HT201600: Mac notebooks: Reducing cable strain on your MagSafe power adapter

Learn about Mac notebooks: Reducing cable strain on your MagSafe power adapter
psu_rjr

Q: You fail to mention Apple's poor choice of material to coat the power cord which is fragile and breaks apart often.

I've replaced my Macbook's Magsafe power cord three times now because the coating crumbles apart. Does Apple guarantee the quality of material so I can get another replacement without having to buy a forth power supply?

power cord coating crumbles

Posted on Aug 21, 2016 6:52 PM

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Q: You fail to mention Apple's poor choice of material to coat the power cord which is fragile and breaks apart often.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by ckuan,

    ckuan ckuan Aug 21, 2016 6:57 PM in response to psu_rjr
    Level 7 (33,190 points)
    Aug 21, 2016 6:57 PM in response to psu_rjr

    Can't be solved here in this user to user technical forum.

    Use the Apple feedback:

    http://www.apple.com/feedback

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Aug 21, 2016 9:45 PM in response to psu_rjr
    Level 8 (38,877 points)
    Aug 21, 2016 9:45 PM in response to psu_rjr

    Do you happen to pull the power cord by tugging on the cord instead of the solid plastic end-piece?

     

    That would not be a good idea if you happen to do that.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 21, 2016 11:38 PM in response to psu_rjr
    Level 6 (14,244 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 21, 2016 11:38 PM in response to psu_rjr

    Environmental issues or products in the vicinity of the computer, power adapter, on

    your hands, that may contribute to the problematic power adapter cable failures as

    you state, may be worth looking into.

     

    Certain chemicals or other products can interact, degrade or attack synthetic rubber

    or other similar coatings on electrical cabling. Sometimes I carefully choose a cleaning

    product that won't damage the cable coatings, and clean them. And at some other time

    I may also coat cables with Armor-all or other protective product, apply with clean cloth.

     

    Third-party or clone parts may exhibit odd behaviours or degradation, so should be

    inspected often; and upgraded to a better quality product. If an official product shows

    sign of odd wear or defect outside natural wear, ask an Apple store expert or genius.

     

    • Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters - Apple Support

     

    see search for other ideas:

    https://www.google.com/search?q=ifixit+repair+MagSafe

     

    If under a year & a new product shows physical failure, I'd first consider an environmental cause.

    Proper care and handling, pro-active or preventative maintenance, could help sustain the items.

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!