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My power cord melted and almost caused a fire. What do I do?
- Thread starter christall109
- Start date
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Here's my story:
My charger cable melted right at the base of the charger itself while sitting at the desk. I only realized that this was happening when I started smelling burned plastic. I called AppleCare and at first they were really apologetic and seemingly concerned about whether I had been physically harmed. So after 20 mins pointless chit-chat (I have to pay for this call!!!), they transferred my call to a technician who was supposed to look further into the matter. He asked me to send him some pictures- so I did. After 5s he concluded that this incident was due to normal wear and tear, probably caused by bending the chord to much. I then pointed out that the charger is actually DESIGNED with two hooks so you can strap the chord around- which I never do because that didn't seem to healthy for the cable! He insisted there was nothing he could do, especially because I was out of warranty. I pointed out that it was a common fault, at least the internet was full of reports aout melting chords and this was probably a design fault. Nada. I asked whether he could give me a discount as a courtesy. Nope-sorry, but have a nice day.
In the end I had to buy a new charger for 80 Euros! I must say I was really disappointed.
Now, my battery is acting goofy- 188 cycles and 54% health. The battery was only replaced by Apple a year ago and I just have the premonition that this time I will have to buy the new battery as well!
Rant over....
My charger cable melted right at the base of the charger itself while sitting at the desk. I only realized that this was happening when I started smelling burned plastic. I called AppleCare and at first they were really apologetic and seemingly concerned about whether I had been physically harmed. So after 20 mins pointless chit-chat (I have to pay for this call!!!), they transferred my call to a technician who was supposed to look further into the matter. He asked me to send him some pictures- so I did. After 5s he concluded that this incident was due to normal wear and tear, probably caused by bending the chord to much. I then pointed out that the charger is actually DESIGNED with two hooks so you can strap the chord around- which I never do because that didn't seem to healthy for the cable! He insisted there was nothing he could do, especially because I was out of warranty. I pointed out that it was a common fault, at least the internet was full of reports aout melting chords and this was probably a design fault. Nada. I asked whether he could give me a discount as a courtesy. Nope-sorry, but have a nice day.
In the end I had to buy a new charger for 80 Euros! I must say I was really disappointed.
Now, my battery is acting goofy- 188 cycles and 54% health. The battery was only replaced by Apple a year ago and I just have the premonition that this time I will have to buy the new battery as well!
Rant over....
My MBP has been running extremely hot lately. Hotter than normal. Do you think that could of had anything to do with it?
Im borrowing a friends charger for now, this incident happened a day ago and I am currently on my way to europe for 2 weeks. Will everything be ok when I get back? I know its an urgent issue but these things can't really delay a trip I've been planning for a while. I figured I'd deal with it when I got back.
Im borrowing a friends charger for now, this incident happened a day ago and I am currently on my way to europe for 2 weeks. Will everything be ok when I get back? I know its an urgent issue but these things can't really delay a trip I've been planning for a while. I figured I'd deal with it when I got back.
It didn't cause a fire
It didn't burn down the house
It apparently didn't even damage the computer
If it HAD, that would be a different story... but basing everything on what could have happened is tenuous
Woof, Woof - Dawg
Doesn't matter if it didn't. The potential hazard with the Magsafe is public knowledge and Apple doesn't and made zero public announcements of rectifying this troublesome issue. I don't want to wake up to burning smoke emiting from my MBP only to burst into flames catching my curtains on fire and spreading out. Apple would should fix this issue vs lawsuits.
The OP is lucky it didn't result into something worse as some others have encountered.
What are you talking about? How is it unethical to expect reparations for a life-threatening defect, that damaged the product in question?You don't think having a charger fail to the point of catching fire would damage the computer itself?
Unless I am mistaken, I think having your charger catch fire while it is plugged in will damage your computer.
Some people on here endlessly defend Apple to no end. It's really amusing...
"What? You expect a new computer because Apple sent you a cardboard box filled with Steve Wozniak's old toenail clippings? Well that isn't their fault...Furthermore, you are unethical for asking for anything but toenail clippings, and KARMA will get you."
I love Apple and I am really excited and looking forward to buying my new MBP next week, but c'mon...really?
If this were any other company, you would be the first ones posting what the sane members here are posting now.
It seems like if they are unwilling to look into this issue, it will take a class-action lawsuit to set what is wrong, right.
