99 Percent of Fake Apple Chargers Sold Online Fail Safety Tests

[Analog Kid]

If you design a test so that other chargers would fail, then they will fail. It wont even matter if they are counterfeit or from some other genuine company. I am sure there are unsafe chargers out there, but the 99% number seems way too high. I am sure this 'independent firm' did their best to come up with an unbiased test.

Are you confusing "counterfeit" with "3rd party"? There are plenty of third party devices that are just fine.

Counterfeit means that they are pretending to be Apple devices, often right down to the logo and labeling. If you're already going to be that deceitful, and take that much legal risk, why bother wasting money on proper electrical design?

 

[Zirel]

Apple bought counterfeit chargers and cables directly from Amazon. Even if you buy an Apple-branded charger that says "Sold by and ships from Amazon," you can still get a counterfeit. That's because Amazon mixes its inventory with those of the resellers who sell [what is supposedly] the same item.

Don't buy the ones that are branded as Apple. I said.

 

[Whimseh]

You mean to tell me that illegal knockoffs.... don't.... follow... laws..?!? I would've NEVER guessed!

 

[Bacillus]

So the choice is between paying a few dollars for a charger (counterfeit or not)
or paying premium price for an adverse Apple battery ???

 

[44267547]

My sentiments exactly. A bit unrelated but I was searching for some watch bands on Amazon and after some reviews said that the bands were thinner, broke, or weren't the exact Apple colour I decided to pay the premium Apple price and I'm telling you, no price beats the peace of mind that it won't break easily.

Agreed. In most cases, you get what you pay for. And with third party bands and Apple's OEM bands, Apple's won hands down for quality standards.

 

[kdarling]

Aha. I think I found the "high voltage" UL test they used. Details here.

They're putting up to 1240 VAC across the insulation.

"The test involves placing an extra-high voltage across the insulation barrier of the device for one minute. If the insulation holds the voltage, the device is deemed to have passed the test.

"However, if the applied voltage leads to the sudden breakdown of the insulation material and allows current to flow, the insulation is determined to be insufficient since it might pose a shock hazard to users.

UL warns that this does not automatically mean there is an insulation design failure.

"While the dielectric voltage withstand test is widely used, the real objective of the test is often misunderstood, which may lead to incomplete testing or misleading test results."

"The use of a trip current setting to determine dielectric breakdown is based on the assumption that current above the trip setting is indicative of dielectric breakdown.

"While this is true in many cases, there are instances in which a current above the trip-out threshold is not indicative of a breakdown at all. It may actually be reflective of the natural dielectric current of the tested device.

"Thus, the following dilemma: Trip-out might indicate dielectric breakdown (a failure condition) or it might merely indicate dielectric current above the trip- current setting (not a failure condition). This uncertainty may lead to test results deemed unacceptable, when the results actually mask a favorable outcome."

So it's possible that this testing lab is reporting something that is not really a failure in "99%" of the cases (which seems suspiciously high).

It'd be far more useful if we also knew the range of breakdown voltages and currents. I mean, if most don't fail until say, 800+ VAC, that's a condition almost zero people will ever come across.

 

[Webb]

The chinese are faking Anker products too.

 

[coolbreeze]

Maybe if they priced the authentic ones reasonably, this wouldn't be an issue. I understand the desire to make Wall Street happy, but they are grossly overpriced. Result? People buy $9.99 fakes on eBay and risk burning their house down. It's not smart, but it's human nature.

 

[kdarling]

Maybe if they priced the authentic ones reasonably, this wouldn't be an issue.

When there was a run of iPhones burning up in China a couple of years ago, because of people using third party chargers and cables, Apple offered their own official chargers for half price to try to get people to stop buying off brands.

Agreed. But this also backs my point with piece of mind knowingly a reputable company as Apple is, to acknowledge the need for a recall, where these other shady companies will refute or never acknowledge a faulty product.

Well, it depends. This _is_ Apple we're talking about, after all. They're famous for not acknowledging an issue... sometimes for many years... until a belated class action threat makes them suddenly do something.

For instance, it took two years after a 2008 class action over 2.3 million fire/shock hazard adapters sold since 2001, for Apple to settle.

And again, a 2010 class action over 10 million fire hazard power connectors sold since 2006, also took two years to settle.

Apple usually gets there, but it sometimes takes a while

 

[44267547]

When there was a run of iPhones burning up in China a couple of years ago, because of people using third party chargers and cables, Apple offered their own official chargers for half price to try to get people to stop buying off brands.



Well, it depends. This _is_ Apple we're talking about, after all. They're famous for not acknowledging an issue... sometimes for many years... until a belated class action threat makes them suddenly do something.

For instance, it took two years after a 2008 class action over 2.3 million fire/shock hazard adapters sold since 2001, for Apple to settle.

And again, a 2010 class action over 10 million fire hazard power connectors sold since 2006, also took two years to settle.

Apple usually gets there, but it sometimes takes a while

I would agree Apple isn't the most timely when dealing with recalls and acknowledging issues reported until much later. Good point.

