Electric Shock - Apple Support

I'm using my MBP with the 3 prong adapter in a tested grounded outlet and receiving tingling shocks, not static discharge. Furthermore I really got zapped today. So I called Apple. They were very helpful but they hadn't heard of this problem before. So they sent me up the line to a supervisor who also never heard about this problem before. Now, with 150 postings about this issue on the discussion board, you'd think someone else would be calling. Do us all a favor and call them. It's free. Tell them the problem. If enough people make them aware of the issue, then they'll be more willing to develop a solution. This is a product defect. Apple's free support line is 800-275-2273. You don't need a warranty or apple care account or anything. They are very helpful. They just don't have enough data to support a solution yet.

This is probably just an oversight, but you posted this in the iBook forum. I don't think it is an issue here with plastic iBooks, but I have read numerous postings on the MBP forum about this very issue. I hope you will repost it there.
There may well be 150+ postings about this on a world wide forum such as this, but it could well be that it is rare enough that there may easily be Apple people that haven't encountered it. For some reason, people like to post on the user to user discussions forums before or rather than calling Apple.
I do agree that this does need to be reported to Apple. It sounds like an assembly fault and could be dangerous. It may well only affect a small number of computers. The only way that Apple will know is if it is reported directly to them.
Good luck on getting the word out!

Similar Messages

  • RF electric shock from airport on MBP APPLE PLEASE INVESTIGATE!

    Other people have been posting reports of electric shocks from the case of a MBP when the mains charger is connected and battery is near 100%.
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    The other big clue is that if you create as shock and then get a friend or colleague to disable the AIRPORT (as I did) then the shock STOPS at exactly the moment that the AIRPORT connection cuts out.
    In metal macs the case and frame become part of the RF aerial and I am pretty sure that what is happening is that the radiated or received power from the 2.4ghz wireless netwoork is just getting powerful enough to cause this VERY UNPLEASEANT tingling shock.
    It doesn't happen all the time and it does seem to change according to the position of the machine in the room... all of which seem to support the RF theory as moving the machine about will change the RF signal strength.
    PLEASE APPLE you NEED to investigate this... and fix it, because quite apart from the fact that it makes using the MBP with bare arms a rather nasty experience if it does turn out to be RF related it could also be something of a health and safety issue.

    Hi, I'm a Radar Engineer and licensed Radio expert for the last 21 years, and I am certain that the MacBook Pro is NOT an RF Hazard! I do have the equipment at work to measure it , so I will give it a quick test - just to confirm!
    You could do a quick test by switching-off the Airport Card using the upper Menu bar icon
    I think your problem is answered by my post here
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=614377&tstart=0
    (messageID=2994258)
    it is almost certainly a mains live-voltage leakage due to the power adapter not being connected to a good (enough) earth. Possibly your adapter will need to be checked to ensure that the leakage currents are in the safe range of 10 microamps to a couple of milliamps, but they normally all give a bit of leakage. The more powerful the adapter - tends to give slightly more leakage. it is a tiny , tiny current - but in europe it is at quite a noticeable hundred volts or so!
    My Panasonic Sky Box gives exactly the same feeling, but of course I don't often type things on my Sky Box!
    many Macs 512k -> MacBool Pro 2GHz 1GB ram   Mac OS X (10.4.7)   Yes, I have Key Lime

  • My mac book gives electric shock through its entire body while being charged from AC out let. is there a solution to the problem? my other two friends are haveing the same problem who recently have purchased the same note books, its weird for APPLE

    My mac book gives electric shock through its entire body while being charged from AC out let. is there a solution to the problem? my other two friends are haveing the same problem who recently have purchased the same note books, its weird for APPLE products. Please give any solution.

    Is the MBP properly grounded?  Are you using the three prong plug?  If not, do so and your problems may disappear.  If not, do what SwankPeRFection suggests.
    Ciao.

  • Why did my Apple Earpods give me an electric shock?

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    maybe read
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_electricity

  • Exposing internal wiring risking electric shock

    I am outraged by the authorized service in my town.
    I am owner of a Mac Book Pro (s / n: W8926Z3F66D), which had a problem with the original power supply and bought another new major, which before the warranty also had problems with the cable near the connector stripped, exposing internal wiring risking electric shock.
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    I found this absurd against the dealer, where the minimum was unethical in order to damage the image of Dtech Technology. I am a returning customer and have only compliments to this service resale.
    With this response, I tried other technical assistance, call Tecnoagil, which were super courteous and helpful where there left to review and change the power supply, because of the risk of shocks and state of the cable.
    Therefore, I thank providence right now a quick, because I work in the Home Office regime, and that this damaging me.
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  • My late 2007 black macbook gives me electric shocks! Help, can I get compensation for this?

    As my question says, my macbook keeps giving me electric shocks. It hasn't done that before and started just about a week ago. My friends dad that had a faulty Macbook Pro got a new one as it would give a few shocks a day... but as the MacBook isn't known for this I'm not sure what to do and how to prove that it does this? Also my fan is really loud, I've been told to get it "hoovered", is this correct?