OK i really gotta ask this....did anyone mention a surge protecting outlet strip? I am beginning to think that as I read about burnt up power cords (AGAIN) more and more people are thinking about electronics rather than house electricity. Is anyone aware that a power strip that supplies 120 volts AC doesn't have an unlimited lifespan and in a few cases outlet strips are not all Underwriters Laboratory approved (especially if those among you happened to get a strip form China or some such place). I am no expert on software, I know well enough about hardware, but when it comes to electricity I know my **** and I would bet a decent strip with a proper surge protector would prevent a lot of these incidents even if the quality of the power supply after the electricity's voltage is stepped down.
You don't think having a charger fail to the point of catching fire would damage the computer itself?
Unless I am mistaken, I think having your charger catch fire while it is plugged in will damage your computer.
Some people on here endlessly defend Apple to no end. It's really amusing...
"What? You expect a new computer because Apple sent you a cardboard box filled with Steve Wozniak's old toenail clippings? Well that isn't their fault...Furthermore, you are unethical for asking for anything but toenail clippings, and KARMA will get you."
I love Apple and I am really excited and looking forward to buying my new MBP next week, but c'mon...really?
If this were any other company, you would be the first ones posting what the sane members here are posting now.
It seems like if they are unwilling to look into this issue, it will take a class-action lawsuit to set what is wrong, right.
i couldnt care less for apple
i just find it amusing how some members think there are entitled to a whole new computer for a frayed wire that didnt even impact the computer
sane members? lol right.
its very sane to believe a malfunction in an adapter warrants a brand new computer......./sarcasm
people and their entitlement issues amuse me to no end
Ok, nice attempt however, a defective product no matter how you dress it up still remains a defective product. So your solution (if it works is questionable at best) is to bring a powerstrip with us where ever we go? LOL! Go right ahead and bring that powerstrip with you to a coffee joint and look like a fool. No product should require a band-aid solution.
I am very happy something tragic did not happen with the OP
However, even though we have heard of a few instances, I seriously doubt this is a systemic problem. We are not privy to all of the mitigating circumstances in every case either.
I am not clearing Apple of their responsibilities, but I think there are ways to address this short of some of the suggestions being made here.
Woof, Woof - Dawg
I am very happy something tragic did not happen with the OP
However, even though we have heard of a few instances, I seriously doubt this is a systemic problem. We are not privy to all of the mitigating circumstances in every case either.
I am not clearing Apple of their responsibilities, but I think there are ways to address this short of some of the suggestions being made here.
Woof, Woof - Dawg
I am no condoning anything anyone suggested.
I am simply voicing my strong belief that it is a problem and it does exist. God forbid anyone one of us becomes another statistic. The least Apple can do is address the public and let who may be at risk (year/model) or give us guidelines for proper usage to reduce risk. I don't want to put anyone at risk if I leave my notebook plugged in charging and it randomly starts burning because of a defective charger. Would you want that? Of course not.
I remember reading about one guy who feel asleep and woke to his notebook burning...I always fall asleep with my notebook next to me...No thanks for burnt face and body either.
i couldnt care less for apple
i just find it amusing how some members think there are entitled to a whole new computer for a frayed wire that didnt even impact the computer
sane members? lol right.
its very sane to believe a malfunction in an adapter warrants a brand new computer......./sarcasm
people and their entitlement issues amuse me to no end
#1: I wasn't even talking to you. I was done with you a long time ago with your fallacious reasoning and lack of comprehension skills.
#2: It is they're not there
#3: It was not just a frayed wire. This is a similar problem many customers have where the charger/wire that connects to the computer and charges the computer (provides an electrical current to the computer) fails, melts, catches fire, etc. If you think that it will not damage the rest of the computer, I don't know what to tell you.
#4: If you think that an emoticon makes your argument any more persuasive or poignant, then I feel bad for you.
#5: Furthermore, this type of damage is not a minor issue. We are not talking about a scratch on the lid. We are talking about an issue that can kill people.
I don't understand what you gain from your perspective. We are trying to protect ourselves here as customers. I didn't tell anyone to demand free stuff just for the sake of cheating a company.
I hope you know that by now, Apple has already hired a team of professionals to investigate the issue from a technical perspective, and a team of consultants to calculate the cost to them for issuing a safety recall and just not doing a damn thing about it. They are now balancing how they will profit the most from the situation, factoring in the bad press gained from the incidents.
If there is no recall issued, I guarantee you that the unethical practices are not on the parts of innocent consumers falling victim to their (premium) products catching on fire.
