Apple Recalls Some International Wall Adapters Due to Risk of Electrical Shock

[justperry]

They look pretty beefy. The UK plug is probably the best other than the size, it is a monster.

The plug size is probably not necessary in places that use 110 or 120 volt standard.



I think like 75% of the world drives on the right side. Although, prior to the US declaring its independence, it was common practice to travel on the left side.

Bold, and why is that, if you think there is less power running through the plug you are wrong, actually if you connect the same heater on both voltages the 120Volt system has more current running through its wires, almost double!

Meanwhile, those of us who have to replace the AC adaptor for MacBooks because of crappy strain relief on the power cable, which exposes wires dangerously, can just eat cake (once the feeling in our arms returns).

Since when is 24 Volts with low currents (several Amps) dangerous!
It's too low for it to be dangerous.

Hahahahahaha

Apple always says don't use the cheap Chinese knock-offs. I've never had a problem with the cheap knock-offs. I buy all sorts when I'm in China. 25 ft lightening cables that you can't normally buy, adapters etc. The cables and adapters I've tried are great. Never had a problem.

Calling the kettle black.

The knock-offs are no different in tech. The only difference is that the knock-offs are actually worth the money.

I may hope you won't be one of the casualties to get electrocuted by using those cheap chargers, it happened before and it will happen again.
Not all of them are dangerous but it's extremely difficult to find out you have a safe good Chinese knockoff charger.

 

[Juicy Box]

Bold, and why is that, if you think there is less power running through the plug you are wrong, actually if you connect the same heater on both voltages the 120Volt system has more current running through its wires, almost double!

I did not make that comment based off of the load.

I was thinking from the user's point of view. Having a plug break, like in this article, and if accidentally touched, the 220V will cause a more severe burn than 120V.

 

[thatanonymoususer]

I suppose this is all true. Unfortunately a lot of equipment for the UK is supplied without the plug attached. This forces consumers to attach the power plug themselves. Not always a good idea...

This hasn't been true since after 1992.

 

[Recognition]

I suppose this is all true. Unfortunately a lot of equipment for the UK is supplied without the plug attached. This forces consumers to attach the power plug themselves. Not always a good idea...

Not sure where you're getting that piece of info from...
Every electrical appliance i have bought in the last 20 years at least has ALWAYS come fitted with a plug.
Heres an excerpt from the UK governments Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/1768) .

Supply of Electrical Equipment: Specified domestic electrical equipment intended to be connected to the mains power supply via plug and socket outlet is required to be supplied fitted with a standard plug or conversion plug, see Regulation 12.

(page 4)
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...al-equipment-plugs-sockets-guidance-notes.pdf

 

[Nermal]

Australia/New Zealand uses 3 pins as well but Apple chose to only use two in their products.

The recall notice says that "Customer safety is always Apple's top priority" yet the replacement part is still unearthed. Go figure.

 

[Juicy Box]

Since when is 24 Volts with low currents (several Amps) dangerous!
It's too low for it to be dangerous.

It could be, depending on the situation. Especially if it is from a DC source. I wouldn't wanna try if I was soaking wet. Or even sweating on a humid day. It may not kill you, but it could hurt.

It is like saying 1000 volts won't kill you, 100 volts can. Depending on the situation.

 

[rdlink]

Hahahahahaha

Apple always says don't use the cheap Chinese knock-offs. I've never had a problem with the cheap knock-offs. I buy all sorts when I'm in China. 25 ft lightening cables that you can't normally buy, adapters etc. The cables and adapters I've tried are great. Never had a problem.

Calling the kettle black.

The knock-offs are no different in tech. The only difference is that the knock-offs are actually worth the money.

Actually, numerous engineering sites have shown that the knockoffs are usually substandard and dangerous. Google it.
[doublepost=1454021005][/doublepost]

12 incidents since 2003...

"... Immediately..."

LOL.

Actually, unless Apple changed the design in 2003, after the first failure, and the remaining 11 failed late last year, I would call Apple management's actions incompetent, greedy and unethical.*

* I say this as a person who has quite a big emotional and financial investment in the company.

I'm not going to pretend to know the facts around those 12 incidents. But remember what I said: Once the company is aware of it, is able to reproduce it, and can trace it to poor design or build.

 

[Brandhouse]

I think this article needs some clarification. Are the affected wall chargers only with the beach number 4919 and the redesigned chargers showing, 'Euro'? for Australia etc.? Or is it for all wall chargers with any batch number within the production years that don't have the 'Euro' stamp?

