[ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any sug gest ions?

  • From: "albertm13@xxxxxxxx" <albertm13@xxxxxxxx>
  • To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:37:51 GMT

Sean,

I'm talking about a real short.  If his amp's case is somehow connected the hot 
wire and then the ground is really connected to the case as it should be then 
that will make a short circuit.  As I said before, this is what the ground is 
supposed to do; it will make the circuit unuseable until the problem's 
corrected.

Cameron,
Is your amp connected to the same outlet as everything else?

Albert

---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Sean A. Cummins" <seanacummins@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any suggest 
ions?
Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:33:11 -0700

Albert,

Normally you would connect the small ground wire to the center screw of the 
outlet, but in this case if indeed the electrical wiring isn't up to code, 
the outlet isn't grounded as well, and connecting the wire to the center 
would result in nothing.

Your saying " causing a short", isn't analogous to his situation.  A short 
is typically misnomer for a hot line that is directly connecting to the 
ground, or common.  If he has voltage traveling through a heating system, he 
would have bigger problems then a ground issue.  Though very rare that 
voltage could be flowing through piping, everyone in the building would have 
dead pets and children.

Sean

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <albertm13@xxxxxxxx>
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2009 2:51 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any 
suggest ions?


Sean's fix is good to do but it sounds like something is connected wrong and 
you'll still have the problem.  His solution may even cause a short which 
will make the circuit unuseable until it is fixed correctly.  This is 
actually what the ground is supposed to do.

Whether it is you someone else: Get a voltmeter and connect it from your 
guitar ground on the cable to the ground of an outlet and if you read 
anything more than 10V then you should get your amp fixed or at least 
checked.  Even if the meter reads 20V it might be OK but I don't want to be 
respobsilble for your death.

Albert





---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Sean A. Cummins" <seanacummins@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any 
suggest ions?
Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:43:32 -0700

Cameron,

sounds like your building is definitely not up to code.

However, you can usually resolve this problem by adding a three prong to two
prong adapter that has a wire coming off for the ground prong.

Splice at least 14 or 12 gauge wire to the wire on the adaptor using a wire
nut.

You want to make this long enough to go to the nearest copper or iron piping
like a baseboard heater or old fashion iron radiator .  You will need to
fasten the bare end of the wire to one of the pipes either by rapping the
stripped wire around the copper pipe and twisting it back on to itself, or
even an alligator clip, that can be purchased even at Radio Crap, and
clipping it to one of the heat fins of the base board.

Using the old radiator, you can even solder the end to the iron pipe, but
you need to make sure it is iron.  If it is copper, you can cause
electrolysis to cause the pipe to begin to brake-down , and eventually leak,
or worse, burst.  Remember, if it is painted, which most people have
ignorantly dun, you will need to remove a little area of paint, or just find
an area, like the valve control, that is bare iron or steel to attach the
wire.

The concept is that, all heating systems will eventually be touching earth
some where in its travels through the building.

The ultimate and safest way of grounding is to drive a rebar stake into real
earth and running the wire to this.  But not knowing how far you are from
actual earth, makes this a sketchy statement at best.

By law, the building owner should have an electrician come and evaluate your
need, he/she wont want a lawsuit over such a little matter.

Also, if you haven't already experienced this, what ever you do, don't play
your guitar and let your lips touch the mic at the same time, before you
have fixed the problem.  You will get a very painful shock when your lips
ground to the mic, because the lips have vast amount of nerve endings.
WATCH OUT!  I'm warning you, and I'm not kidding!!

Sean

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <albertm13@xxxxxxxx>
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2009 5:47 AM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any
suggest ions?


Cameron,

Is it a static electricity shock?  Do you get one short shock and then you
can hold the mic?

Albert

---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Cameron" <cameron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any
suggest ions?
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:25:31 -0400

Hi.  it happens with dynamic and condenser mics, and even when the phantom
power is off for the condensers.

plastic mic clips being used since I only have small diafram condensers at
present.