You keep downplaying the situation saying that it is simply a defective charger--as if the only problem is that it stopped working. True, it stopped working--but because it caught on fire and it poses a fire threat.
That's what we call a straw-man argument.
I would love to know what your reaction would be if you charger failed and burned your house down and killed your family. Would you still just want a free charger? Sure, this has not happened yet to anyone (thank goodness) but the point is that we are trying to prevent it from happening by getting Apple's attention and telling them we won't take unsafe products.
you act as this is a common issue
where's your source?
you need to realize NOTHING in the manufacturing world is perfect. A few cases does not warrant a class action lawsuit or a recall
If it is a systemic issue, then its warranted.
i am not the one suggesting a brand new computer as a result of a frayed wire. id call that unreasonable logic. also, id stay away from boarderline insults....
oh but it didnt damage the rest of the computer. stop acting like it did in this case
well you sure do like to use them lol.......
exaggerate much?
the fact is it didnt
you imply a new computer is proper compensation. it isnt
also, any device that has used an electrical wire has failed in this manner before. i gurantee it. stop acting like this is a ststemic issue needing a recall
show me the evidence it is systemic if you want me to support your claims
speculate much? unless its systemic, they will not be a recall lol
realize no manufactured product is defect free....especially one that is mass produced on a scale of millions
and what source do you have to know of it being NOT a systemic issue?
thought so.
at least there are sources and people reporting of an issue exisiting. how extensive is anyones guess untill Apple says something.
thanks for trying though.
for one thing, a recall has to do with a defect in manafacturing...in this case there is none, does your adapter have this issue? i have owned 10+ magsafe adapters with no issues....defect....i think not.
maybe he pinched his magsafe wire under a chair...i dont know....
#5....your right it can kill people...but so can cars...lawn mowers...knifes...guns....you want to recall those too ?
duke is right, stop blowing these things out of proportion...
Perhaps, however companies have their products manufactured from multiple facilities. When a company issues a recall not everyone is affected - but, its a better safe than sorry approach. Some recalls don't occur right away either and some companies try to ride it out to save face.
Seriously. Forget about this guy. He is obviously not worth the time.
There was a website that documented many many people that had issues with the magsafe charger.
what a silly argument
to say we should recall but not prove its a systemic issue
unbelievable
thats not how it works by a long shot
thank you for trying
so your proof of this being a massive widespread issue is a website that you cant seem to dig up that may, just ,may, have a couple hundred incidences of this happening?
we dont even know how they treated their cables and you want to immediatly throw the blame on apple?
unless its a fundamental design defect, there is no basis for a recall. please understand that
really now man? ...
that is a horrible example...and not even remotely connected. that is just improper use and act of neglience on the users behalf. plugging in an adapter to a notebook should not fit in that category at all.
umm...news flash! if enough consumers complaining and bringing it to the companys attention does prompt them to investigate the issue resulting in a recall. it does and has happened. who is to say Apple is not currently investigating the matter?
that is how it can work.
thanks for trying...again
Yes, if a lawnmower has a defect that caused it to catch fire and it's blades to fly out potentially decapitating people...i'd expect a recall.
If a car burst into flames while it was just sitting in my garage, i'd expect a recall.
If a gun exploded in my hand when I shot it, I'd expect a recall.
No one said all magsafe connectors have the issue. That isn't the point of a recall. It's not to say, hey, every item we manufactured has this defect. It is to say that there is a chance that a good number of them have a problem, and this problem is serious enough to warrant the fixing of that problem.
exactly what problem do you guys seem to have with this?
Do you defend the Ford Pinto issue too?
My point was never that he absolutely deserves a new computer. My point, if anyone took the time to read it, was that if this is a systemic life-threatening problem that Apple needs to take care of it. Try reading.
BTW: Every earbud I have owned has frayed/fallen apart at exactly the same points as the magsafe connector.
Show me the proof it is a systemic issue. We have 3+years of computers using these adapters. Should be tons of cases if it is infact a design flaw
As a very active member on this board, I have not come across any story or rumor that this is a massive issue
Stop implying there is without providing sources
Please understand the concept of fundamental design flaws as a cause of the problem vs anomalies.
The point of a recall is to compensate for a fundamental design problem inherent to all devices.
finally we agree. yes IF it is a systemic design issue
you have to prove it first. there is NO indication it is
As I've stated before, my only argument is that Apple needs to look into the matter for the safety of its consumers. Simply replacing the defective part, and ignoring the issue is not an adequate solution for a potential safety issue.
