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Current leakage on newer MacBooks

I just got a 2020 MacBook Air, and noticed current leakage (a tingling feeling when touching the metal) which I never had with any other MacBook before. It's only mildly disturbing, but I suspect it's probably not healthy for the computer, either. Searching the internet, I found a number of suggestions pointing to faulty grounding of the household wiring. That may be true for some, but the wiring (in our house in Austria) is fine - properly grounded.


The problem is Apple's power adapter. The one that came with my new MB Air was 2-pronged - no ground connection. The power adapters up to now have always had a ground connection. The solution was simple: I replaced the plug on the new adapter (easily slides off) with one from an older adapter, and now there's no more current leakage. I can't understand why Apple ships a problematic plug with the new power adapters, when they used to ship a better cord, which is healthier for the Mac.

MacBook Air

Posted on Jul 5, 2020 4:32 PM

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Posted on Jul 5, 2020 4:57 PM

I'm not sure why but in the U.S. Apple ships power adapters with 2 prong plugs (and has since at least 2012 and probably earlier). They used to include an extension cable with Mac laptops and it does have a 3 prong plug. They are now only sold separately. Power Adapter Extension Cable - Apple


However I've never had a problem due to the 2 prong plug.

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Jul 5, 2020 4:57 PM in response to gbdoc

I'm not sure why but in the U.S. Apple ships power adapters with 2 prong plugs (and has since at least 2012 and probably earlier). They used to include an extension cable with Mac laptops and it does have a 3 prong plug. They are now only sold separately. Power Adapter Extension Cable - Apple


However I've never had a problem due to the 2 prong plug.

Current leakage on newer MacBooks

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