sparks when hooking up coax?(kinda long)

**etrik** · 05-04-2001, 07:42 PM

ok i just got a tv card for my home pc. i installed it and set up the drivers. then i powered down the machine and unplugged it. when i accidentally touched the end of the coax to the back of the case sparks flew! they flew again when i touched the connector on the card with the end of the coax. well i did a little trouble shooting and found that it only does this when the monitor is plugged inot the computer. any ideas on how to fix this (sorry for the long post!) thx,
etrik

**Dartman111** · 05-04-2001, 11:16 PM

My comp does the same thing, I've even gotten a little shock once or twice. I just ignored it and I havent had any problems.

**ODYSSEY** · 05-05-2001, 02:09 AM

Doesn't sound right/good. I have an ATI AIW Pro and have never had that problem. What type of card are you using?

ODYSSEY

**pcman** · 05-05-2001, 06:57 AM

ive gotten a shock of a coax network cable

thats all
cheers
pcman

never heard of being shocked of a tv out tho

must try it NOT

**etrik** · 05-05-2001, 10:16 AM

its an stb desktop tv. its made by 3dfx.
dartman: we're not talking a little shock, we're talking like it leaves black char spots where they touch! did you just hook it up anyways?
etrik

**Dartman111** · 05-05-2001, 11:33 AM

No, i never got black char spots, i think it has only happened a half a dozen times, it doesnt always happen. But I have seen/felt sparks and I just plugged it in and dont have any problems.

**zootjeff** · 05-05-2001, 08:54 PM

Originally posted by etrik:
<STRONG>ok i just got a tv card for my home pc. i installed it and set up the drivers. then i powered down the machine and unplugged it. when i accidentally touched the end of the coax to the back of the case sparks flew! they flew again when i touched the connector on the card with the end of the coax. well i did a little trouble shooting and found that it only does this when the monitor is plugged inot the computer. any ideas on how to fix this (sorry for the long post!) thx,
etrik</STRONG>

If it is the coax from the cable company it is because the cable company and the computer are not sharing the same ground potential. The sparks are not a problem is you just discharge the cable to the case and not some IC on the motherboard. It isn't a problem and shouldn't cause any problems having the sparks unless they are huge and knock you unconcience.

**etrik** · 05-06-2001, 09:35 AM

how would i go about discharging the cable? if i hold it to the case, the sparks just keep coming. thanks for all the help

**SupaDave** · 05-07-2001, 09:21 AM

It might be caused by a cable splitter/amp somewhere up the line. We just had cable hooked up at our new place, and the installer used a splitter/amp and it's powered by a wall wart located inside the house. The power adapter is hooked into the coax line, through a 2 way splitter, and feeds out to the amp on the side of the house. The adapter is rated for 15VDC, 300mA, which just might be enough to char up your case a bit. Plenty to cause the sparks.

Not necessarily a solution, but at least a possible cause.