[SOLVED] Slight continuous electric shock when using the digital outputs

I remember, back when I had a DJM800 that I had a few "tingles" out of it.

@Paul > What country are you in?  What kind of mains connector do you have on the mixer?

I am in the uk, and it is just the standard plug and lead that came with the mixer. I dont think its the mixers fault as i seem to be getting the shocks from the audio leads coming from the cdj 2000s, then when i plug them into the mixer it is conducting the electricity from the cdj leads.

Yeah, it's entirely possible you have a short somewhere -- but try this (a trick a friend in the UK found with his gear years ago)... reverse the polarity of the plug by removing it from the power outlet, turn the plug 180 (flip the contacts) and then plug it back in.  Because UK gear doesn't have polarized plugs, you are able to do that.

will try that.

@Pulse > I'm guessing they weren't using a UK plug (perhaps a continental plug with an adaptor):

@Gavin > It was first reported by Stu, I'm not sure what kind of plug it was.

I am having exactly the same issue (I am in Australia on 240v) with CDJ1000s.  Both of my CDJs seem to be conducting a slight electric charge via the rca connectors - it is only noticable when I hold the rca plugs directly onto my wrist.  When they are plugged into my mixer (DJM800) I get a slight tingle from the corners of the mixer face plate (which is when I first noticed it).  No solution found yet and switching the polarity of the power cables into the CDJs does not resolve the problem.  Anyone out there have any ideas before I send the whole setup to a repairer?

You have a buildup of residual earth leakage somewhere, hence the shock. The only real way to identify it would be to get an electrician in measure the system. It could be caused by a bad PSU in the CDJs leaking current, your plug sockets may be wired incorrectly, etc.

It's not an uncommon problem with CLASS I electrical devices (real earthed) such as I'm assuming the DJM800 is, connected to a mixture of CLASS II (no real earth) devices such as the CDJ1000.

Sorry I can't be more specific to help fix your problem, but I'd need to see pictures of how everything's wired in, voltage measurements from your devices, etc and I don't want to give you the wrong advice.

ground fault (earth leakage) is dangerous business.  I'd recommend testing ONLY with a GFI or Leakage Trip adapter cable, you could be killed if there is an equipment fault!  The trip device will interrupt the circuit if more than 10mA of leakage current exists (below the level to stop your heart)

To isolate the circuit causing the problem, use one device at a time plugged into the trip adapter.  Next, use a DVM or similar device set to the mA scale to measure current to earth from the shield of the RCA cables.  You should have less than 1mA.  More than 10mA and the trip device will fire!  Reverse the plug if you can and test again.  Do this with every device until you find the source of the problem and DO NOT USE any device that is leaky!

My previous experience with this issue was a live mixer where the problem became progressively worse and more dangerous, traced back to a power surge (generator problem) that compromised the device's power transformer insulation.  I've heard stories of EMI filters with failing capacitors also the result of a power surge, but the end result is particularly dangerous especially where some equipment is grounded and a tech is shocked when hooking up gear.

Of course, we all know and love the sound leaky equipment makes when connected to a live channel, and the expensive smell the previously good subwoofers make...

fyi, these should be available from your local hardware store, probably much cheaper than this distributor example:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/POWER-FIRST-Inline-GFCI-Cord-Set-5YL47

I have a set of these I use for all circuits used on outdoor gigs

Thanks Will K and Pope. I spoke to equipment specialists here in Aus and the problem arises because all of my equipment is Class II and have a floating charge with no real earth (usually the charge is passed via the RCA cables to the mixer and then onto a grounded amp or other equipment). Apparently a common occurrence and completely harmless. The solution which the techs are implementing for me is attaching an earth cable from my mixer rear panel to a wall plug, effectively earthing my entire system.

@Brent > Thanks for updating us and @Will K > thanks for sharing that information.