Macbook Pro charger burned- help? (Pics)

Just happened to me today to TWO chargers so I cry BS on the wrapping issue as I wrap my cables very loose and use a Velcro tie to keep them together. The fact this happened to two of my chargers on the same day in the same outlet that I have used all day to charge and use other devices on totally cry's foul on Apple as a issue of life span with some part of the materiel near the part of the charger that will take the most strain due to the weight of the block. Thank GOD I was home when both happened as I smelled the burning and then saw the smoke. Not happy at all. I don't care how old the cable are they should not threaten to burn your house down when they are nearing the end of life span.

I have never had this happen before. It looks like the insulation cracked at the strain relief maybe exposing wires or allowing them to short out. Do you wrap the cables tightly around the adapter when not in use?

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

In any event, I would contact Apple and see what they say.

It's a common problem. In my experience, Apple will replace it if within warranty or AppleCare, but probably won't otherwise ( although it doesn't hurt to ask ). If in the UK, you have additional consumer rights for up to six years.

Do ask, yes. an Apple store in the US replaced my 2007 one, although it was purchased in the UK & never had AppleCare. Some questions about did I look after it & not over-bend the cable, then ok, here's a new one.

Hi,

I have the same problem, except it has happened to my chargers two times, I'm now on my third charger. Same thing each time exactly like your picture shows.

Similarly I never wrap up the cord, I never pull it out of the plug by the chord (I gentle wriggle it out at the plug) I never leave it in charging and I never leave the wall plug in turned on when the charger isn't being used.

I don't know why it keeps happening, but by taking extreme care of the charger the issue hasn't occurred again.

If anyone has any other solutions to this issue, I too would be keen to know 🙂

I have had the same problem and have replaced two chargers. This is a portable device that will in most case be used at least once a day. No doubt on occasion rough handling may cause some strain on the cable but it does seem that it should not require special precautions when wrapping the cable.

My viewpoint,

The thicker grommit is stiff where the cable comes out from the charger. Even though the thinner cable itself is flexible at the point where the transition from stiff to thinner / flexible occurs there will be a failure due to the fact that the cable can not bend and all the strain is focused at this point.

I would think reducing the stiffness of the grommet or increasing the strength of the flexible cable might prevent the same thing happening.

Some may consider this a design fault . For sure it is an expensive charger. Maybe apple should think about repairing the cable free of charge?

I guess - welcome to the club 😟 Just had mine burned - with smoke and smell. Good - I was working at home and I have an Apple Store nearby. Bad - $89+tx for the charger. Whatever was the actual reason - this must not happen. This thing can burn the house. Needless to mention that this specific charger - I was keeping it always at home and never wrapped the wire around it. Never in my life anything like this happened to any power adapter.

Uugghhh I've had this happen twice too! I can barely afford to replace it! I've just tried being extra careful with the cord. I've also heard to us the springs from like, pens, to wrap around to make sturdy, haven't tried that. The :-* at Best Buy suggested maybe the wattage of the adapter? Too high? I got mine from school so the wattage cord should have been correct the first time... I have a mac model a1286 and using an 85watt.

I'm extremely frustrated with this!

My wife's power adapter melted at the other end. It was plugged into a surge bar, and left a nice burn mark on our laminate flooring