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Other Using non apple chargers/cables
- Thread starter kat.hayes
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Yes buy from a reputed company like amazon or anker and you should be fine.
The potential for fire would be from a defective or improperly made charger and isn't specific to iPhone. I would caution against buying really cheap chargers (The part that plugs into the wall) because if they short out you could be in for a 120 or 220 volt mains surprise. Cables will just stop working if you buy cheap and the voltage is low unless the charger shorts out. I buy Belkin, Anker, etc. For cables the one I have now is a cheap Walmart brand one and it seems to work fine.
Apple sells Mophie charging cables, and I just bought one for my iPad. I also have an Amazon Basic cable for my iPhone. I have no qualms or concerns about fire hazards from either of these brands. I had an Anker phone cable that split at the lightning end after about 6 months.
It's not sufficient that you paid a lot for a charger. Rather, you should make sure all chargers you buy are certified/listed by a competent test lab.
In the US, this would be UL, Intertek/ETL, or some minor labs like TUV Sud. There will be a logo with C and US on either side of it.
Big-box retail stores like Wal-Mart require such safety certifications, but Amazon doesn't care. It may be better to buy such accessories in a store rather than through Amazon because they have better quality control and anti-counterfeiting.
In the US, this would be UL, Intertek/ETL, or some minor labs like TUV Sud. There will be a logo with C and US on either side of it.
Big-box retail stores like Wal-Mart require such safety certifications, but Amazon doesn't care. It may be better to buy such accessories in a store rather than through Amazon because they have better quality control and anti-counterfeiting.
I use Kodiak cables. They are the only ones I like outside of original Apple chargers and cables. Don't buy cheap, you are only asking for trouble. That or you will continually have to replace them due to failure. In the end it's better to spend a little more.
Anker and Ravpower are my current chargers for all things Apple. Anker (primary) and Amazon Basics (not used alot, but have held up for years) for my cables.
These all show up on sale alot on Amazon, so maybe not cheapest, but can get at a decent price.
And an FYI, if one wants to see if a brand/model is MFi:
These all show up on sale alot on Amazon, so maybe not cheapest, but can get at a decent price.
And an FYI, if one wants to see if a brand/model is MFi:
While the short thin genuine Apple lightning cable that comes with every iPhone is utter crap, the 6ft Apple lightning cable you can buy sepately is very good. It's thicker and uses larger gauge wires and passes more current- iPhone charges faster. Also it's stronger at the plug end and doesn't break/fray at the cable/plug junction.
The recent cable I bought from amazon is an amazon basic branded and is built like a tank.
AmazonBasics Double Braided Nylon... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0753G7SJ5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
AmazonBasics Double Braided Nylon... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0753G7SJ5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Mine still frayed after 2 years lol but I agree it's a bit higher quality. I went with a 6ft Anker and it's still looks brand new
Nobody can point to any particular brand of charger, including Apple, and say with certainty that it will never ever be a fire hazard. But I'm a septuagenarian and lifelong gadget nut and I've never known a charger self destruct. Could happen tomorrow, I suppose.
I had a $10 Chinese 45W charger for my PowerBook catch on fire at a Starbucks once. I know we're talking iPhones here, but I think the same principle applies. It's more likely to happen with chargers and cables that don't meet the specifications.
USB charger blamed for woman's electrocution
A poor quality USB charger is being blamed for the death of a woman who was electrocuted in New South Wales earlier this year.