Level 1

24 points

Feeling electric current on MacBook Pro M1 with charger plugged in

It seems that the UK version of the Macbook Pro M1 is no longer delivered with a properly grounded extension cable with the charger, but rather with a small UK plug directly connected to the charging block. However, that plug is not grounded.

As a result I'm experiencing an extreme unpleasant electric tingling when touching the Macbook Pro when the charger is connected. It is really an annoying sensation. Considering the price of Euro 3000 for this top of the line product, I find it amazing that Apple saved at this vital point of electric safety.

I have attached the image of the plug coming with the box (bottom) and next to it (above) a wire from an older touch bar model. The latter clearly shows the grounding pins, which are missing in the plug. When using the extension from the older Macbook, the electric current is gone. So it is clearly the missing grounding causing the sensation of electric current on the casing.

Tomorrow I will visit the Apple store, let's see what they have to say. I will update the posting accordingly.

I'm seriously not impressed.

Posted on Aug 10, 2023 3:02 PM

Top-ranking reply

landscape_artist

Level 1

26 points

Posted on Feb 21, 2024 4:28 AM

The "tingly" sensation of touching the case of the MacBook is totally normal.

Please note, it is uncomfortable, but not dangerous.

As the power supply is double isolated and the ground of the power supply (the power return wire) is connected to the chassis - it is inevitable that some parasitic voltage will appear on the chassis at around half the supply voltage (60V USA, 120V UK, 110V EUR) - this is the reason why many commenters here don't notice it - they are US/Canada users.

If you look at how a switched mode power supply works, you'll see a there is a essentially a high frequency switch driving a transformer (transformer efficiency varies with frequency and size) and this causes a lot of interference, to get rid of this interference a filter (a capacitor) is connected to "ground" to remove it. However, with a double insulated device, there is no actual "ground" so the chassis has this parasitic voltage sitting on it, the current is microamperes, hence not dangerous.

So, yes, it is very annoying but it is easy to solve, buy an Apple extension cord, it has the ground pin connected and solves the problem entirely. I would dearly like to know why the ground pin isn't connected on the supplied adapter?

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69 replies

Mar 11, 2024 8:22 PM in response to chris.h

<<. there is no 3 prong extension cable option. >>

you can substitute a power adapter from a MacBook -- as long as it has a higher output that the original.

cjt-dev

Level 1

8 points

Aug 18, 2023 6:58 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

DIRECT from Apple.

My last request was to cancel the replacement and to get a refund, but that's when I got disconnected.

The electrical sensation was unexpected (my previous intel based MAC's didn't exhibit this issue) and caused me to raise concern with Apple.

It seems the process has been unnecessarily disruptive and inconvenient.

atm unhappy customer.

mwille64

Level 1

28 points

Aug 19, 2023 1:57 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Are you located in the UK or Malta? Different countries, different electric layouts. Different countries different Voltages. The higher the differential between charger block input and output the higher the electric field produced by the block. And the wire connecting to the MacBook and the entire housing is of course grounded. The grounding goes via the negative DC wire if there is no extra wire for the grounding.

And I except that not everyone is experience the issue, because environmental factors do play a role. So your experience isn't relevant, good for you, but doesn't mean anything for all those (and there are plenty if you bother to search the internet) who have the issue.

I/We got your message, now you don't have to continue arguing with me.

mwille64

Level 1

28 points

Aug 19, 2023 11:31 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

By the way, there is no genius bar in Malta. But there is a 2 year guaranty period in the EU. So I'm still covered. Please stop trying to help people when you have no clue how to. Unfortunately I cannot answer you to your "whining" statement, because I will break the rules here.

Aug 19, 2023 2:26 PM in response to mwille64

mwille64 wrote:

I'm here to inform others about this problem. I don't need help.

if that really is your intent, you accomplished that a long time ago.

You are done now.

If you insist on continuing to argue about it, you must have some other motivations.

Jan 26, 2024 9:03 AM in response to chris.h

IF there is a grounding problem, it is in the charger body itself, NOT in the MacBook Pro.

There are only TWO active wires that connect to your Mac. They are POWER and Return. The Return conductor is arrayed around the insulated Power conductor as a shield.

The LED in the MagSafe (if so equipped) is lit up on command from the COMPUTER, not from the power adapter.

chris.h

Level 1

13 points

Jan 27, 2024 12:15 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

That doesn't help the Macbook Air owners. Air's no longer come with a charger that has a replaceable plug -- it's 2 prong only. This is my point that apple is really ignoring this problem. Who ships a computer that by default electrically shocks the user -- I'm sorry but this is pretty indefensible. I'm fully invested in the Apple ecosystem, but that doesn't mean I defend all their actions, and this one is pretty bad.

Jan 27, 2024 4:20 PM in response to chris.h

Nice.

Without providing adequate evidence, you say ALL MacBook pros are a defective design, and then you say to my face that I am WRONG, then say you are walking away and refuse to discuss it any longer.

flexier Author

Level 1

24 points

Mar 11, 2024 3:17 AM in response to djsamomol

The Apple experts in here have the tendency to simply defend Apple when it comes to issues with the products. I'm sure every single one of them knows this particular issue and understands that it is a design problem, but keep on denying it. I sometimes wonder what the motives behind it are. Trying to help doesn't seem to be the reason.

I have been posting here a decade ago about the Retina display issue with the reflective coating wearing off easily, showing that with a lightly wet cloth one could remove about 90% of the coating with ease. It was the same story back then, until Apple was sued in the US and gave in and replaced all displays.

Here is the bummer, because I managed to remove 100% of the coating, thereby removing the evidence, Apple first refused the replacement. Only after showing them the online evidence in this forum, did Apple gave in.

karapy

Level 1

14 points

May 24, 2024 2:12 PM in response to flexier

I have new MacBook Pro M3 14 inch, when I plugged in the charge (96w original charge, I bought this MacBook 2 days ago) I feel electricity on it's lid when closed and connected to my external montior or lid is open and didn't connected to external monitor, I am not feeling good, what's the issue?

May 24, 2024 2:18 PM in response to karapy

there are already about 55 contributions to this discussion. Your query has been answered, several times over.

if you particular situation is not covered by what is already posted, please start a NEW discussion with a distinctive Title and explain how yours is unique:

Start a NEW discussion

mwille64

Level 1

28 points

May 25, 2024 2:03 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

We got the message. Still it is revolting to pay $20 for a cable when apple could just provide a properly grounded charger in the first place. Zero cost for apple, and a happy customer who is spending $3000 for an already luxury priced macbook.

Jun 5, 2024 12:57 PM in response to chri194

there are more than 60 postings on this thread.

IF and Only if your situation is not solved by the work-arounds already posted here, then all would benefit from your starting a NEW discussion, explaining how yours is different and that the posted solutions do not work for you.

Start a NEW Discussion

ku4hx

Level 7

23,946 points

Aug 18, 2023 4:27 AM in response to flexier

Get a three prong adapter that has a tab or wire to connect to the wall outlet plate screw,

The problem is your electrical system is either not grounded or improperly grounded.

mwille64

Level 1

28 points

Aug 19, 2023 6:49 AM in response to ku4hx

As to the double insulation, electric fields don't care!

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Feeling electric current on MacBook Pro M1 with charger plugged in