Static charge on TH55?

[lordrichter]

Has anyone noticed a slight static charge buildup on the TH55 when it is plugged into the charging unit? With dry hands (to limit conductivity) it would feel like the unit is vibrating as you slide your finger over the gunmetal colored frame around the LCD, like over the word "Clie" or over the silkscreened button icons at the bottom and up the sides.

As I run my finger over this it has a slight vibrating sensation (common with static electric fields) that immediately disappears when the charging unit is unplugged from the wall.

The TH55 is charging, backlight is on or off, WLAN is off. It is not plugged into the USB. I have not tested it when the unit is charged.

[lordrichter]

.... continued

Also happens when the unit is fully charged and plugged in.

I dunno if this is a problem, normal, or if it is something I should be returning the unit for.

[cnycompguy]

most likely, if this is noticable on other units, sony's engineers may have tied that screenframe to ground somewhere on the pcb, but not to ground on the charge circuit.
just some stray voltage, nothing that will hurt you or the unit as far as i can tell. if it bothers you call support and ask them.

:)

[lordrichter]

While charging, connecting the USB cable eliminates it. Probably current running into my PC USB port, though. :)

[krypticide]

Haven't noticed anything, but it's sitting on a cradle with USB to computer. I'll tell you though, if it has any charge on it, I'll be the first one to notice. I'm especially attuned to all that stuff.

For those who get shocked easily, a few tips: try to walk around barefoot if possible (I know Americans tend not to do this at home), and before touching metal objects, lightly touch it first with your knuckles (it'll still shock, but fewer nerves there) or do what I do, hit the knob with the fatty bottom of your fist before grabbing it and opening the door. Works like a charm usually, unless I have an incredible charge built-up, which I can get from some particular plastic chairs.

[lordrichter]

Originally posted by krypticide
Haven't noticed anything, but it's sitting on a cradle with USB to computer. I'll tell you though, if it has any charge on it, I'll be the first one to notice. I'm especially attuned to all that stuff.

Sony wants me to compare my unit to the in-store display models, unfortunately, I have to drive a while to get close enough to a store that dares to even carry these things. The local Best Buy, Staples, etc only carry the Little Sony's.

The static charge is not enough to cause a spark, which means that walking up and touching it would not generate any physical sensation. You actually have to run your finger very lightly up the front of the unit next to the LCD just to get a slight tingling/vibration feel from it, and it is really easy to disperse the charge. A slightly moist finger is enough to transfer the slight charge to you and since it is too slight to feel you would never notice it.

I suspect that this is probably in the "normal" range (my IBM laptop did the same thing over the metal portion of the case that was covered in plastic and on occasion I would feel a slight static charge if I touched a place where the bare metal was exposed)

(edit: in a dark room I can get it to spark against a copper water pipe from time to time through the USB sync cable)