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Something happened last night that both caused concern and scared me.
I have a tubed headphone amp connected to a Streamer DAC. When I disconnected the IC from the Streamer, the male tip touched my hand and shocked me.
Now, I've swapped lots of components from my stereo system and oftentimes only mute the preamp, while leaving it powered up. I've never been shocked in the past.
I don't know if that's because I've never touched the tips of the IC's or if there's something wrong with my headphone amp.
What concerns me is that there was a pretty massive thread on another forum about the potential for the capacitors blowing up. I don't think there's anyone who actually had one blow on them, but the warnings were out there. My unit had a clean bill of health from a electronics tech prior to my purchase, but with the shocking incident last night, I'm concerned.
So, should there be any electrical current coming through the IC's from the amp? The IC's were connected to the input of the amp. It has two inputs, but I'm almost certain one works as an actual input while the other works as a loop of sorts to go to another preamp.
Please advise.
Thanks.
Mamoru
"Man, that mouse is Awesome." - Kaemon (referring to Jerry, of Tom and Jerry fame)
Follow Ups:
You disconnected the IC from the source, but it was still connected to the headphone amp? There shouldn't be any voltage or current on the input of the amp. I would have it checked out if I were you. It probably has input coupling caps (to block any DC on the input). If you have a multimeter (DMM), measure the DC and AC voltage from the center to the barrel of the IC (or input jack).
Electrical signals have some energy within their signal carrying conductors; connecting points and cables. Every electronic gain device within our systems works on an "AC rides DC" principle. All types of electronics need a DC Voltage or voltages to energize the devices and an AC Voltage, or signal, to pass through. By securing the proper voltages that a device needs, the tube or transistor can amplify or pass the signal.
Now, every chassis is at a potential; an electrical potential. Carpeted floors are notorious for allowing a static buildup to be had while walking a step or two. Your body is also energized. See where I'm getting at ? If you are working on a hot, sweaty day or a dry day, and allow any part of your body to be the conductor, you might feel a jolt; hopefully a small jolt. With serious electrical shocks,a hot sweaty body will conduct more current since the skin will actually be less resistive. By touching the inner or outer conductor, your body became a conductor or a sink for any voltage on that interconnect. Granted, the electronics designers should include capacitors, resistors or inductors where needed in order to block harmful voltages to and from devices from causing harm, but a conductor that is or was recently "live" can hold a charge; as can your body. The chassis of the unit could be at ground potential; or not. Plus, your body is inherently at some potential. This is all grounds for shocking discoveries...(punny, hummm?)...
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