There should be isolators you can get.  You can do a search for it -
many of them talk about ground loops since that is another major reason
to use an isolator.  Should be able to pick one up from Radio shack -
I'm surprised your cable guy didn't try to sell you one.

However, AC on the cable line is a /MAJOR/ safety issue.  I would take
it up with your apartment manager.  Indicate that you are willing to
report this safety issue to your city's building commission (or
equivilant) if it is not repaired, and follow through if they don't take
care of it.

Naturally, the problem is likely not the fault of your apartment
complex.  I'll bet a tenant has cut the grounding wire off a plug, and
plugged it in backwards.  Do this on a power strip, plug your vcr into
it, and suddenly all the cable is at 120V potential to ground.  The
cable company probably grounds it at their access point (as well as
isolates it so your segment doesn't hurt others if badly connected), but
there is likely enough bad connections between the offender and the
access point that you'll still get a good bit of voltage at your point.
 If all the connections were good, the offender would keep blowing his
fuses, and might actually get a clue.  All you can be happy with is that
they are paying a higher electricity bill, corroding the connections
even more (which will eventually fail altogether), and increasing the
risk of fire.

The apartment complex is likely still responsible, but you know how that
goes.

-Adam

Barry Michels wrote:

>I have a problem with my cable TV system.  Somewhere in  my apartment
>complex, there's a short from the cable shield to A/C.  I sold my TV since
>getting a DV bridge, but when I connect the cable signal to the computer,
>the FireWire DV bridge and a couple of other devices go offline.
>
>The cable company came by and said, 'yup, you've got AC on the line.  have a
>nice day.'  Looks like I'll have to come up with a solution on my own.
>
>Is there a way I can get a signal ground from the shield without AC leaking
>in?  Apparently, there's no AC on the center conductor.
>
>
>Barry
>
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>
>
>
>

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