    Hello ndilucci,
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    OS X Lion: If your Mac runs slowly
    If you find your Mac is running slowly, check any open applications to make sure they’re compatible with your computer. Or you may need to increase your hard disk space or repair your hard disk.
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    Quit any application that isn’t compatible with your computer. For example, an application may require a different processor or graphics card. See the documentation that came with the application to find out what it requires.
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    To see what graphics card your computer has, choose Apple menu > About This Mac, click More Info, and then click Displays.
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    Quit any applications you’re not using.
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  • Electric shocks on Macbook Pro

    Hello to all,
    I'm having issues with my brand new Macbook Pro (it has less that two weeks), I get this annoying electric shocks near the dvd drive and the keyboard. This is quite often, in 15 min. I got three electric shocks.
    Since it's not normal I ask you if you have any problem or suggestion about this, the Apple support in my country is restricted and probably get another Macbook Pro will cause me more problems since I need to install and move all again.
    I have call my local Apple support and they could not help me much.
    Thank you for you help!
    null
    <Post Relocated by Moderator>

    "I have call my local Apple support and they could not help me much."
    Why not? Not even advising you to take your computer to a repair shop for a look-see?
    Personally, I would not put up w/any type of "shock" coming from a computer. If I were you since your computer is still under warranty, I would call Apple Customer Service in your country.

  • I just purchased a 13" MacBook Pro, when i have the charger pugged in I get tingling electric shocks from the case. Is this a known and fixable problem?

    I am using the supplied/genuine charger. The MBP is less than a week old and never dropped or abused.
    When I run my fingers over any part of the body I can feel tingling electric shocks. Surely this isn't acceptable or safe?

    The thing I find suspicious is that if it is a known problem, and there has been an official assessment that it poses no danger to the consumer, then I believe the documentation stating such would have to be made available upon request.  When a car maker issues an internal dealer alert about an maintenance issue that is not dangerous and which does not justify a recall, they are still required under consumer laws to make that information available to owners in writing if requested.  The same thing holds for most consumer products - you are not expected to merely take the word of an employee that it has been determined to be "acceptable and not dangerous" - the company is required to provide the documentation that supports that claim for a supposedly known issue.
    I've owned several Apple laptops since the introduction of the first all metal cased Titanium powerbooks up to my current MBP (the first unibody model), and NONE have ever done what you describe.  Regardless of what plug  connector I have used on the charger, or where I have plugged them in (at home, at work, hotels, airports, other peoples homes).
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  • Hi, I got an Error 23 when trying to restore my phone. Apple support centre says its a hardware issue without doing anything to come to this conclusion. They will not tell me how to escalate this case. Please let me know if there is a way to escalate.

    One day when tried to restart my iphone 4, I got a screen asking me to connect to itunes. Itunes asked me to restore my phone. When I tried to restore, I got an Error 23 saying it cannot be restored. I tried the phone support. They asked to contact the service centre. I then tried the service centre guys. They clearly did not know what Error 23 was. They asked to contact the apple support again. After 2-3 guys tried to blow me off saying it is a hardware issue, I asked for a senior analyst. Apple support assigned a senior guy who said he will contact the engineering team. After 2 days, I was told that the engineering team has confirmed that this is a hardware issue.
    What I am surprised about is that no one seems to have done any analysis or debugging to figure this out. How do they decide that this is a hardware issue?
    The first time I tried it from my laptop and got this message. The support guy told me that my laptop may have an antivirus software which may be causing this issue. So I took it to the service centre. They tried the same restore from their machine and got the exact same error.
    The senior analyst that was later assigned to my case, again asked me to restore from my machine. I got the same error.
    Basically what they had verified in all these activities was that I was getting error 23. I dont know how they decided that this was due to hardware issues?
    Online documentation on Error 23 is vague. It is bunched long with other error codes. There is no clear explanation of what Error 23 is.
    But most importantly It says 'In rare cases, this may be a hardware issue'.
    So if it is a hardware issue in rare case, how was my case deemed to be a 'rare case'?
    When I asked them to escalate this, they said that there is no way to escalate.
    I have had a horrible experience with Apple support. Till this point I used to think of Apple as a class apart. But now I am totally disillusioned.
    My phone was about a year and a half old. I dont mind it if it actually turns out to be a hardware issue. I will take it as my bad luck.
    But I dont see how the support guys decided that this is a hardware issue. I need to know.
    And secondly I am shocked that Apple has no escalation path.
    Can anyone please help?