Cameron.





-----Original Message-----
From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Nick Dotson
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 4:31 PM
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any
suggest ions?


Remember static electricity with carpet?  Also, is the mic condenser with
phantom power or dynamic?  In either event is the mic mount a spider mount,
or, just one which you screw onto the boom?  It's probably plastic, but I'm
wondering if there is a grounding problem, if the mic and stand are breaking

or floating the ground?

Nick

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cameron" <cameron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 12:30 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any
suggest ions?


> Hi.  No no no, it's not just when you touch a mic.  it's when you touch
> anything metal connected to the power conditioner, like the control
> surface,
> computer, audio interface, and the conditioner itself.
>
> as soon as the mic is unplugged, everything is back to normal.
>
> Cameron.
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On
> Behalf Of D!J!X!
> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 2:02 PM
> To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any
> suggest ions?
>
> Interesting, and you get shocked everytime you touch a mic plugged into
> the
> mixer??? How about when you touch the mixer itself?
>
> D!J!X!
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On
> Behalf Of Cameron
> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 12:45 PM
> To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any
> suggest ions?
>
> carpet.
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On
> Behalf Of D!J!X!
> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 1:36 PM
> To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any
> suggest ions?
>
> Put on shoes and try it, or wait, are you on carpet?
>
> D!J!X!
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On
> Behalf Of Cameron
> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 12:32 PM
> To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any
> suggest ions?
>
> Hi.  not wearing shoes, my desk is not metal, and I am not touching the
> mics
> when I get shocked.  although, touching the mics will shcok me too if I
> do.
>
> they are all 3 prong outlets.
>
> Cameron.
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On
> Behalf Of albertm13@xxxxxxxx
> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 9:57 AM
> To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [ddots-l] Re: getting shocked by equipment in home studio, any
> suggest ions?
>
> Hi,
>
> If you have three pronged outlets you could possibly start by going to a
> hardware store and buying an outlet tester.  Sorry, I couldn't find one at
> homedepot.com.  You can read about them at
> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Receptacle_tester and
> www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/electrical/outlettest.php
> Make sure you get one that can be plugged into the outlet and not just put
> near the outlet.  You would need sighted help because they only have
> lights.
> They are not expenssive.
>
> If you have two pronged outlets then it's probably a bad piece of
> equipment
> on your end but turning the plugs around might help.  I don't know of an
> easy way for you to test for the problem without a voltmeter.
>
> If the problem isn't your house wiring then you need someone who could
> figure out what piece of your equipment is causing this problem.  Old
> pieces
> of equipment like a tube amps are notorious for causing this problem.
>
> Whenever you get shocked, electricity flows through you which means it has
> to go in one part of you and out another.  Birds on power lines don't get
> killed because they are only touching one thing.  You are touching your
> mics
> but you must be touching something else too.  That's why someone else
> recommended a rubber mat.  Using a rubber mat is only hiding the problem
> but
> the problem is still there.  Are you wearing shoes?  Perhaps your desk is
> metal and it is touching something.
>
> Albert
>
> --- Cameron wrote ---
> Hi all.  I have a problem, hopefully someone can give me some suggestions
> or
> shed some light on why this is happening.
>
> The apartment complex I'm living in now was built in the early sixties I
> believe.  The outlets are not very good, worn out, you can't plug anything
> into the top of any of them because it just falls out.  You can only plug
> things into the bottom plug.
>
> Anyways, when I was using my FW1884, I didn't notice any issues with
> anything except for noise because I am on a dirty circuit/loop being
> shared
> by all sorts of appliances and god knows what else.
>
> My current setup is now my ADK rack mount machine, Motu896 MKIII firewire
> interface, and BCF2000 control surface, which is all plugged into a power
> conditioner.
>
> I started doing some tracking with my new gear for a new job this week and
> whenever I used a mic that required phantom power, as soon as the mic was
> plugged into the interface, I would get shocked if I touched anything
> metal
> that was plugged into the conditioner, including the mic itself computer,
> control surface, interface, etc, .  It's not enough to cause damage, but
> it
> is unplesent and is enough of a jolt to make you quickly stop touching
> whatever control you're touching.
>
> This happens even when the phantom power is switched off for every channel
> on the interface.  I found out this afternoon that it also happens with
> dynamic mics too.
>
> As soon as all mics are unplugged, everything is fine.
>
> My power conditioner doesn't appear to have a ground lift switch.  Is this
> the issue?  Is there anything I can do to remedy this?  I've got 5 months
> of
> writing and recording ahead and I really don't want to be freaking shocked
> every time I touch my gear!
>
> I'm going to make this issue known to the apartment manager on Monday but
> I
> really doubt they will understand what I'm talking about, or give a damn
> for
> that matter.
>
> Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
>
> Thanks,
> Cameron.
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here!
>
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/BLSrjnsEGrEk4pskLBP4ZOsBHxT0WgIY
> T56vO82nb4RJqjhTY7eqkoksJUk/
> PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
> To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=subscribe
> If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> and in the Subject line type
> unsubscribe
> For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the immediately
> following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subjectúq or send a message, to
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and in the Subject line type faq
>
> PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
> To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> and in the Subject line type
> unsubscribe
> For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the immediately
> following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq or send a message, to
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and in the Subject line type faq
>
>
> PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
> To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=subscribe
> If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> and in the Subject line type
> unsubscribe
> For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the immediately
> following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subjectúq or send a message, to
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and in the Subject line type faq
>
> PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
> To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> and in the Subject line type
> unsubscribe
> For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the immediately
> following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq or send a message, to
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and in the Subject line type faq
>
>
> PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
> To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=subscribe
> If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> and in the Subject line type
> unsubscribe
> For other list commands such as vacation mode,
> click on the immediately following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subjectúq or
> send a message, to
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> and in the Subject line type
> faq
>
> PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
> To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> and in the Subject line type
> unsubscribe
> For other list commands such as vacation mode,
> click on the immediately following link:
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq or
> send a message, to
> ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> and in the Subject line type
> faq
>


