iMac (Mid 2011) USB Sparking....

itsallaboutyou

itsallaboutyou

itsallaboutyou

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11 Mar 2005
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Hello all,

I've recently bought a new 2011 iMac, base spec model from my local apple store - 2 days ago.

I unpacked it all etc and started migrating all my settings - which went without a hitch.

I plugged in my iPhone, no issues. I plugged in my printer, no issues.

When I came to plug in my USB hard drive, which is powered through the mains, I noticed that the USB socket sparked, when the usb connector got near to it.

I tried doing it with the hard drive not powered - and the issue didn't replicate.

Just to check I wasn't seeing things, I checked it with my printer again, this time powered on and it sparked again.

I'm no electrician - but I get the feeling that this is something I should be worried about.

I've done a couple of searches and the advice seems to be get it back asap..

Is there some electrical issue here - or have I ended up with a dodgy machine? I should add that I never had this issue with my Macbook, Macbook Pro, or more recently my Mac Mini. :confused:

Cheers,

Tom
 
My Icy Box dock does exactly the same thing. I've had my dock for a while and use it to backup my iTunes library and have had no issues despite the arcing when plugging it into the machine.

Someone on IRC said it's just arcing. It's not the port that arcs/sparks but when contact is made between the USB from the dock when it's powered and the iMac chassis.
 
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Powered USB do this quite frequently, nothing to worry about. I have a SATA to USB adapter and when it's powered up if i touch the end of the cable i get a tiny tingle.

Not going to damage anything, it's around about 5v.
 
Hmm! I'm getting the idea that i'm not in any real trouble, but even so - is this a common occurrence?!

I'm pretty terrible at complaining - but should I be looking for a replacement? Is it likely that every iMac in the world does it?

Ta!
 
It's a good thing to be honest, arcing suggests a greater electrical current towards earth. It means your iMac is earthed very well, it is most likely not arcing to the port but to the chassis surrounding it, much like a backplate on a pc.

It's normal.
 
**UPDATE**

I've figured out, that it is in fact the hard drive itself. It's an american drive, with a little fiddly adapter thing - which is not earthed. As Solus said, it's a good thing. Just have to rethink my hard drive options!
 
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