topic Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3 in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

rosybrie — Sun, 13 Feb 2022 23:14:18 GMT

Recently I've been wanting to get into video recording and streaming with my DSLR camera using the eos webcam utility (I do own a capture card, but it's in storage currently). I ended up purchasing the compatible dummy battery with the ac adaptor for my camera so I wouldn't have to worry about battery life. However I've noticed that whenever my camera is connected to a power source of any kind while the eos webcam utility is on it produces some kind of electrical shock whenever I touch the camera. This happens when plugged into my computer via USB and/or the ac adaptor. I stopped using both to prevent any damage to the camera and any safety hazards. I haven't been able to get a solid answer on whether this is just static or if it's actually electricity. According to the Canon safety manual for the ac adaptor, using the adapter in humid areas can increase the risk of electrical shock and the area I live in is very humid most days. I'd like to be able to just record videos for a longer period of time before the battery dies on me, but I don't want to risk damaging the components or shocking myself. Please keep in mind that I've had this camera for nearly 2 years now and the only instances in which I have been shocked have been while it's plugged into the ac adaptor and using the eos webcam utility. This is not an issue I have at any other time with this camera.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

jaewoosong — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 07:10:40 GMT

It's likely a grounding issue. Most AC adapters with dummy plugs only have a 2 prong AC plug vs 3 prong (with ground). Most computers use a 3 prong outlet to ground the computer. This grounding is very important as you mentioned in humid areas as any electrified device can build up a static charge and a human body being mostly water is a nice conductor to dissipate the static charge. I'm assuming you are using a desktop computer. For some folks in older homes with only 2 prong AC outlets, people will use an adapter or clip off the ground plug to fit into 3 prong power plug into a 2 prong AC outlet. This increases the risk of not grounding the device and increases the likelihood of static buildup.

If it was actual 110v shock you'd know the difference than compared to static discharge (i've stupidly done both). If it's static, it'll be a quick/tiny jolt but if it's a 110v shock, it'll like cause the breaker to turn off.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

kvbarkley — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 14:36:59 GMT

While getting across 110 will cause a GFCI to trip, you will die long before a breaker trips if you get across 110.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

kvbarkley — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 14:40:40 GMT

It is probably a loop because you have the USB and the AC line plugged into the camera. I have never needed one, but you might try a USB isolator.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

rosybrie — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 18:19:57 GMT

I doubt it's a loop since this is happening with the USB cord plugged in without the ac adaptor, buy I will look into one.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

Stephen — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 18:36:37 GMT

Hello,

Stop using this product IMMEDIATELY and UNPLUG IT if it is producing any kind of an electrical shock to you! Disconnect it from your Camera, your Computer, and the power outlet.

Are you using the Canon AC Adapter AC-E6N and the DC Coupler DR-E18, or is any of your setup from a third party? If your AC Adapter and DC Coupler are Genuine Canon, we need you to contact our support group ASAP at 800-652-2666.

If your AC Adapter and DC Coupler are from a third party, you need to reach out to that company to let them know what's going on - this is not normal.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

rosybrie — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 18:39:46 GMT

The computer I built is fully grounded and it is plugged into a 3 prong outlet. This camera isn't the first piece of equipment I have plugged in through USB and an ac adaptor and if grounding were an issue I'd be getting shocked every time I used my graphics tablet. I've also been shocked before and it does feel a bit more like static electricity to me though.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

kvbarkley — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 18:51:50 GMT

Sounds like your PC has a grounding problem.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

rosybrie — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 18:54:48 GMT

Alright I will give them a call. I am using the Canon ac adaptor & coupler. I've had the camera unplugged after the second instance of this happening, which was over a week ago.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

rosybrie — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 20:00:49 GMT

I highly doubt it. My PC is grounded and this DSLR isn't the only piece of sensitive equipment I have hooked up to it. If it were truly a grounding problem I'd be having the same issues with my drawing tablet, which also has the potential to shock if it's not grounded properly.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

wq9nsc — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 03:25:54 GMT

As Stephen wisely stated, until you figure out what is going on you need to disconnect the equipment for safety.

