I put one flip-flop on and don't touch the flooring with the other foot.

I'll have to look into isolation transformer. Cheers

 

[RhynoRock]

Or go with a wireless
At least then YOU won't possibly get electrocuted, but your gear could.


All joking aside, I would speak with your landlord anyway. You'll never know how they'll act until you mention it, you might be surprised. Mention that there could be a present danger to his/her self they may not be aware of.

 

[Slevage]

Plug all equipment into the same circuit.

Does the tingle go away?

 

[La Faro]

I only have one circuit. But as I mentioned, I get these at work all the time from USB cables.

It's all part of living in Vietnam really, you have to work around problems than deal with them.