Why aren't MacBook and iPhone adapters grounded/earthed?

[JPack]

It's a matter of cost. Most higher quality chargers will be 3 prong for safety.

This 130W from Lenovo is a good example.

 

[Tagbert]

It's a matter of cost. Most higher quality chargers will be 3 prong for safety.

This 130W from Lenovo is a good example.
View attachment 2137186View attachment 2137187

In the US there are regulations that allow ungrounded plugs for lower power devices but require it for higher power like that multi-port box. I don’t recall what the cutoff point is.

 

[Madonion]

these remarks about not earthed/grounded are a complete minefield I will talk ONLY about the UK as I am not totally familiar with the USA system with its centre tapped 220 vac 110 vac for household goods two phase 220 vac for heavy loas . that being said Back to the UK we have a standard that states any exposed metal parts must be earthed . but if the equipment is double insulated and has no external metal parts it does not need to be earthed . UNLESS you have access to the drawings PCB layout showing the isolation slots etc you cannot be sure of your assumption .

so BUY the OEM charger for the country that you intend to use it in ,DO NOT buy a cheap knock off charger they are not the same inside

sorry to come over strong on this but in my working life as an Electrical engineer I have seen some horrific imports . I was responsible for ensuring that PAT. testing was done and documented at my last job as a engineer looking after large HVAC / power for a UK banks main computer centre

I note that people have noted that in the USA ( low power units may be un grounded ) may I point out with respect . "it's the volts that jolt and the mills that kills " mills refer to milliamps you only need 20 milliamps across your arms to meet your maker , yes your 110vac is safer than the UK 24vac but it will KILL

another thought with ref to grounds and computer equipment , as a few of you may know that the IBM mainframe of the day ran off 208vac at 400HZ ( smaller transformers and lower ripple) well we ran rotary converters ( 6 in total) As a test two solid state converters ( inverters , ac to dc then regenerated back to the 208 ac and 400HZ) ,well the mainframes had dropouts we were call to do same tests we put a scope on the main earth nest and found odd order harmonics present , at my request the solid state converters be shut down , result good clean earth . moral of this is that noise can come into your systems though the earth conductor

 

[lixuelai]

Safety is a pointless argument. The Apple adapters are designed with a ground. It is only that the duckheads don't connect it. Even if there is some knockoff duckhead with the ground connected it is highly unlikely to be less safe. It is no different compared to using a travel adapter. Sure if you buy some cheap chargers the quality may be suspect. But that has nothing to do with how Apple implements its duckheads. You can just as easily purchase a high-quality charger with the proper grounding.

I use the extension cable to avoid the buzzing problem. Its a good enough solution when not traveling. Travel is better with GaN chargers anyway.

 

[Bento.Box]

I think it's also done for convenience reasons.

A 2 connector plug will work in multiple countries and universal outlets without adapters. On some vehicles/installations, the inverter does by design not offer a grounded outlet because it isn't.

That said, I have experienced semi-dangerous issues with ungrounded laptops (non-apple) in the past, so safety-wise, it isn't the best design.

 

[JPack]

If you want to kid yourself and say, "it's a DC device, it's no safer with 3 prong," that's fine. But for people who want facts, here's what Apple includes in the box:

• Apple TV - 2 prong
• Mac mini - 2 prong
• iMac - 3 prong
• Mac Studio - 3 prong

If 3-prong weren't safer, Apple wouldn't be including it with more expensive products.