On Wed, 01 May 2013 15:59:33 +0100, David Moorman wrote:

In article , "Major Scott"
wrote:

I have a USB hard disk enclosure, and I'm running it without it's case as I'm
testing another drive with it. When I touched the hard disk with my hand and
the case of the computer (which is earthed) with my arm, I felt a tickle. So
I connected a multimeter to it, and the hard disk is at 90 volts AC with a
short circuit current of 0.136 mA. Is this normal? Is this a good idea when
working with delicate computer electronics? I suppose the ground of the USB
lead will get rid of it but it seems a bit odd. The USB disk unit is powered
by a cheap wall wart that came with it, rated 12V DC 1.5A.

Something is effed up.

It works though.

I've had a similar voltage out of the composite output of a VCR. That's the trouble with these double insulated things that aren't earthed.

--
I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me.