Comments on: Apple Notebook Power Adapters: Dangerous By Design? http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/ For Mac Geeks by Mac Geeks Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:28:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dan http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/comment-page-1/#comment-13496 Dan Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:02:06 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/#comment-13496 I have a powerbook that's two and a half years old and in class I smelt something burning and checked to see what it was. I saw that my power adapter had fried at the same spot as yours. It scared me because it could of set off a fire in the class room and more importantly I was concerned about getting electricuted. I've been concerned for a couple of years now about how hot these things run. Recently, a home in Vancouver Canada, at a fellow classmate's apartment building, caught fire because of a laptop that caught fire. I know that design of the powerbook uses the case to disperse heat and cool the laptop down but I question if it really is that good of an idea. I have a powerbook that’s two and a half years old and in class I smelt something burning and checked to see what it was. I saw that my power adapter had fried at the same spot as yours. It scared me because it could of set off a fire in the class room and more importantly I was concerned about getting electricuted. I’ve been concerned for a couple of years now about how hot these things run. Recently, a home in Vancouver Canada, at a fellow classmate’s apartment building, caught fire because of a laptop that caught fire. I know that design of the powerbook uses the case to disperse heat and cool the laptop down but I question if it really is that good of an idea.

]]> By: Mark http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/comment-page-1/#comment-13220 Mark Wed, 16 Aug 2006 08:25:31 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/#comment-13220 I've had this problem on two different bricks. The first was taken back to the Apple Store, where I was turned down by the "Genius", because he considered this to be "normal wear and tear". The manager was only slightly more helpful, actually replacing it after much polite persistence on my part, but he was pretty rude. He stopped just short of calling me a liar regarding how the damage occurred. (That was at the Grove Apple Store.) The other was replaced when I had to send in my Powerbook for a repair. I included a note with the laptop, asking the repair tech to take a look at the power adapter, told him he should have lunch on me, and taped a $10 bill to the note. When the Powerbook came back, there was a brand new brick! I don't think I should have had to have paid for a new one, but after my experience with the Apple Store, $10 was cheaper than the $30 I'd have to pay for a 3rd party replacement. It was also a calculated risk. Maybe the tech wouldn't have access to the adapters, or maybe he'd just have lunch without any quid pro quo. Anyway, big thanks to the tech, where ever he or she is. You restored a little bit of faith in me, and I hope you enjoyed your lunch. More recently, I purchased a 12" Powerbook, and the strain relief on the wire as it enters the AC adapter brick was beefier. So far I have had no problems. I’ve had this problem on two different bricks. The first was taken back to the Apple Store, where I was turned down by the “Genius”, because he considered this to be “normal wear and tear”. The manager was only slightly more helpful, actually replacing it after much polite persistence on my part, but he was pretty rude. He stopped just short of calling me a liar regarding how the damage occurred. (That was at the Grove Apple Store.)

The other was replaced when I had to send in my Powerbook for a repair. I included a note with the laptop, asking the repair tech to take a look at the power adapter, told him he should have lunch on me, and taped a $10 bill to the note. When the Powerbook came back, there was a brand new brick!

I don’t think I should have had to have paid for a new one, but after my experience with the Apple Store, $10 was cheaper than the $30 I’d have to pay for a 3rd party replacement. It was also a calculated risk. Maybe the tech wouldn’t have access to the adapters, or maybe he’d just have lunch without any quid pro quo.

Anyway, big thanks to the tech, where ever he or she is. You restored a little bit of faith in me, and I hope you enjoyed your lunch.

More recently, I purchased a 12″ Powerbook, and the strain relief on the wire as it enters the AC adapter brick was beefier. So far I have had no problems.