 

[thatanonymoususer]

Hahahahahaha

Apple always says don't use the cheap Chinese knock-offs. I've never had a problem with the cheap knock-offs. I buy all sorts when I'm in China. 25 ft lightening cables that you can't normally buy, adapters etc. The cables and adapters I've tried are great. Never had a problem.

Calling the kettle black.

The knock-offs are no different in tech. The only difference is that the knock-offs are actually worth the money.

Actually, numerous engineering sites have shown that the knockoffs are usually substandard and dangerous. Google it.

I ended up doing some of the research for them:

You may not have had any issues so far as you can make somewhat similar products with lower tolerances in terms of input noise, etc. The issue that I've seen over and over again is that some of the knockoffs don't put any thought into where to put the high voltage plane like this example with LED lightbulbs on eBay.

There are also examples of USB splitters with shorts in them. A short like the one mentioned in the video could damage a component. When he opened it up, he also found that there were unsoldered ground planes and badly soldered wires (and some other issues).

The problem with China specifically is that they don't use the same safety standards. This is why they are finding that those wheeled hover boards that didn't fit into any safety standards categories are bursting into flames.

Specific to knock-off chargers, those like the one mentioned in this article bring up the voltage to 340V internally. Also, if the power isn't well-regulated with the voltage, there could be enough AC left in the signal to interfere with a touchscreen.

The thing about cheap knock-offs is that because there isn't a brand or any markings, it's impossible to make reviews or check the device before you plug in your several hundred dollar device into it. I'd much rather spend $20 to get a safety-inspected charger and know that my device won't be shorted out or the charger itself won't burst into flames. I can also say that from my experience, I did have an old iPod Touch smoke on me because the power supply was improperly wired up. I've also needed to re-solder the connector onto a DIY eGPU before it would work.
[doublepost=1454021819][/doublepost]

I think this article needs some clarification. Are the affected wall chargers only with the beach number 4919 and the redesigned chargers showing, 'Euro'? for Australia etc.? Or is it for all wall chargers with any batch number within the production years that don't have the 'Euro' stamp?

The article is fine. They say "4 or 5 characters on the inside" meaning any 4 or 5 characters. If it says the region, then it's fine. If it doesn't say the region, then it's not. If you're still confused, you can go to the link that they provided and get it straight from the horse's mouth: http://www.apple.com/support/ac-wallplug-adapter/

 

[rdlink]

I ended up doing some of the research for them:

You may not have had any issues so far as you can make somewhat similar products with lower tolerances in terms of input noise, etc. The issue that I've seen over and over again is that some of the knockoffs don't put any thought into where to put the high voltage plane like this example with LED lightbulbs on eBay.

There are also examples of USB splitters with shorts in them. A short like the one mentioned in the video could damage a component. When he opened it up, he also found that there were unsoldered ground planes and badly soldered wires (and some other issues).

The problem with China specifically is that they don't use the same safety standards. This is why they are finding that those wheeled hover boards that didn't fit into any safety standards because they don't fit into any electrical device categories are bursting into flames.

Specific to knock-off chargers, those like the one mentioned in this article bring up the voltage to 340V internally. Also, if the power isn't well-regulated with the voltage, there could be enough AC left in the signal to interfere with a touchscreen.

The thing about cheap knock-offs is that because there isn't a brand or any markings, it's impossible to make reviews or check the device before you plug in your several hundred dollar device into it. I'd much rather spend $20 to get a safety-inspected charger and know that my device won't be shorted out or the charger itself won't burst into flames. I can also say that from my experience, I did have an old iPod Touch smoke on me because the power supply was improperly wired up. I've also needed to re-solder the connector onto a DIY eGPU before it would work.
[doublepost=1454021819][/doublepost]
The article is fine. They say "4 or 5 characters on the inside" meaning any 4 or 5 characters. If it says the region, then it's fine. If it doesn't say the region, then it's not. If you're still confused, you can go to the link that they provided and get it straight from the horse's mouth: http://www.apple.com/support/ac-wallplug-adapter/

Nicely done.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Well you may be having a laugh; but statistics prove that it is fractionally safer to do so. Apparently this is due to humans being more commonly right-eye dominant.

The Romans rode on the left, the French being the French (mainly thanks to Napoleon) rode on the right and introduced this where they were able to have influence.

Just read up on it and it's listed as a study from 1969, when I think automatic transmissions weren't dominant in the right side world.
Can't tell if it was ever updated. I am sure there are good points for each side.