And for those people who continue to argue with me about what they THINK are recalls, or what they THINK is what actually happens in business/law/society, maybe you should read more about safety recalls:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_recall
Am I saying that a recall is absolutely warranted? No. Again, I said they need to investigate the issue and determine what the appropriate course of action is.
If you have a problem with my point, good luck with life.
And for those people who continue to argue with me about what they THINK are recalls, or what they THINK is what actually happens in business/law/society, maybe you should read more about safety recalls:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_recall
Am I saying that a recall is absolutely warranted? No. Again, I said they need to investigate the issue and determine what the appropriate course of action is.
If you have a problem with my point, good luck with life.
http://www.appledefects.com/?cat=33
Here's a site with some info.
Of particular interest is the story where it was determined after an investigation that a Dell computer with a similar problem caused a fire and burned down a house.
Also, a newly designed magsafe adapter that seems to address the issue--indicating Apple has taken some steps to resolve the issue (and that they admit there is a problem).
There was another site with much more info.
Oh yeah, no damage to the computer at all...
That'll buff right out.
I kinda like my laptop toasty.
And I am not bashing Apple. In fact, I support them as they have been taking the right steps to resolve the issue for many people.
Some people on here seem to think that replacing the laptop is not an appropriate course of action--or that it is unethical, unreasonable, illogical...
Well, I would like you to all know that Apple has chosen to replace the laptops for many consumers whom have had the problem--that they have deemed it as the course of action they want to take:
So I support them, and I still love Apple products. If you have a problem with their choice, then you can call them and tell them to stop replacing the laptops, because it bothers you so much.
I've had the wiring fray on my ipod earbuds at exactly the same place that the magsafe connector is catching on fire/fraying/ripping/melting.
This has happened 3 time with 3 different earbuds. Apple was very nice the first time and didn't ask anything and gave me a brand new set without even checking if I was in-warranty. I thanked the guy at the store, and left satisfied. I did NOT demand a new ipod, because no damage occured to my ipod and my safety was not put at risk.
The same thing happened to the replacement part. Actually, this part was even worse because the rubber grips on the ears tore off too. I went into the store, but this time they did not replace it. So I bought the new $80.00 earbuds thinking the quality would be better.
Nope. Same thing happened to these earbuds. Luckily, they replaced these when I took them back with a new set. I just started using the new set last night. Hope it works out, because these are $80.
Apple has been very good to me thus far in resolving the issues, but I think they should look into the issue with the covering they are using. It looks like they have allready done so.
Here's a site with some info.
Of particular interest is the story where it was determined after an investigation that a Dell computer with a similar problem caused a fire and burned down a house.
Also, a newly designed magsafe adapter that seems to address the issue--indicating Apple has taken some steps to resolve the issue (and that they admit there is a problem).
There was another site with much more info.
Oh yeah, no damage to the computer at all...
That'll buff right out.
I kinda like my laptop toasty.
And I am not bashing Apple. In fact, I support them as they have been taking the right steps to resolve the issue for many people.
Some people on here seem to think that replacing the laptop is not an appropriate course of action--or that it is unethical, unreasonable, illogical...
Well, I would like you to all know that Apple has chosen to replace the laptops for many consumers whom have had the problem--that they have deemed it as the course of action they want to take:
So I support them, and I still love Apple products. If you have a problem with their choice, then you can call them and tell them to stop replacing the laptops, because it bothers you so much.
I've had the wiring fray on my ipod earbuds at exactly the same place that the magsafe connector is catching on fire/fraying/ripping/melting.
This has happened 3 time with 3 different earbuds. Apple was very nice the first time and didn't ask anything and gave me a brand new set without even checking if I was in-warranty. I thanked the guy at the store, and left satisfied. I did NOT demand a new ipod, because no damage occured to my ipod and my safety was not put at risk.
The same thing happened to the replacement part. Actually, this part was even worse because the rubber grips on the ears tore off too. I went into the store, but this time they did not replace it. So I bought the new $80.00 earbuds thinking the quality would be better.
Nope. Same thing happened to these earbuds. Luckily, they replaced these when I took them back with a new set. I just started using the new set last night. Hope it works out, because these are $80.
Apple has been very good to me thus far in resolving the issues, but I think they should look into the issue with the covering they are using. It looks like they have allready done so.
Call apple and complain, and see what you can get out of it. That's really all you can do about a mishap like this. Personally I would certainly demand any damages be compensated. Other than that, I wouldn't try doing anything frivolous. fair is fair.