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.107/2382 - Release Date: 09/19/09
06:03:00

PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
unsubscribe
For other list commands such as vacation mode,
click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq or
send a message, to
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
faq

PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
unsubscribe
For other list commands such as vacation mode,
click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq or
send a message, to
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
faq

____________________________________________________________
Find custom shirts that suit you to a "t"! Click now!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/BLSrjnsIyUjbdL829LVWNkrzHSYEKRkU2I4JDWg7pX3IrneAvVRr6x99Ukw/
PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=subscribe
If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
unsubscribe
For other list commands such as vacation mode,
click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subjectúq or
send a message, to
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
faq

PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
unsubscribe
For other list commands such as vacation mode,
click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq or
send a message, to
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
faq

____________________________________________________________
Click now and choose from a selection of top performing bonds!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/BLSrjnsHRQFySkfKcmHPYHdPYbJl1U7jQPdpz8BZ1he9ic2bXKDNFvtz3AM/
PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=subscribe
If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
unsubscribe
For other list commands such as vacation mode,
click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subjectúq or
send a message, to
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
faq

PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
unsubscribe
For other list commands such as vacation mode, 
click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq or
send a message, to 
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
faq

____________________________________________________________
Free AT&T Cell Phones
Shop now & save on the hottest Free AT&T phones today!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/c?cp=reSzvo-xbxAV4Cgjwes-oAAAJz3Iy4jWqKW_0xaDQZPoOxMbAAQAAAAFAAAAAJqZmT0AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFIQJAAAAAA==
PLEASE READ THIS FOOTER AT LEAST ONCE!
To leave the list, click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
unsubscribe
For other list commands such as vacation mode,
click on the immediately following link:
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subjectúq or
send a message, to
ddots-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
and in the Subject line type
faq

Other related posts: