Mac or Outlet, which side should be plugged in first?

[gigi11192]

which side of the the power adapter should you connect first? A is for the end to your Macbook(pro or other portable ones), B is for the other end to an electrical outlet.

Before you turn on your MacBook, first you should connect A or B
and what about turning off your MacBook? and why would that be?

does it do sort of harm to the Macbook when you do not do it appropriately.

this may be quite a simple question, but i really have no idea theoretically. Can anyone educate me please.

 

[Glumpfner]

Well it normally doesn't matter.

But some far fetched stories would be that if you plug in the plug first, the other end has technically power, and if you drop the mac end into water, or fiddle around with it and stick metal objects in it, you might get a surprise

Apart from that, I don't think it matters nor does it do any harm to your MacBook if you plug in either way first.

 

[Nein01]

Always plug the cord into your MacBook first, then into the wall. Do the reverse when unplugging: wall first, then unplug from laptop.

Reason is because if there's a spark, you want it to happen inside the electrical outlet, not inside your Mac.

 

[Glumpfner]

Always plug the cord into your MacBook first, then into the wall. Do the reverse when unplugging: wall first, then unplug from laptop.

Reason is because if there's a spark, you want it to happen inside the electrical outlet, not inside your Mac.

But then again, if there's a spark, and there is no grounding prong (like the US plugs) there is a chance you'll electrocute yourself as well as the macbook, since it's already connected.

But in reality, those things almost never happen. EU and UK plugs all have a grounding prong to prevent sparks and electrocuting yourself. US plugs don't have that, so the chances might be higher there.

 

[gigi11192]

Always plug the cord into your MacBook first, then into the wall. Do the reverse when unplugging: wall first, then unplug from laptop.

Reason is because if there's a spark, you want it to happen inside the electrical outlet, not inside your Mac.

thanks for the reply

but what i saw from the manual () is like this

Step 1: Plug in the 60W MagSafe Power Adapter to provide power to the
MacBook Pro and charge the battery.Make sure the AC plug is fully inserted into the power adapter and the electrical prongs on your AC plug are in their completely extended position. Insert the AC plug of your power adapter into a power outlet and the MagSafe connector into the MagSafe power port. As the MagSafe connector gets close to the port, you’ll feel a magnetic pull drawing it in.

and i saw another manual named "Portables Fast Start: The New User's Guide to Apple Notebooks"(http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2788) it said:
Carefully remove your Mac portable from the box and place it on a sturdy table or work surface. Then locate the power adapter that came with your Mac, connect the appropriate end to your computer, and plug the other end into a working electrical outlet. Your battery should begin charging. If you already have access to the Internet, connect your Ethernet cable or phone line to the appropriate port on your Mac if you're wired, or do nothing if you have access to a wireless network and have AirPort already installed in your new Mac.

Confused.....

Well it normally doesn't matter.

But some far fetched stories would be that if you plug in the plug first, the other end has technically power, and if you drop the mac end into water, or fiddle around with it and stick metal objects in it, you might get a surprise

Apart from that, I don't think it matters nor does it do any harm to your MacBook if you plug in either way first.

that might be the last surprise i want ,haha

well, take a look at the link above. I am really confused. What the heck is the right way to do..

 

[GGJstudios]

well, take a look at the link above. I am really confused. What the heck is the right way to do..

That's not giving you instructions as to the order, or they would have said FIRST plug into one end THEN plug into the other. It's only telling you to do both. It makes absolutely no difference whatsoever which end you plug in first.

 

[RT2020]

But in reality, those things almost never happen. EU and UK plugs all have a grounding prong to prevent sparks and electrocuting yourself. US plugs don't have that, so the chances might be higher there.

Actually, all US (North American) plugs are three prong grounded unless they are old (like several decades old). Also the voltage in the US (North America) is half that of Europe... so a shock in the US is far less likely or injure or kill you.

As for the original poster, you might be over thinking things at bit.

 

[AdamRock]

it doesn't matter which you plug in first.

 

[pyroza]

But then again, if there's a spark, and there is no grounding prong (like the US plugs) there is a chance you'll electrocute yourself as well as the macbook, since it's already connected.

But in reality, those things almost never happen. EU and UK plugs all have a grounding prong to prevent sparks and electrocuting yourself. US plugs don't have that, so the chances might be higher there.

What? Most US plugs have a grounding prong, including the MB charger...

Also OP, you are definitely overthinking this. It doesn't matter at all.

 

[skiltrip]

Honestly I've never thought about it, nor am I going to start thinking about it.

 

[shttngdcknps]

It doesn't matter what end you plug in first, but you should always check the outlet before plugging anything in first. Just take a knife or a screwdriver and stick it in the socket.

....but don't actually do that second part.