From what I remember in Ben Hur (not sure) the race was also going from left to right and Charlton Heston wore his wristwatch (by now edited out)

Then again, what happens to a lefty driving on the left hand side. Wouldn't that dominant eye create problems?

 

[shortcrust]

I suppose this is all true. Unfortunately a lot of equipment for the UK is supplied without the plug attached. This forces consumers to attach the power plug themselves. Not always a good idea...

Not true - since the 1990s everything has to come with a plug fitted. It's mentioned in the video. I've had a look around and there's only one plug in my house that can be removed from the cable, and that's a really old lamp.

When I was a kid there was always a search for a plug or two on Christmas Day to get new gadgets running. We were taught how to fit plugs at school.

 

[thermodynamic]

Bad supplier.

Is the supplier's name emblazoned on the package?

No.

Apple's name is on it so that is what customers see.

Brand recognition.

Customers don't care about the finer details. Most don't...

Also, Apple chooses the company and the conditions therein, so it's not that easy to summarily throw over one's proverbial shoulder.

Apple doing a voluntary recall is a nice thing to read.

 

[s1m]

I think this article needs some clarification. Are the affected wall chargers only with the beach number 4919 and the redesigned chargers showing, 'Euro'? for Australia etc.? Or is it for all wall chargers with any batch number within the production years that don't have the 'Euro' stamp?

The support pages states any adapter ith a four or five digit code inside the device. I suspect it will be any with the standard rounded head. I have two styles at my desk at work and the rounded head unit is affected. I will be doing a check tonight at home and going to my local Apple store tomorrow.

 

[LiveM]

I have five affected and only one is from a "device", yet they want a device serial number for each adaptor. This affects the AA battery rechargers, the AC extension lead, and discrete adaptors purchased ad hoc.

Who are the clowns running this recall?

 

[Rob1547]

I think this is bigger than Apple is leading on. I initially called them tonight for my World Travel Adapter Kit (4 of 6 of my plugs are impacted.) After review, two of my U.S. MacBook MagSafe chargers, plus one older iPad 10W charger, have tips included in the recall.

After some very long hold times, I ultimately spoke to a Senior Advisor, was given a case number to bring to the local store. I'm not looking for a hookup, and even if the tips "work" right now, they are being recalled for a reason and people should take this seriously.

Be sure to check your gear out. Better safe than sorry.

Apple's website is a little under-handed... they show pictures of the non-US plugs as impacted, but then state:
Note: The countries and regions listed are some examples of supported locations for that adapter. Adapters may be used in additional countries.

 

[jasonlasky]

Warning: Error in web method with automated confirmation:

Approx.: Please take your [device] to the post office and send it to Apple.​

Also no facility for entering more than one serial number.​

Reported: through Live Chat - Support - Apple.

Reply: "You will be sent the adapter and then you will need to send the old one back."

"... they will both be sent separately."
"[web guys] will look it over and see whats going on, but I can’t say when [it will be fixed]."

regards Jason​

 

[B4U]

People are just touching it wrong


People are just touching it wrong

Because they were not Force Touching it? (Sorry, just kidding)

 

[LiveM]

So with a billion devices out there, how many billion dollars are talking about for this recall... 1? Two?

 

[EliasM]

I don't think I'll bother. I've got two of the affected chargers but both seem fine. I'll just be a bit more careful when handling them.

 

[Yumbo]

You can contact Apple for replacing affected adapters in the Travel Kit.

You can use any serial except desktops to replace your additional adapters.

Else best to visit a retail store or service provider.

Affected adapters are those not sporting a region label.

 

[Max(IT)]

"due to the risk of electrical shock if touched in very rare cases."

CUTE ... is this Apple downplaying it or MR?

Can't be all that rare, if there's a recall.

It takes only one proved case to warrant a recall, since safety is concerned.

 

[8692574]

I think like 75% of the world drives on the right side. Although, prior to the US declaring its independence, it was common practice to travel on the left side.

http://www.worldstandards.eu/cars/list-of-left-driving-countries/ Actually about 90% of the world's total road distance carries traffic on the right and 10% on the left.

 

[Max(IT)]

I think this article needs some clarification. Are the affected wall chargers only with the beach number 4919 and the redesigned chargers showing, 'Euro'? for Australia etc.? Or is it for all wall chargers with any batch number within the production years that don't have the 'Euro' stamp?

All the adapters with a 4 digit code are affected.
I have at least 3 to replace.... they are working fine but I'm not going to take risks on my life.

 

[LiveM]

Unless it has a region abbreviation, it is under recall.