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220 volts make Macbook Pro Vibrate
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I'm using a USA Macbook Pro in China and noticed that when I plug in the power which is 220 volts the laptop vibrates. I do not feel this vibration while I use my laptop in the USA which uses 110 volts. I've also had problems with my USA hard drives vibrating and even Final Cut Pro being very unstable while using it in China. I was wondering whether this vibration is normal and whether it could possibly harm my laptop. Any info would be much appreciated!
Alexander
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: in front of my Mac
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The vibration you feel are actually DC trickle currents in the ungrounded case.
Make sure you use the three prong adapter and use a properly grounded outlet. That should solve the problem.
(
Last edited by Simon; Oct 2, 2009 at 10:02 AM.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: London/Plymouth, England
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should, but not always...
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: in front of my Mac
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If the outlet is properly grounded you definitely shouldn't have these issues. If you are certain about the grounding, take the MBP in and have it fixed.
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Professional Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Switzerland
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I get the same kind of 'vibration'/current issues using my UK machines in France, where it is common in some places to still have old style '2 prong' plug sockets.
When I use the machine on a properly grounded supply with a '3 connection' earthed socket, the issue is not there.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Calgary
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I'm assuming by "vibration" you are referring to a slight electronic tingle where your skin touches the laptop? If so, I concur with the other posters. My computer once wasn't plugged in properly and was electrifying the outer case and every peripheral plugged in to it (including my ipod). Whenever I touched the case or ipod I would feel a slight electronic tingle. The plug must have been pulled a little loose from the socket to the point where the ground no longer made contact; after being pushed in properly, the electrification went away.
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Columbus, OH
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Another great Apple innovation!
The MacBook Pro Vibrator.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
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Admin Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Columbus, OH
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Originally Posted by tooki
Yes I am.
I thought recycling was a good thing.
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I just returned home, which is a much newer building and I don't feel the vibration anymore. I think I should get the circuits checked at my workplace. I'm actually kinda relieved to here that I'm not the only person who experienced this issue. I appreciate all the helpful info!
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
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You could also get a surge protector and put that between your laptop and the plug.
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"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: in front of my Mac
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I don't see how a surge protector can fix faulty ground wiring. The surge protector itself must be grounded in order to properly ground the attached MBP. But if you hook up the surge protector to the same faulty ground wiring...
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
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I was thinking that the maybe surge protector might stop the extra current from going through.
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"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Down by the river
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Originally Posted by olePigeon
I was thinking that the maybe surge protector might stop the extra current from going through.
A surge suppressor shunts high surge current to ground and will not limit current to a specified level.
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I agree with Simon. I need to have all the internal house wiring checked, as these cheap Chinese surge protectors I don't believe do much except protect against large surges, or I would hope :-p
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: in front of my Mac
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The point is that the surge protector protects equipment against surges on the mains. But this tingle issue on the MBP has nothing to do with the AC mains. After all you're sitting behind a charger and are getting DC voltage. The tingle comes from DC trickle current on the case, IOW the case isn't properly grounded. A surge protector which is again connected to the same faulty ground wiring won't fix that.
If you're really interested in a cheap quick fix solution, try connecting the case to a grounded object with a copper wire. Look for metal plumbing or a radiator (not painted!). Wrap the wire around that, make sure the other end makes good contact with the case. Once properly connected the tingle should go away.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
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How about a voltage regulator?
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"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Dec 2000
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Well, even at 110V, it's still better to be grounded than not to be, so I wouldn't really consider that to be an ideal solution.
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
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Grounding is what's needed. Nothing else will help. A surge suppressor won't help because it depends on dumping excess current to ground. A voltage regulator can only regulate properly if the premise wiring is done correctly, again with a good ground.
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Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
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