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Attention Lightning adapter users!

C

C8XY

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 11, 2008
356
32
Posted in Mac Hardware but perhaps better suited here!

Not sure if its the adapter or the lead thats at fault but, mine almost set on fire!
Nothing was plugged in to the adapter, it was just connected at the wall and left laying on the floor like I'm sure a lot of people do...
Its an amazon USB lead and the adapter was purchased direct from apple.
I'm now looking for answers from these companies.
As you can see, its melted and completely fused the two together!

 
What do you mean it's an amazon USB lead? These lightening connectors are meant to either be connected to your computer or the apple wall charger.

I'd be willing to bet the two companies will point at each other.

Also, with the adapter sitting on the floor, it's possible to get stepped on or wet causing a short.

Not doubting you, just pointing out what most people will question.
 
JoshS said:
What do you mean it's an amazon USB lead? These lightening connectors are meant to either be connected to your computer or the apple wall charger.

I'd be willing to bet the two companies will point at each other.

Also, with the adapter sitting on the floor, it's possible to get stepped on or wet causing a short.

Not doubting you, just pointing out what most people will question.
Click to expand...

Its an "Amazon Basics" USB lead
It was connected to the Apple USB charger for the iPhone, the cable was laying under my bed on a carpeted floor.
I was only using the USB lead as the one supplied by Apple is too short, it was brand new and never been wet! I was using the adapter for what it was intended for, there's no user error here!
 
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Applejuiced said:
Floor wasn't wet or anything right?
Still not a good idea to have it lay on the floor connected to power.
Click to expand...

Floor wasn't wet.
Ordinarily there is no issue leaving a USB lead plugged in to a wall outlet with nothing plugged in, I've done it for years, I'm sure loads of people do it.

I'm guessing Apple couldnt have possibly made anything that would melt and potentially catch fire :rolleyes:
 
Is that a UK only (not US) item? Ours don't look anything like that. USB extenders are standard USB at both ends; you plug the Apple charge block into the wall, plug the USB extender into that, then plug the Apple charge cable into the USB extender for charging with a longer cord. I've been doing this for years.

Your cable allowed for skipping a step? :confused:
 
C8XY said:
Floor wasn't wet.
Ordinarily there is no issue leaving a USB lead plugged in to a wall outlet with nothing plugged in, I've done it for years, I'm sure loads of people do it.

I'm guessing Apple couldnt have possibly made anything that would melt and potentially catch fire :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I hear you but usually not a good idea to leave it laying on the floor.
Maybe any hair, moisture, threads from the carpet could have caused that.
I'd suggest leaving it on top of a night stand or table or something.
 
Aha. I"ve not seen Lightning to Micro USB here. Adapters I"m familiar with are Lightning to 13-pin converter or straight up USB to Lightning charge.
 
Last edited:
Judging from the melting, it looks like it was the adapter circuitry that overheated. I can't speculate as to what caused this but it could be a serious issue for users of the adpater or perhaps just an isolated incident. Definitely bring this to Apple's attention.
 
Applejuiced said:
I hear you but usually not a good idea to leave it laying on the floor.
Maybe any hair, moisture, threads from the carpet could have caused that.
I'd suggest leaving it on top of a night stand or table or something.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your line of thought but in this case I believe it to be a faulty product, I'll update this thread when I hear back from Amazon and Apple for those interested or with similar issues.
 
mactmaster said:
Judging from the melting, it looks like it was the adapter circuitry that overheated. I can't speculate as to what caused this but it could be a serious issue for users of the adpater or perhaps just an isolated incident. Definitely bring this to Apple's attention.
Click to expand...

Thats exactly what came to my mind, the day before this happened my phone got to 100% charge then rapidly went on/off charge repeatedly until I unplugged it. I put it down to software glitch but now I'm thinking dodgy adapter
 
I don't think there was any user error here TBH.. I dont think the OP has done anything different to many thousands of other users by leaving the cable plugged in. Apple created the adapter for use with USB cables - they didnt specify a particular type!
Will be interesting to see what these companies come back with, specifically Apple.
 
Whew! Good thing the iPhone wasn't attached. You can replace a house, but not an iPhone! :D
 
Apple is aware of this and have provided a response:

"You laid the cable down incorrectly."
 
USB cables protect their pins inside the metal shell. The Lightning cable exposes the contacts. If any external metal happens to bridge the positive voltage and ground pins, I hope that the circuitry in the end of the cable will shut the power down.
 
There is no power running through lightning pins until the micro controller negotiates with the phone and they decide which pins to use fit power.
 
XboxMySocks said:
UK wall power = 220V.
N/A wall power = 110V.
Click to expand...

First of all, AC power is not what charges any of your electronic devices. It's the DC power that the plug provides that charges your phone. It converts AC power to DC power, so that your iPhone can make use of it.

4A5006DF-E3F7-42C4-AFCD-5F4C5E3F8122-4975-000001BD3E5F8A49.jpg


Second of all, the charger provided with the iPhone supports 100-240V. The electrical grids in both the US and the UK fall well within this range.
 
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