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I know very little about USB-C or PD. Two of my laptops give me a physical 'buzz' sensation when charging via USB-C. Is this because they're not grounded? Shou
by jackvalentine 3y ago
I know very little about USB-C or PD.
Two of my laptops give me a physical 'buzz' sensation when charging via USB-C. Is this because they're not grounded? Should I be worried about the issue at higher wattages?
- lxgr 3y agoMost USB-C (and other laptop chargers, for that matter) are of the double-insulated/"Class 2" variety. This means that they're galvanically separated from the primary circuit and not grounded to a protective earth conductor. For EMI reasons, there needs to be a connection (via a very small capacitor) to the primary side. This creates a measurable, and as you've noticed sometimes even physically detectable, voltage leak from the primary side, but is completely harmless since it can't actually sustain any meaningful current. More details here: https://electronics.stackexchange.com/a/216967/23924 https://electronics.stackexchange.com/a/216967/23924 If it really bothers you, you can get a three-prong USB-C power adapter. These can just ground the EMI to protective earth, and you won't feel anything. You can convert most Apple laptop power supplies into one by using a properly grounded cable, for example; they have a grounding connector (which is not connected to anything using the regular duck head adapters, though – hence the phenomenon of "buzzing MacBooks"). The phenomenon of being able to sense it using your fingers is called "electrovibration" and is actually quite fascinating. There's research into being able to use it as a form of haptic UI feedback!
- rubatuga 3y agoIf you want a three-prong USB-C power adapter, options include Apple, Dell and HP.
- jackvalentine 3y agoFound this one just before - https://satechi.net/products/6-port-gan-charger https://satechi.net/products/6-port-gan-charger