]]> By: anonymous http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/comment-page-1/#comment-13163 anonymous Tue, 15 Aug 2006 11:24:37 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/#comment-13163 I agree with the other poster, be very careful where the cable bends. In fact I don't even wrap my cable around the brick. Giving the cable slack and making sure when it is in use it has slack is very important. If the bend feels at all unnatural, stop. In addition, when you plug in the adapter, look directly at it as you push it in the port of the computer. The connector can be subject to bending and sometimes if misaligned can fall in if forced too hard. When you pull it out, pull it by the bulb. My adapters have lasted years without any issue. The lesson of the day here is slack. And perhaps when you consult with AppleCare about your brick let them know it should be clear in their instructions how much slack is needed to prevent failure. I agree with the other poster, be very careful where the cable bends. In fact I don’t even wrap my cable around the brick. Giving the cable slack and making sure when it is in use it has slack is very important. If the bend feels at all unnatural, stop. In addition, when you plug in the adapter, look directly at it as you push it in the port of the computer. The connector can be subject to bending and sometimes if misaligned can fall in if forced too hard. When you pull it out, pull it by the bulb. My adapters have lasted years without any issue. The lesson of the day here is slack. And perhaps when you consult with AppleCare about your brick let them know it should be clear in their instructions how much slack is needed to prevent failure.

]]> By: Ryan Ellerbe http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/comment-page-1/#comment-13114 Ryan Ellerbe Mon, 14 Aug 2006 20:34:35 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/#comment-13114 Well I never really noticed my macbook brick was getting really hot until last night. I have been just using the travel part to plug into the wall here at my house. They macbook had went to sleep due to the battery needing to be recharged. I went and plugged it in, and a hour later I came in the room and heard a buzzing noise. I realized it was the brick that was making the noise. When I touch it, it was really hot. Now I don't think it was to hot to start a fire, but it scared me. Well I decided to unplug it over night just to be safe. I now use the extention that comes with it and it seem to not get as hot. So please be careful when charging your macbook. You could wake up to a fire. Well I never really noticed my macbook brick was getting really hot until last night. I have been just using the travel part to plug into the wall here at my house. They macbook had went to sleep due to the battery needing to be recharged. I went and plugged it in, and a hour later I came in the room and heard a buzzing noise. I realized it was the brick that was making the noise. When I touch it, it was really hot. Now I don’t think it was to hot to start a fire, but it scared me. Well I decided to unplug it over night just to be safe. I now use the extention that comes with it and it seem to not get as hot. So please be careful when charging your macbook. You could wake up to a fire.

]]> By: Mike Talmadge http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/comment-page-1/#comment-13039 Mike Talmadge Sun, 13 Aug 2006 14:33:24 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/#comment-13039 From a design perspective, Apple (or any manufacture) has a tough obstacle to achieve with any electrical cord that is used in a day to day routine such as the Apple power supply. Any wire that is wrapped and unwrapped on a regular basis is subjected to failure, that is the nature of wire. The best method to prevent wire fatigue failures would be to not wrap and unwrap wire or at least keep it to a minimum, of course this might not be practical for everyone. I linked some pictures of some do's and dont's to help prevent these failures prematurely. This should help to extend the length of your power supply or any wires for that matter. http://www.flickr.com/photos/thoughtoutbiz/sets/72157594235100040/ From a design perspective, Apple (or any manufacture) has a tough obstacle to achieve with any electrical cord that is used in a day to day routine such as the Apple power supply. Any wire that is wrapped and unwrapped on a regular basis is subjected to failure, that is the nature of wire. The best method to prevent wire fatigue failures would be to not wrap and unwrap wire or at least keep it to a minimum, of course this might not be practical for everyone. I linked some pictures of some do’s and dont’s to help prevent these failures prematurely. This should help to extend the length of your power supply or any wires for that matter.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thoughtoutbiz/sets/72157594235100040/

]]> By: Stu Hamstra http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/comment-page-1/#comment-13036 Stu Hamstra Sun, 13 Aug 2006 13:56:43 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/#comment-13036 Actually had this problem with the power supply for my iBook about 3 years ago - while on an AMTRAK train to Boston. Even though it was plugged in, the battery wouldn't charge and I didn't see the frayed connecion (and a tiny spark when I wiggled it) until almost to Boston. Had to buy a new unit - 30 bucks - for just the small frayed connection. Fortunately I was on my way to a MAC expo so new unit was readily available (this was before APPLE STORES). Easy fix would be to make it possible to diconnect the wire from the unit just like the other end disconnects from the iBook. Actually had this problem with the power supply for my iBook about 3 years ago – while on an AMTRAK train to Boston. Even though it was plugged in, the battery wouldn’t charge and I didn’t see the frayed connecion (and a tiny spark when I wiggled it) until almost to Boston. Had to buy a new unit – 30 bucks – for just the small frayed connection. Fortunately I was on my way to a MAC expo so new unit was readily available (this was before APPLE STORES). Easy fix would be to make it possible to diconnect the wire from the unit just like the other end disconnects from the iBook.

