Ron Schenone

Dell Says Electrical Tingle Sensation Is Normal

Posted by on Jan 18, 2008 | 11 Comments

It has been reported that some of the newer Dell laptop systems, especially those with alumium case enclosures, have been giving users a tingling sensation when the unit is touched. This becomes apparent according to some when a device is connected to the unit. In a statement from Dell support they have confirmed that this tingling sensation is normal and make some recommendations on how to avoid it. On their site they state:

A tingling sensation may be noticed when connecting devices to Dell notebook computers or printers and touching exposed metal parts of the devices being connected or the parent device. This tingling sensation can occur any time the AC adapter is connected and the user touches any exposed metal surface on the computer, the printer, the PDA, etc. This may lead to the conclusion that the device is unsafe. The electric current on all Dell products have been measured and proven to be well within the safety limits per safety standards – IEC950, EN60950, UL1950, etc., even with an input voltage of 240 Volts. The voltage (tingling sensation) does NOT present any risk of injury to the user. It is recommended to unplug the AC adapter from the parent device before attaching any cables or accessories, as this reduces the possibility of experiencing the tingling sensation.

All electrical devices, including notebooks, printers, PDAs, etc., powered by AC Adapters with a two-pronged power cord (without a ground wire) may exhibit an electrical potential (voltage) between the exposed metal parts of the device and earth ground. The human body can be thought of as a wire which can conduct electric current. Depending on the conditions of a person’s skin — oily, dry, etc., and the surrounding environment (humidity level, flooring or desk material) — the body can be more or less conductive. If conditions are right for the human body to be less conductive, such as having dry hands or wearing rubber soled shoes on a carpeted floor, the probability of sensing the tingling (electric current) is reduced. If conditions are right for the human body to be more conductive, such as having wet hands or standing barefoot on a concrete floor, the probability of sensing the tingling (electric current) increases.

So there you have it. No need to worry.

But what do you think? Should users worry about these devices?

Comments welcome.

Dell site is here.

[tags] dell, tingle, computers, parts, metal, recommendations, ac adapter, 2 prong, ground, [/tags]

  • Denny

    YEA___SURE____DON’T…..WORRY

    IT’S SUPPOSE TO DO–THAT…..

    I guess Time Will Tell_._._. :-)

  • tbsteph

    While such “tingling” may be “normal” I can’t see why its acceptable. Obviously there is some degree of electrical charge living on the case. I love the solution – unplug the laptop! Maybe returning the laptop would be a better and more permanent fix.

  • Don Naphen

    Ron, I can’t believe that Dell actually made such a statement! Stray electrical currents (EMF) are NOT normal in ANY electrical device … period! Their engineers obviously screwed up big-time and then assured their customer service dept. that it was nothing to worry about. Geez, and the’re trying so hard to win back customers (???). I’m particularly curious as to the actual voltages present on and inside the case. A decent tech could tell instantly how much and probably the source of the leakage.

    I won’t get into the technical aspect of this issue, but as a long-time licensed ham radio operator I can tell you that this definitely needs some serious attention. This leakage is probably also contributing to incorrect voltages being applied to other parts of the circuit. Hard to tell just from the information supplied, but I’d be willing to bet that these units will not have a long life cycle! LOL.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi everybody,
    Thanks for the comments.
    It will be interesting to see what happens with these units down the road. I don’t think we have heard the end of this story. :-)

  • GOOSE

    Hey I like PAIN! Maybe I’ll get another Dell afterall……..

  • http://www.goretsky.com Aryeh Goretsky

    I do not normally see notebooks with metal cases, except for Apple’s Mac Book line, but I cannot recall ever reading about one giving someone a mild electrical shock.

    From reading the Dell KB article, the issue seems to be with the lack of sufficient grounding with their two-prong AC power transformers, so perhaps all Dell needs to do is replace them with three-prong grounded models and the problem will go away.

    I am also a little surprised with the tone of the Dell article, as when I worked in the hardware field we definitely listed all the various electrical and emissions and safety standards our equipment was tested against, but I guess there is a bit of difference between the telecom and personal computer fields in that respect.

    Regards,

    Aryeh Goretsky

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Aryeh,
    As you stated, the tone of the Dell article is surprising in light of their trying to regain their competitive edge.

    Also the way they have responded to the problem[s] with the 1500 series of Dell laptops is also surprising. It is almost like they are saying that the customers are lying about the problem. I continue to get responses from people who have replaced the power cord 3 or more times. I find it hard to believe that Dell doesn’t see this as an issue.

  • Don Naphen

    Ron, I just spent about a half an hour reading a Blog within the Dell website. This issue seems to go back quite aways. Here’s the url for anyone interested in reading the horror stories from so many Dell customers:

    http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/04/24/8522.aspx

    I almost keeled over with laughter when I read one comment by a Dell rep as he stated that a 3-pronged adapter will be made available at a “discounted price” !!! On a more serious note … the subject of those wearing a pacemaker was brought up, so let the games begin, as a static charge from the laptop, if in close proximity to one’s chest just might do more than a tingle!

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Don,
    Thanks for the link and additional information.

    Interesting about the 3 prong adapter idea. :-)

  • SANDRA

    My early 2009 MacBook Pro (15in) did the same thing. it made my hands tingle to the point of it being painful. It did it either plugged in or on the battery. My hands would hurt for hours afterwards. My plastic, white MacBook did not do this. I returned the MB Pro & got a new one & it did the same thing. The Apple store said they had never heard of this before!!! (Yeah, right!) So I returned it & got a refund. They would not let me try a 3rd one. I called Apple & they said they have never heard of this problem before! I told them there are websites dedicated to this problem, yet they denied it. So I’m still using my plastic MacBook….Sigh.

  • geo har

    nothing has changed -
    eg.
    2010 – Harvey Norman City West, Perth Western Australia
    3 out of 4 Al Macs were tingling, including MacBook Air

    Mac book Pro 2010 unibody Aluminium
    tingles

    Apple please release the short duck adaptor with 3 pins thx.

    note to current Apple unibody users, long cable with 3 pin plug solves tingle problem.