3 ms·
There will be some kind of current into the "Ground" terminal on the output (i.e. your computer case) for most small switching power supplies (two-prong without
by cnvogel 10y ago
There will be some kind of current into the "Ground" terminal on the output (i.e. your computer case) for most small switching power supplies (two-prong without separate protective earth pin). This current is caused by the "Y-Capacitor" which goes between the secondary ground/shielding and one of the power inputs.
http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/216959/what-does-the-y-capacitor-in-a-smps-do http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/216959/what-d...
This is needed for proper EMI/RF immunity and because of this you often can measure the line voltage (or half of the line voltage, depending on how the Y capacitor is connected internally) on the output pins with a high-impedance multimeter.
No significant current can flow, though, because at the line frequency (50 or 60 Hz) the impedance of the Y capacitor (typically 1nF or so) is pretty high (2.5MOhm). For 230V, this would correspond to 0.1mA.