I’m very worried that a post like this for my first post may color some people’s opinions about my intelligence but here it goes…
While useing my laptop I tend to rest the bottom against my chin while laying down(really, I’m not crazy) because it makes it easy to read without my glasses while not heating up my chest. Anyway, I rested it a little high and a part of it was on my lip. This made me feel something. I’m not sure exactly what though. It DID leave a metalic taste in my mouth and I do think I felt a bit of a shock(may have just been in my mind though). It just happened again tonight and it set me expirementing. I’ve placed it on my lip now repeatadly(I really need to get a job) and have duplicated it on more then one occasion. I dont see anything that could cause this though. Some extra details that may or may not be relevent. It’s a Portege 7000CT made by Toshiba. I have braces though I seriously doubt any current can pass through them. Anything else just ask.
DISCLAIMER: Really, I’m not crazy or stupid. Honest!
It might help if you just stop kissing your laptop.
I assume you are still alive as you where able to ask this question, so no you are not “electrocuting” yourself.
I think Casdave has your answer, for this to be an electric shock like you are thinking you would need two points of contact with a voltage potential between them.
So if you are doing this with no shirt on and there is a conductive part resting on your chest at the same time you are touching a conductive part with your chin/lip that is at a different potential then the one on your chest you might feel a shock.
I say might as having a large enough potential (enough voltage) between two parts on a laptop so that you could feel it IMHO is unlikely.
Is the computer plugged in to the mains or is is running on batteries? If it is plugged into the mains with an adapter and the output is not grounded it can have enough capacitive coupling to the mains to give you a small shock. Does the adapter have a ground pin? If it happens when the laptop is disconneted from the mains then it could be electrolysis but I find this less likely. My guess is your computer was plugged into the wall socket.
There is a small voltage difference.
You can test the charge of a 9 volt battery by putting the terminals on your tongue.
If the battery is charged it will be uncomfortable but if discharged there is just a metallic taste.
I think you are just feeling the tiny voktage difference.
That is true because your tongue is touching both a positive and negative terminal at the same time, your tongue is completing the circuit between them.
Even in the case of a capacitive coupling at the transformer the “victim” would need to grounded to feel the a shock.
Your body needs to complete or be in series with a circuit before you will feel a shock.
I am still alive, so I didn’t kill myself, yet. To answer a few questions:
sailor– Yes, you would be correct. The battery on this laptop is shot so I’m useing the adaptor. The adaptor does not have a ground. And it’s only ever happened with the laptop pluged in, I only lick it when I’m useing it
iwire– I’m always fully dressed when “kissing” my laptop, we’re just friends, nothing more
Thanks for the responses guys! [sarcasm] I think I’m still ok except for this weird twitch…[/sarcasm]
Quote iwire
Between what two points?
Dunno.
Haven’t seen John and his computer during their sparking embrace.
This is the first I’ve heard of a relationship between man and computer going beyond verble relations.
Its shocking,I tell you. Just shocking.
