Genius Bar says this is normal, is it really?

[telepati]

When I plug in my adapter, there is an electric flash. Their argument is that it can happen because it is 140w. I requested a swap with the new one because it worried me. They accepted it but said that this could happen again with the new adapter. Has anyone encountered something like this? Is this really normal?

 

[Grumpus]

Doesn't look normal to me. What is the a.c. line voltage in your part of the world? Here in the U.S. with a nominal 120V, plugging my 140W power brick in has never resulted in a flash of any kind I have other complaints, but no flashes or arcs.

 

[telepati]

The voltage level in my local is 230V and 400V. Phase-neutral voltage is 230V, interphase voltage is 400V. The frequency value is also 50Hz.

 

[chrono1081]

I see it occasionally on any kind of adapter really, I think it just depends on how your house is wired.

 

[russell_314]

Are you plugging it in normally or slowly plugging it in? The adapter is pulling current and if you slowly plug it in, it’s going to create an arc. This isn’t something going on with the adapter, but the outlet

 

[telepati]

The problem is that this doesn't just happen in my house, it happens everywhere. Meanwhile, the entire electrical network of the house is current controlled. I also have an Apple Power Adapter extended cable, it even happens on it.

 

[dmccloud]

That is not an adapter issue, but something related to electrical wiring/the electrical grid. You could replace the adapter 100 times and still not resolve the issue because it is an electrical system issue rather than a device or charger issue. In this case, it may be related to the power grid itself rather than the wiring in your home. The only time I have seen that issue here in the US (120v mains) was when the electrical outlet itself was responsible, and it would happen regardless of the device connected to it.

 

[russell_314]

That is not an adapter issue, but something related to electrical wiring/the electrical grid. You could replace the adapter 100 times and still not resolve the issue because it is an electrical system issue rather than a device or charger issue. In this case, it may be related to the power grid itself rather than the wiring in your home. The only time I have seen that issue here in the US (120v mains) was when the electrical outlet itself was responsible, and it would happen regardless of the device connected to it.

Anytime you make a connection you’re going to have an arc. From the video it looks like he’s slowly plugging it in. Making this connection slowly, increases the time and increases the arc. If you record this arc in low light, it’s going to look dramatic.

Perhaps the device is pulling in a lot of current initially? Is this normal for the particular device? I don’t know. You would have to get the identical device and test it with that.

 

[AdmiralKirk]

Issues like this are rarely down to the adapter. They are more likely to be an issue with your home electrics and/or plug points.

 

[adrianlondon]

Push it in faster, and don't worry about it.

it's Christmas time, and sparkly lights are fun.

 

[CraigJDuffy]

This is the reason why in the UK we have individually switched outlets. This does happen to my adapters if plugged in without switching the plug off first though.

 

[n-evo]

When I plug in my adapter, there is an electric flash. Their argument is that it can happen because it is 140w. I requested a swap with the new one because it worried me. They accepted it but said that this could happen again with the new adapter. Has anyone encountered something like this? Is this really normal?

It happens from time to time with a 100 watt charger I own.

 

[AlixSPQR]

I experience the same frequently with different adapters, here in Sweden. I do believe we have the same numbers as OP in #3.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

This is the reason why in the UK we have individually switched outlets. This does happen to my adapters if plugged in without switching the plug off first though.

I don’t understand why this isn’t the norm everywhere honestly.

To OP, I get sparks from my Mac adapters whenever I don’t use the grounded 3 prong extension cord.

 

[Realityck]

When I plug in my adapter, there is an electric flash. Their argument is that it can happen because it is 140w. I requested a swap with the new one because it worried me. They accepted it but said that this could happen again with the new adapter. Has anyone encountered something like this? Is this really normal?

Perfectly normal

A small spark is normal. The type of power supply on laptops is a switched-mode power supply. With this type of device there is often an "inrush current*" that appears as a spark when the prongs of the plug first hit the receptacle contacts (spark usually appears in mid/higher end adapters where a capacitor is used to keep interference down, it is the capacitor that initiates the inrush current and causes the spark).