But a quick question, when you were receiving these shocks were you in contact with any other conductive surface? If you are wearing rubber soled shoes and not touching any other item except the camera, then the odds are extremely high that it was a static shock BUT that shouldn't be occurring if the humidity is high. If the shock occurs when you are touching the camera and some other portion of your anatomy is touching a conductive object then it is most likely from electrical leakage and that is a dangerous situation.

Under worst case conditions (i.e. contacting the live object with a piece of jewelry like a watch) while another part of your body is well grounded, then as little as 24 volts can cause heart fibrillation and death because the combination of the large skin contact area like jewelry combined with perspiration underneath it reduces you skin resistance to the point that even fairly low voltage can result in sufficient current flow to cause a fatality. With perfectly dry skin (DO NOT try this), getting across 240 VAC will generally not result in a fatal event, current flow is what kills and either increased voltage and/or reduced skin resistance results in increased current flow so these are the factors determining the severity of the shock and why what might appear to be a nuisance shock can easily turn into a fatal event. And counterintuitively, within a range a lower voltage can be more dangerous than a higher voltage because the lower current flow from a low voltage shock can easily put the heart into fibrillation and arrhythmia while the higher current flow that comes from a higher voltage source will stop the heart muscle which will often restart normally when the voltage is removed much like what happens with the paddles used by medical personnel. In short, don't be cavalier about minor shocks because they can be deadly.

I work regularly with equipment that has power supplies delivering up to several thousand volts with very high current capability so I am very safety conscious because with this sort of stuff you may not have the opportunity to make a second mistake.

Canon is a major manufacturer which has good quality controls over their own and their supplier's production but there are a lot of counterfeit items out there including those who steal the Canon name and logo. So even if your AC adapter says Canon, unless it came from a reliable dealer then it may not be something that meets Canon's safety standards. The same counterfeiters are not hesitant to put fake UL listing and European safety listings on their products either.

In one of your posts, you stated that the shock is occurring even with only the camera plugged into the computer USB port without the camera AC adapter/DC coupler connected. It is rare, but not as rare as it should be, for outlet grounds not to be properly connected to ground and if this is the case with the outlet where your computer is plugged in then its ground bus (including its case) and anything plugged into it that carries a ground reference (includes the shield of USB cables) can rise to a voltage above ground. While you are doing safety checks, ensure that your grounded outlet truly is grounded.

I prefer using a test meter but if you don't have one and aren't familiar with testing, most of the home improvement stores sell a little plug in device that will render an opinion on the health of your outlet and wiring. The reason I like using a meter is it would also be good to test that your PC ground (i.e. any metal back plate on it or connectors with a shield) are actually connected to ground via the outlet. An incorrectly manufactured or subsequently damaged power cord can easily have a break in the ground lead at either the outlet or equipment end. If you are not fully confident in your ability to test this yourself, then an electrician can easily check the outlet and also the PC for stray voltage on the ground bus. It isn't unusual for a ground bus to rise a few volts above true ground but it should never approach the level where it would ever be noticeable to anything except test equipment being used to measure the level.

There is a very good likelihood that what you are seeing with your Canon camera is a symptom and not a cause of the problem.

Rodger

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

rosybrie — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 18:19:42 GMT

All of my canon products came from verified sellers, it's not a counterfeit issue. My outlet is also completely grounded and the shock will still occur when I myself am grounded. I contacted Canon about the situation a few days ago and was told that the camera would need to be sent in for repairs or that I should just get rid of it due to the safety risks.

Re: Electrical Shock/Static Coming from Canon EOS 250D/sl3

kvbarkley — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 19:08:28 GMT

Are you *sure* they are grounded? All of the outlets in my house have 3 pronged grounded outlets, but only a few are actually grounded.