 

[barthrh]

Isn't the lesson here that it's not just what you buy (Apple, Anker, whatever) but also from whom you buy it? Ebay at 1/2 the price? Amazon from a marketplace vendor (i.e. not Amazon itself) for 40% off? Some dude in Chinatown? If you don't have the savvy to tell a reputable vendor from a non-reputable one, just go to the Apple store and buy there. People are trying to save nickels and dimes for a long-lasting item. We're talking about the cost of a (proper) beer as a price difference. Chargers last years. Cables last years if you pull them out like your mother taught you (i.e. NOT BY THE WIRE).

 

[Tech198]

where u buy, and how much they cost...

People want cheaper stuff always... You wouldn't pull plugs out by the cord in general, so why do it your computers/tablets ?

http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5443

I guess that's still ok for the price, but how cheap is cheap ?

 

[Webb]

where u buy, and how much they cost...

People want cheaper stuff always... You wouldn't pull plugs out by the cord in general, so why do it your computers/tablets ?

http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5443

I guess that's still ok for the price, but how cheap is cheap ?

Monoprice is cool,my lighting cable stopped working after a update and they exchanged no questions asked.Cable was 8 months old.

 

[gnasher729]

Isn't the lesson here that it's not just what you buy (Apple, Anker, whatever) but also from whom you buy it? Ebay at 1/2 the price? Amazon from a marketplace vendor (i.e. not Amazon itself) for 40% off? Some dude in Chinatown? If you don't have the savvy to tell a reputable vendor from a non-reputable one, just go to the Apple store and buy there. People are trying to save nickels and dimes for a long-lasting item. We're talking about the cost of a (proper) beer as a price difference. Chargers last years. Cables last years if you pull them out like your mother taught you (i.e. NOT BY THE WIRE).

Mostly agree. But if I go to Amazon and order a "genuine Apple charger" then I should get a genuine Apple charger, no matter what the price. And if I don't get a genuine Apple charger, then someone committed fraud. And if someone committed fraud, then someone should go to jail, and that's not happening.
[doublepost=1480795355][/doublepost]

Maybe if they priced the authentic ones reasonably, this wouldn't be an issue. I understand the desire to make Wall Street happy, but they are grossly overpriced. Result? People buy $9.99 fakes on eBay and risk burning their house down. It's not smart, but it's human nature.

They are only "overpriced" because you are comparing their price with the price of a dangerous fake one. You should compare the price with that of a quality third party product.
[doublepost=1480795530][/doublepost]

Are you confusing "counterfeit" with "3rd party"? There are plenty of third part devices that are just fine.

Counterfeit means that they are pretending to be Apple devices, often right down to the logo and labeling. If you're already going to be that deceitful, and take that much legal risk, why bother wasting money on proper electrical design?

Exactly. They are not risking _their_ lives and they are not risking _their_ reputation.

 

[Wowereit]

They are only "overpriced" because you are comparing their price with the price of a dangerous fake one. You should compare the price with that of a quality third party product.

Apple 5W charger: 25€
By lots of different reputable brands: under 10€

 

[SockRolid]

Isn't that the whole point to counterfeit goods? The manufacturers skimp on materials and build quality to produce a product that has lower costs and with compromised standards.

Little surprise when problems arise subsequently.

Sums up Samsung's smartphone and washing machine business models.

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/08/samsung-runs-full-page-ads-apologizing-note-7/

https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/Press...top-loading-washing-machines-made-by-samsung/

 

[TallManNY]

Everything can be counterfeited, but there isn't too much profit to make faking cheap Chinese products.
There's a much bigger market for faking Apple products hence it makes more sense for these companies to start up the fake production line.
But yes, nowadays nothing is sure. Until last month I - and probably you also - thought buying from Amazon was a guarantee.

Yeah, it was this year when I figured out that there were major major problems with Amazon. Recently I tried to buy batteries from Amazon. That is basically impossible since you have almost no chance of being assured that you are actually getting new name brand batteries.

I certainly won't ever buy an Apple product from Apple. But I was willing to buy "solid" brands for things like USB hubs and such. Now I'm not so sure. And the funny thing is that one of things I really do trust from Amazon is their own brand of basics. Hmmm, there could be a clever long game being played here by Amazon.
[doublepost=1480908923][/doublepost]

I think you, and a lot of others in this thread, are confusing "counterfeit Apple" with not made by Apple. As has been noted, chargers from Belkin, Kensington, Aukey, etc. are perfectly fine so there's no need to buy Apple branded chargers. Those are not made by Apple and are not counterfeit. Counterfeit chargers are chargers masquerading as genuine Apple product. If you want genuine Apple, probably best to get it from Apple or a trusted retailer. If you want a cheaper charger, they're easy to get and don't have to be counterfeit.

My concern is exactly that, that Belkins, Kensington, and Aukey are being counterfeited. I know this isn't what was being tested, but it does concern me that this is going on.

 

[Xiroteus]

Reminds me when I bought a Surface Pro charger. It started to smoke and melt at the connector. When it comes to chargers I will only buy something from a well known brand. No cheap eBay chargers.

 

[Kajje]

And the funny thing is that one of things I really do trust from Amazon is their own brand of basics. Hmmm, there could be a clever long game being played here by Amazon.

I think the damage done by this fake suppliers won't be balanced with the petty money they can make of those own brand products. Who could be benefiting from this case are the online shops of the brick & mortar stores. They'd probably sell real stuff.

 

[Webb]

Buy Anker or Monoprice.