Power vibrations through laptop, over whole body...?!

So for years I have noticed all Apple Laptops have a strange vibration around the mouse pad when brushing fingers lightly over it. Ive never liked it, but just accepted it. For those interested, I also learnt that its because apple plugs aren't earthed.


Anyway, today while my girlfriend was using it, I went up to her and stroked her forehead and got the vibration through her! All over her body gave this vibration. Down her arms, legs, face - everywhere.


While this was happening, she was unable to feel the vibration around the mousepad like normal (although I still could) - so its almost like she is absorbing the power and unable to feel it. When she took the Macbook off her lap and put it down, she could feel the vibration around the mousepad again - and of the course I could no longer feel the vibration in her body until she put it back on her lap.


Is this safe... from a health perspective? Should i be worried that with too much usage, my girlfriend will turn into some kind of X-Man?

Posted on Jul 20, 2020 6:04 AM

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Posted on Jul 20, 2020 6:16 AM

This "fuzzy" feeling happens indeed because Apple's chargers aren't grounded/earthed. It will go away completely if you use a Power Adapter Extension Cable with your charger, available in the official Apple Store.


It's safe, it's a very small voltage, it's below the strict safety standards that governments set. Our skin is just pretty sensitive to it.

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Jul 20, 2020 6:16 AM in response to theviewer1985

This "fuzzy" feeling happens indeed because Apple's chargers aren't grounded/earthed. It will go away completely if you use a Power Adapter Extension Cable with your charger, available in the official Apple Store.


It's safe, it's a very small voltage, it's below the strict safety standards that governments set. Our skin is just pretty sensitive to it.

Jul 20, 2020 7:39 AM in response to theviewer1985

A portable Mac's case itself is not grounded (earthed) nor is there any regulatory requirement for it to be. The reason you perceive that sensation is that the enclosure is capacitively coupled to ground. The capacitance is such that it is impossible for it to carry sufficient current to pose any harm, but it is far more noticeable with 240V electrical systems than it is with 120V systems such as in the United States. When you touch the Mac you become part of that circuit. Think of it as becoming one with your Mac.


That design aspect is quite common among electronic devices. It makes electromagnetic interference with other devices less likely—which is a regulatory requirement.


Just make sure your Mac's power adapters are genuine Apple devices. Counterfeit devices are very common and very dangerous. If you have the slightest doubt follow BobTheFisherman's advice and bring your Mac and its power adapters to Apple to be evaluated for safety and authenticity.

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Power vibrations through laptop, over whole body...?!

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