I like the idea of a working hub in my house (the Magic Keyboard) that’s always connected and when I attach my iPad to it both charge it and give me a keyboard and mouse. My question is if it’s somehow harming the keyboard to have it always connected to power, although for itself it transfers it nowhere since there's no iPad on it.
iPad Pro, iPadOS 17
While your Power Adapter remains connected to AC, it will still draw power - albeit not much. Perhaps consider that the power consumed by multiple individual Power Adapters - even without a connected appliance/device - will add-up.
Setting aside the cumulative power-draw (that ultimately has to be paid for), a connected but unused Power Adapter represents an avoidable fire risk.
Your Magic Keyboard has no internal battery - and therefore will come to no harm if left connected to its Power Adapter.
However, at its heart, the Power Adapter is a switched-mode power supply. Without delving into detail of how these work, suffice to say that leaving them connected to AC Mains for extended periods, without a load, is not recommended. Aside from other issues, doing so can dramatically shorten the life of the electronics.
Leaving the Power Adapter connected without load also consumes unnecessary power - which, from a “green” perspective is not environmentally friendly. Similarly, as with all AC Mains powered devices, leaving the Power Adapter connected to AC Power when not being actively used presents a small but avoidable safety/fire risk.
If you wish to extend the lifespan of your power (charging) electronics, you would be well advised to switch-off when unused.
Thank you so very much for the detailed response.
So from what you’re saying, I should in general from avoiding connecting charges to the wall without a device that’s charging from them? I always thought that because there’s no device at the end there’s barely to no power since a circuit hasn’t appeared to be closed, but I guess it does by the very connection of the cable. Around my house, I have plenty of charges available and connected so I’ll try to avoid it from now on :)
Thank you very much again for explaining the logic behind it :) I’ll take it into consideration from now on
Is it a problem to keep my iPad’s Magic Keyboard connected to power constantly?
