Hello everyone, I just plugged in the charger of my M1 MBA into the socket board while the MBA was connected and the charger sparked (blueish light). I'm now worried that some internal damage might have occurred because of this ... Thanks for any help!
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Charger sparks
- Thread starter Taschenrechner
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So you would replace the MacBook in my case? I researched a bit and it seems that this is fairly normal for apple chargers?
Don't replace the computer! You can replace the charger if you are concerned. But a few marks from a spark would be normal because sparks are hot. It's unlikely that there is damage to the device. Most likely it sparked across the prongs because they didn't make contact at the same time when it was inserted. There are overcurrent protection devices inside the charger. If those triggered, the charger would no longer work.
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It might be a more productive conversation if others joined this discussion. My M1 MBA charger sparks when I don’t insert it so the pins make contact at pretty much the same time. Doesn’t matter if the Air is plugged in or not. So does my GF's Intel Air with either her Dell or Apple charger. So do my most used Ankers.
I think if we start trashing power adapters because they spark, there will be yet another supply constraint.
I think if we start trashing power adapters because they spark, there will be yet another supply constraint.
Interesting, that’s what I read as well. I’m not knowledgable enough to understand what exactly is causing that, but it seems weird, even if widespread ... So your charger sparked regularly when plugging in while connected to the MacBook? You’re not worried about damages to the internals (logicboard, etc.)?
I've had chargers spark and I'm not worried, as stated in post #6. If the two prongs don't make contact at the same, one will be hot and the potential between the socket and the other prong will cause a spark to jump the gap. The current flows across that gap, not through the device.
There is overcurrent protection in the charger. If those tripped, the charger would not work. When you ask about the logic board, well that's in the computer. It's not going to be vulnerable in any way.
By the way, if it sparks regularly with one socket, you should consider replacing that socket.
I don't know that for sure, but I can't imagine it would be legal to sell without them. In the United States, devices are marked "UL Approved" which indicates they've been tested and certified as safe. I'd be surprised if there in not a German equivalent.
No. I would replace the charger. If the MBA works there is nothing wrong with it.
There is no way this is "fairly normal" for any charger.
If you were talking about an electric motor I would understand, but definitely not a charger.
All of that said I am now wondering whether we are perhaps having some sort of misunderstanding.
Where did the spark come from?
As you mentioned the charger, I assumed the spark came from the charger itself (change the charger) and not from the AC plug when you connected it to the mains (odd, but not a problem in itself).
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I can now see that semantics are getting in the way and in all likelihood the spark came from the plug as it entered the socket.
That being the case the problem, if there is one, is most likely associated with the socket.
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That would not be a spark coming from the charger (as the OP hinted), but rather a spark coming from the AC plug.
If the spark came from the charger it is definitely indicative of something wrong.
EDIT: I should clarify that my 2015 MBP charger has two cables coming out of it, one going to the mains and one going to the MBP, but I now realise that the new chargers have the plug attached to the charger itself. That explains my misunderstanding as in my case is quite obvious if a spark is occurring on the charger or on the plug.
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This is sparking at the wall when right? When you are plugging in the adapter to the wall while plugged into the computer. You get a spark at the AC Outlet, not in the charger itself?
If so, this is pretty common for any electrical device. If it is in the on position when being plugged into the wall. The charger being plugged into the laptop first is essentially the on position. Most of the time you won't notice this unless it's dark. This is no worse than a spark of static electricity.
Note: This should be a split second pop. Not something which continues.
If so, this is pretty common for any electrical device. If it is in the on position when being plugged into the wall. The charger being plugged into the laptop first is essentially the on position. Most of the time you won't notice this unless it's dark. This is no worse than a spark of static electricity.
Note: This should be a split second pop. Not something which continues.
Sorry for any misunderstanding, I'm not a native speaker. The blueish "spark" happened for a split second when the plug was entering the socket (not a wall socket, a socket board). I've since researched a bit and this actually seems to be fairly common with Macbook chargers, which I find a bit weird tbh, but here we are.
That can happen with any device. It is not unique to Apple devices. The particular socket on the socket board is the most likely culprit.
OK, phew, so there's nothing to worry with regard to the internals ... I was reading some conflicting stuff so I wasn't 100% sure. Thanks everyone!
Yes, exactly. You can also connect the plug directly to the charger, afaik those plugs were always included in the old MBP boxes, but the newer ones no longer have the extension cord and the plug is connected to the charger from the start. I can see were the confusion was coming from now, a spark from the charger itself would pretty much freak me out lol, that didn't happen.
Yeah, that’s pretty common with the apple chargers. I’ve had them spark when connected, and even a little buzz through the computer when connected to 220V. It’s never been a problem, so what you’re describing sounds like the usual little spark.
Thats nothing specific to Apple PSUs but really bound to physics.
Every switching PSU is a short circuit (or very close to it) for a split second when it is plugged in. Thats why a PC can trip an older circuit breaker on startup even if there should be a x3 headroom.
Also AC means that the peak voltage is actually by sqrt(2) higher than nominal value, so for 230V thats 325V.
Now you plug in the PSU, have one side connected while the other is still 1mm away right when you at that 325V peak (which happens 100 times per second) and BOOM it sparks.
If I understand this issue correctly, I've had it as well, but only if I plug the MagSafe end connected to my MBA first, then connecting the AC end into the wall outlet. If I leave the MBA end MagSafe connector disconnected from the MBA, plug the AC end into the wall outlet, THEN connect the MagSafe connector to the MBA, no spark. I have no idea why it does this, but it's always been that way. That's why I always leave the Mac end disconnected till I get the adapter into AC first.