]]> By: shane http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/comment-page-1/#comment-13024 shane Sun, 13 Aug 2006 05:22:03 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/#comment-13024 no problems here for 2-3 years except i ripped the cable apart by tripping over it while plugged in I have not heard of any issues and it is a fairly bold headline that there is a design fault.. another terrorist ? we dont need any more terror struck into our hearts unneceesarily no problems here for 2-3 years except i ripped the cable apart by tripping over it while plugged in I have not heard of any issues and it is a fairly bold headline that there is a design fault.. another terrorist ?
we dont need any more terror struck into our hearts unneceesarily

]]> By: Missy http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/comment-page-1/#comment-13019 Missy Sat, 12 Aug 2006 23:54:52 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/#comment-13019 My original iBook power supply cord frayed and then separated right where the plug is terminated on the iBook side. I had to buy a new one. The cable did not seem very sturdy unless you let your cable sit and never do things like pack your laptop in a backpack and take it places. For the Powerbook - I have noticed the plug at the laptop blinks and seems to have a bad connection, and it is warm but not hot to the touch. The brick also gets very hot when it's left on a cloth surface. I know the power supplies are designed for elegance as much as you can do with that kind of thing, but in the case of power and batteries I think safer is more important that prettier. My original iBook power supply cord frayed and then separated right where the plug is terminated on the iBook side. I had to buy a new one. The cable did not seem very sturdy unless you let your cable sit and never do things like pack your laptop in a backpack and take it places.

For the Powerbook – I have noticed the plug at the laptop blinks and seems to have a bad connection, and it is warm but not hot to the touch. The brick also gets very hot when it’s left on a cloth surface.

I know the power supplies are designed for elegance as much as you can do with that kind of thing, but in the case of power and batteries I think safer is more important that prettier.

]]> By: Galen Zink http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/comment-page-1/#comment-13018 Galen Zink Sat, 12 Aug 2006 23:34:50 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/#comment-13018 It appears the link to the full article got excluded from this post. Until Adam can fix it, here's the full article: http://zinkconsulting.com/dangerous-by-design/ It appears the link to the full article got excluded from this post. Until Adam can fix it, here’s the full article:
http://zinkconsulting.com/dangerous-by-design/

]]> By: Phillip http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/comment-page-1/#comment-13013 Phillip Sat, 12 Aug 2006 21:53:33 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2006/08/12/apple-notebook-power-adapters-dangerous-by-design/#comment-13013 My Powerbook is 2 to 3 years old and my power supply and the one for my wife's ibook stopped working withing weeks of each other. Being the sort of person I am, I took them appart to see what was wrong. I discovered that the rubber of the power cable itself had split inside and it was shorting out against itself just at the point that it leaves the actual power supply (I had noticed that the cable itself was getting very hot with use). This is clearly very dangerouse and could easily have lead to a similar (or worse) fire! Anyway, I cut the cable back and soldered it in and it has worked perfectly ever since (excpet of the fact it is held together with white insulating tape!) There clearly is a problem with these power supplies failing and they are bl@@dy expensive to replace but I'm not sure what Apple can do? Phillip My Powerbook is 2 to 3 years old and my power supply and the one for my wife’s ibook stopped working withing weeks of each other.
Being the sort of person I am, I took them appart to see what was wrong.
I discovered that the rubber of the power cable itself had split inside and it was shorting out against itself just at the point that it leaves the actual power supply (I had noticed that the cable itself was getting very hot with use). This is clearly very dangerouse and could easily have lead to a similar (or worse) fire!
Anyway, I cut the cable back and soldered it in and it has worked perfectly ever since (excpet of the fact it is held together with white insulating tape!)
There clearly is a problem with these power supplies failing and they are bl@@dy expensive to replace but I’m not sure what Apple can do?
Phillip

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