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Apple AC Wall Plug Adapter Exchange Program
Apple are usually kings when it comes to product safety and performance, but in an event out of left field, they have issued a recall on Apple chargers produced over the past 13 years due to safety concerns about the product. With possibly millions of units affected around the globe, this represents a significant exchange program for Apple to undertake.
The potentially faulty products have since been replaced by a newer model, however most people will likely have older model chargers around their homes and offices.
Affected chargers are widespread in Australia as well as other parts of the world, so we strongly encourage people to read about this issue and disseminate the information contained within to both friends, family, and coworkers.
What is wrong with the chargers?
Apple have discovered that this certain model of chargers has been identified as potentially hazardous. The defective devices have caused 12 confirmed incidents that have been identified directly by Apple. The company has not released whether these incidents are cases of electric shocks or fires, but with electricity at play, the possibilities are potentially very dangerous.
Unconfirmed reports by Apple users for many years have highlighted cases involving spontaneous combustion and explosions of charging devices.
Although these occurrences seem to be rare, the potential for damage is evident, and hence Apple have issued a recall.
The problem appears to lie in the power connector part of the charger, and not in the cord that links the pack to the device. These power connectors are the ones where you can slide out the part which has the cord attached to it – and it’s also known as a duckhead.
What chargers are affected?
There are numerous different chargers that have been shipped with various Mac and iOS (that’s iPhone, iPod and iPad to you) devices, along with the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit.
The chargers are models for Australia, New Zealand, Continental Europe, Korea, Argentina and Brazil, and they were shipped from 2003 to 2015 with various Mac products. All chargers identified are of the two prong variety.
For most of us with an Apple device, this means that we will have one or usually more of these potentially dangerous chargers in our home or office, and we may even still be using it.
To determine whether your chargers are of the recalled variety, you need to slide out the two parts of the wall plug. If yours isn’t a slide out model, then it is not affected.
Once you’ve slid out the two pieces, you need to check the part that plugs into the wall. For Australian, New Zealand, and Argentinian plugs, the two prongs will be flat and angled. If your plug has three prongs, then it isn’t affected. If you have two thin round pins which have a slight inward slant for Continental Europe, two think round pins for Korea, or two thin round pins for Brazil, these may also be affected too. Remember to check your travel kits.
Turn over the plug piece in your hand so that you can see the back. In the spot in to middle where the other piece slides in you may see a series of characters. You might also see nothing at all. The affected adapters either has four or five characters written there, or nothing at all. If your adapter is like this then you need to return it to Apple for the recall. Adapters with regional codes AUS, EUR, KOR, ARG, and BRA are not affected.
What do I do with an affected charger?
Affected chargers should be discontinued of use immediately. Although the changes of an incident occurring are very, very small, it’s definitely better to be safe than sorry. We suggest that you go around your home and office and check each charger that you find carefully to see if it is an affected model.
All affected chargers will be replaced by Apple at absolutely no cost to the customer.
Customers may take in any affected chargers into an Apple store for exchange for new models. They are also able to be exchanged at Apple Authorized Service providers. Customers will need to bring in their Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPad serial numbers to verify during the exchange process, although you may be able to receive them if you cannot find your serial numbers, too.
Customers are also able to contact Apple customer support to have new chargers sent out to their homes or offices directly via Australia Post, should visiting an Apple store not be a viable option.
Anyone that believes they have been the victim of a faulty charger should contact Apple immediately to discuss the incident and potentially send their unit in for testing.
Should you need a new charger check out our MFI Apple approved chargers here.
Find out more information about the recall via the Apple website page dedicated to this issue.
