Questions tagged [ground]

For questions about grounding home computers or networking equipment. Grounds are used to establish a common zero-voltage reference for electric devices in order to prevent potentially dangerous voltages from arising between them and other objects. Questions about grounding equipment other than home computers or networking equipment are off topic and should be asked at Electrical Engineering Q&A.

Grounding (also called "earthing") is a connection between an electrical conductor and the Earth. Grounds are used to establish a common zero-voltage reference for electric devices in order to prevent potentially dangerous voltages from arising between them and other objects. Connections to ground limit the build-up of static electricity when repairing electronic devices.

37 questions
60
votes
8 answers

How to properly use an antistatic wrist strap when working on a desktop PC?

I would like to know how to properly use an antistatic wrist strap. By antistatic wrist strap I mean a band with a wire attached to it, with a metal clip on the end of the wire. From what I read about them they really do help prevent harmful static…
21
votes
5 answers

Earthing: Is it important for laptops

I live in a hostel where there is no grounded/earthed connection. Will it harm my laptop or charger?
Pavan
  • 211
13
votes
2 answers

Is it true that PC power supply screws are 'connected' to earthing/grounding pin of the power supply?

I was watching a YouTube video (I've provided link in the comments) where the user claims that sometimes when we don't have earthing done in our homes or you are using two pin plug in the socket, the PC cabinet gives you mild shock. He said it's not…
Vikas
  • 744
12
votes
3 answers

Using anti-static wrist strap to ground against laptop

I want to do laptop maintenance and looking to ground myself with an anti-static wrist strap. How, or where, do I ground myself to the laptop? Where can I find a grounding point in order to not make a mistake and spoil something?
Boris_yo
  • 5,994
8
votes
1 answer

How to get rid of the buzz in computer speakers?

My computer speakers have started to emit a buzz, which "behaves" as following: It is loud when I power the speakers on, and then it fades quickly to a much lower volume level and remains constant and little audible thereafter. It is independent of…
Apostolos
  • 199
6
votes
1 answer

Front USB Port Grounding Issues

I think I have a static electricity problem. I have two computers in my house and a fiancé that wears fuzzy socks. Sometimes, when she plugs in USB devices into the front ports of her desktop computer (or my computer), the computer will instantly…
4
votes
2 answers

Would any grounding be necessary through the motherboard standoffs in a wooden PC case?

I've built quite a few PCs over the years but always using premade cases. I now have a laser engraver and am interested in making a custom case out of wood. When I started in computers, back when we powered them with a dinosaur on a hamster wheel,…
Nicholas
  • 221
3
votes
1 answer

How do I (electrically) ground a Toshiba Satellite S55 laptop?

I need to ground my Toshiba laptop as it says in the title. It is not a static charge problem because I live in the tropics. It also only happens when I plug in the laptop (the metal case becomes charged). I can ignore the occasional 'zaps' but I am…
Jaja
  • 31
3
votes
4 answers

Laptops without ground loop noise

I use my laptop with an external/Pro sound card. The biggest problem I have is that of ground loop/hum/noise when the laptop is plugged in. I don't want to 'lift the earth' fix as this is pretty dangerous. What I would like to know is what laptop…
a1o1
  • 31
3
votes
2 answers

Sparks when plugging HDMI

I have Philips 42PFL6877K/12 tv. I recently built a pc and i want to connect it to my tv. But there's a problem. I have grounding issues. My tv doesn't have earth pin so it's not grounded. When i try to plug in hdmi cable it gives me little shock…
Mertcan Özdemir
3
votes
1 answer

Recommended Ground while testing Laptop with Multimeter?

I'm about to test my laptop motherboard to make sure a component is receiving power. All guides point out I need to connect my multimeter to a proper electrical ground. How do I locate such a ground?
Merudo
  • 133
1
vote
1 answer

How to discharge static electricity

I'm building a new PC. I never cared about grounding myself because I've never had problems, but this time I don't want to take any risks. This is a new PC that doesn't have a power supply installed yet. Is it sufficient to touch the case without…
Jesse
  • 123
1
vote
4 answers

What Can I Do With US Laptop's Power Plug's Ground Pin?

DELL Latitude E6420 that i have got in USA has this plug: While i have these 2 UK adapters: Usually neutral and live fit, but ground pin creates here a problem as the plug won't fit into israeli sockets here. UPDATE: Since i also need traveler's…
Boris_yo
  • 5,994
1
vote
2 answers

Which part of laptop is better to use for discharging static?

I don't like when static zaps me from keyboard or mouse or some random metallic part of casing, so I often touch some grounding before resuming working with the computer. However, it often disrupts it's function: if I discharge into outer ground in…
Vi.
  • 17,755
1
vote
0 answers

Mesh Network - Multiple APs - Indoor IT Equipment (Conesole, Switch, etc.) to Outdoor Pole Mounted APs

I came across the same questioned asked (Posted below): "Initial plan would be to just connect it like so: INDOORS | OUTDOORS [ Switch ] -----[SP1]------------ cat6 w/ PoE-------------------[SP2]--[ Access Point ] | However, they don't specify what…
1
2 3