I see that across multiple higher watt capacity AC to DC power adapters, it will be more evident at times when the adapter hasn't been used from some time, its because of the way capacitors need to charge up quickly if not been used in awhile, versus if you unplug the adapter and plug it again within a short time into your AC receptacle or AC power strip.

*Inrush current is the maximal input current drawn by an electrical device when first turned on. Learn how capacitors, transformers, motors, heaters and lamps can have high inrush currents and how to protect them from overload and short-circuit faults.

 

[Realityck]

Perhaps the device is pulling in a lot of current initially? Is this normal for the particular device? I don’t know. You would have to get the identical device and test it with that.

Yes you figured it out correctly.

 

[cjsuk]

I don’t understand why this isn’t the norm everywhere honestly.

To OP, I get sparks from my Mac adapters whenever I don’t use the grounded 3 prong extension cord.

The switches do the same inside the plug facias. You just don't see it!

And yes this is completely normal. Inrush current as previously described. The primary filter capacitor when empty draws as much current as it can through the series resistance of the PFC and rectifier it can which can be quite a few amps.

 

[juju90]

When I plug in my adapter, there is an electric flash. Their argument is that it can happen because it is 140w. I requested a swap with the new one because it worried me. They accepted it but said that this could happen again with the new adapter. Has anyone encountered something like this? Is this really normal?


View attachment 2460039

1st of All make sure the cord is plugged into the adapter before plugging the adapter into the wall!!!

 

[Parowdy]

Happened hundreds of times to me with different Apple chargers, 5V‘s, 11 Pro USB C Fast Charger, MacBook Pro chargers, with many different outlets in different houses. Oh, in Germany, too.

 

[TechnoMonk]

If you have an adapter that draws as much power initially, it will spark if done in slow motion. I don’t see this on 110V but those level 2 domestic 240 V ev chargers can occasionally create sparks.luckily it’s lot lower as they have good grounding.

 

[familychoice]

This is the reason why in the UK we have individually switched outlets. This does happen to my adapters if plugged in without switching the plug off first though.

I find most Apple chargers have a tighter fit to the socket, than chargers by other manufacturers - my old MacBook Pro 2012 charger terrifies me, and my 2020 Intel MBP isn’t much better.

I always switch off the socket before plugging/unplugging.

 

[kwikdeth]

As a few people have said, it's inrush current. I've periodically experienced this for years on an 85w adapter with my old MBP 17".
It's "normal" but it's certainly not pleasant.

 

[The Apple Bitch]

It's perfectly normal, don't worry, it happens very frequently but just goes unnoticed most of the time. When you plug it in slowly and it's dark inside, the light becomes prominent.

 

[telepati]

Guys, I will not tag people one by one and write a separate response. As far as I understand, this is a normal behavior in power outlets and I see that there are many people like me who experience this. I understand that this does not cause any harm to the computer. I would like to thank each one of you for taking the time to address my concerns. Thank you all again.

 

[telepati]

Perfectly normal

I see that across multiple higher watt capacity AC to DC power adapters, it will be more evident at times when the adapter hasn't been used from some time, its because of the way capacitors need to charge up quickly if not been used in awhile, versus if you unplug the adapter and plug it again within a short time into your AC receptacle or AC power strip.

*Inrush current is the maximal input current drawn by an electrical device when first turned on. Learn how capacitors, transformers, motors, heaters and lamps can have high inrush currents and how to protect them from overload and short-circuit faults.

I said I wouldn't quote the messages, but I had to quote one of the answers for those who might encounter a similar situation in the future.

You explained it perfectly, this is exactly what happens. This happens especially on the first connection. If I don't plug in for an hour and plug it again, the spark occurs again. You explained it much better than the guy at the genius bar.

And you made all my concerns go away. Thank you again.