 

[NickZac]

I would assume the computer has some regulation mechanism. It is more important regarding what outlet you plug your MBP into as opposed to the order. Always have a surge protector w/ GFI and voltage regulation to protect your expensive electronics.

 

[gigi11192]

That's not giving you instructions as to the order, or they would have said FIRST plug into one end THEN plug into the other. It's only telling you to do both. It makes absolutely no difference whatsoever which end you plug in first.

well, thanks anyway.
maybe it doesnt matter at all.

 

[croooow]

Get a friend to help you plug them in at the same time. Like those guys turning the keys in missile silos.

 

[skiltrip]

It doesn't matter what end you plug in first, but you should always check the outlet before plugging anything in first. Just take a knife or a screwdriver and stick it in the socket.

....but don't actually do that second part.

Careful with this kinda stuff. lol. People seldom read a postscript. If there's suddenly an outbreak of electrocutions by butter knife you'll know where the blame lies. It'll also get a lot quieter around here.

 

[brammp]

Actually, all US (North American) plugs are three prong grounded unless they are old (like several decades old). Also the voltage in the US (North America) is half that of Europe... so a shock in the US is far less likely or injure or kill you.

As for the original poster, you might be over thinking things at bit.

Volts has nothing to do with it. It's the amps that will kill you.

 

[brammp]

It doesn't matter the order. There's a reason they designed the MagSafe in the first place - to accommodate accidental disconnects and reconnects.

 

[aCondor]

If you don't plug in both simultaneously your Apple computer will break. If you want to turn off your computer, pull both plugs out at the exact same time. This can only be done during full moons and while solar flares are occurring so be mindful of these phenomena.

 

[gigi11192]

If you don't plug in both simultaneously your Apple computer will break. If you want to turn off your computer, pull both plugs out at the exact same time. This can only be done during full moons and while solar flares are occurring so be mindful of these phenomena.

i will try to do that, hope your mac does not break so soon

 

[henry999]

In the old days, at least, the instructions from Apple were explicit: first into the wall, then into the computer.


Macintosh PowerBook User's Manual (034-0426-A)

© 1998

[This is the one that came with my Wallstreet.]

Chapter 1, 'Setting Up'

page 20, 'Plugging In the Computer'

1. Plug one end of the power cord into the power adapter and the other
end into an outlet or power strip.

2. Plug the power adapter plug into the power adapter port (marked with
the icon ...) on the back of the computer.

______

In the absence of reasons to the contrary, I have continued to follow this practice.

cheers,

Henry

 

[ryanrich]

Haha, it doesn't matter, just plug it in and let it be...

 

[gigi11192]

In the old days, at least, the instructions from Apple were explicit: first into the wall, then into the computer.


Macintosh PowerBook User's Manual (034-0426-A)

© 1998

[This is the one that came with my Wallstreet.]

Chapter 1, 'Setting Up'

page 20, 'Plugging In the Computer'

1. Plug one end of the power cord into the power adapter and the other
end into an outlet or power strip.

2. Plug the power adapter plug into the power adapter port (marked with
the icon ...) on the back of the computer.

______

In the absence of reasons to the contrary, I have continued to follow this practice.

cheers,

Henry

Thank you so much for your kindness, Henry.

 

[snaky69]

It doesn't matter one bit.

If either end is unplugged, no electricity is going through as the circuit is open. Plugging either end first will not change anything to that.

If you fear getting electrocuted, maybe you should check your outlet is properly grounded and move on.

 

[deeddawg]

Volts has nothing to do with it. It's the amps that will kill you.

Although the second part is true, the first part isn't.

Skin resistance is a key factor and the current flow (amperage) depends on both voltage and resistance. Assuming resistance the same, voltage governs the amps that flow. Simple example: touch both terminals of a common 9 volt battery with your dry fingers. You feel nothing. Touch both terminals with your tongue, you get a tingle. Wet skin has a lower resistance. This is part of why 120V on dry skin is a pain but likely won't hurt you; 120V when you're soaking wet can kill. 220V gets a bit more dicey, as more current will flow across the same resistance. This is a very simplified example, there's a lot more to this stuff -- such as what the current path is and whether it crosses your heart. (I remember hearing guidance for keeping your left hand in your back pocket when working on old style televisions to try to prevent the current path from crossing through the chest.)

So... don't plug in your macbook adapter while in the bathtub and you'll be just fine.

To the topic -- it really shouldn't matter which end you plug in first. Commonly I just plug in the adapter to the wall outlet first since it's usually the more difficult to get to, then plug the adapter to the macbook when sitting down

 

[croooow]

In the old days, at least, the instructions from Apple were explicit: first into the wall, then into the computer...In the absence of reasons to the contrary, I have continued to follow this practice.

I don't think the instructions from a much older model would carry over, but since there is nothing that states that your order of operations is incorrect for current Macs that is not a bad way to go.