    Hi @imobl,
    You sound like an Apple support guy who hasn't been able to answer my questions.
    To respond to some of the points you made,
    - I did not ignore Ocean20's suggestion. If you has read my post, you would have known that I took my phone to the apple service centre where they tried this restore on THEIR machines. I am assuming that Apple guys know how not to block iTunes. So I actually do not understand your point about me trying the hosts file changes on my machine. Do you not believe that apple tested this issue with the correct settings?
    - you also give a flawed logic of why the issue is a hardware issue. You mentioned that If I thought that the issue was with the software, i should try a restore and getting it to work. The problem is that my error (23), and many others comes up when the restore fails. And you would be astonished to know that not all errors are hardware errors. Sometimes even software errors prevent restores. Funnily enough Apple itself mention that 'in rare cases, error 23 could be hardware related'.
    - all Apple has done so far is replicate the issue. I don not know how anyone can conclude that the issue is a hardware issue.
    And by the way, I am not certain that this is a software bug. Again if you read my Posts, you will notice I only want a confirmation,/proof that the issue is hardware related as they mention..
    Please refrain do. Responding if there is nothing to add.

  • HT3939 Hi there I've got an iPhone 5 starting to get electric shocks of fone when I leave it on charge! Can you help me in this matter! Fone is constantly over heating the shock I got off phone really hurt! So please can u get intouch on

    Hi there I've got an iPhone 5 starting to get electric shocks of fone when I leave it on charge! Can you help me in this matter! Fone is constantly over heating the shock I got off phone really hurt! So please can u get intouch on
    <Edited By Host>

    This is a user forum and is not Apple.  I would definitely recommend that you stop using your iPhone and take it to be checked.

  • Electric shocks in iPhone 4 and Macbook Pro

    Hi
    When I first started using my white 32GB iphone 4 a month ago, I felt very slight electric shocks and static-like feeling and a kind of pins and needles feeling in my hands. I soon either forgot about it or got used to it.
    Then 2 weeks ago, I got a new 15" 2011 macbook pro (from Smart Deals on Amazon). When I was using the trackpad, I felt even more electric shocks and pins and needles in my hands and my hair has even started standing on end. When I used the laptop on my lap, it got boiling hot and the pins and needles, electric shocks and static in my body got even worse. Now, when I use my old macbook on my lap I'm even getting the same problem.
    I have a carpeted 2nd floor flat and lots of electric devices. As far as I know all of my plug sockets are earthed.
    I'm now not sure if the problem is psychological. My cousin held the phone outdoors and agreed that it was giving him shocks.
    Could I have developed a static sensitivity since using the phone and the macbook pro?
    Maybe I need an electrician to come to the flat or see a doctor.
    But seriously, is there likely to be a fault with the macbook pro as this is by far the worst of the causes of the shocks and probably what started all of this? I need to get to the bottom of this quickly so I can decide whether to take back my macbook pro and/or iphone.
    Thanks
    Steve

    Steve,
    Someone suggested carpal tunnel syndrome to me as well. But I was able to see an orthopedic surgeon a few weeks ago who ruled that out. I'll see my regular doctor in a week for a yearly checkup. It may be worth getting yourself checked out.
    When you went to the Apple store, were you able to test other phones to see whether they would give you shocks? That is one of my next steps. I've entertained the idea that it is mainly me--acute sensitivity to electricity but a recenlty acquired sensitivity. It did not begin until I started using the iphone in June. Before that electronic devices did not give me shocks, and I did not feel pinpricks or burning. My habits have not changed. Someone joked that regular yoga may be making my less blocked nerves more sensitive. That I take with a big grain of salt.
    I'll call the nearest store to see if they will let me test other phones out.
    Thanks and I'll keep you posted,
    Tom

  • Get Electric Shock While I Touch My PowerBook

    I always get electric shock while I touched my powerbook.
    Although it is a minor shocks, but it happens frequently.
    I go crazy about that.
    My parents touch me while I am using it,
    they can feel that there is current flow into my body.
    They tell me that it is harmful to me.
    I bought it with applecare, and it is still under warranty.
    I need some expertise advise on how should I deal with my PowerBook.

    Welcome to Apple Discussions!
    I've found this is most common a problem if you don't use the grounding outlet that came with your power cord. That means you need to use a three prong connector to the wall, instead of a two.
    The next most common issue is if you walk across a carpet or wet floor, you will pick up static electricity. It is a good idea to discharge your static electricity before touching the computer by touching a desk or other object connected to the floor.
    One time I walked across a wet carpet because of a flood, touched a computer keyboard, and fried the computer with my static electricity.
    Message was edited by: a brody

  • 27" iMac electrical shock

    I'm getting an electrical shock on the outside aluminum case of my iMac- it is extremely strange and dangerous.  This iMac
    is a refurbrished one less than a year old. The mac is plugged into a grounded outlet as well.  The current is also translating to
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    to the thunderbolt port and/or any USB device attached.  How can the case become electrified??

    If it's still under warrany contact Apple immediately and take it back.  I'm sure they will replace it. That's not to be messed with.
    OT

  • Current leakage/electric shock while charging

    I just own the Macbook Pro Retina Display for a few days and everytime I'm trying to charge it with the supplied charger, the metal casing has feel of electrical shock! I encountered this at all location regardless of power sources, from various countries  in hotel and at home.
    If I use the power plug adapter that has 3 pins adapter with extension cable, it will eliminate the problem as it has ground contact on the adapter. However, the 3 pins or 2 pins adapter that direct attach to the power adapter without extension cable does not come with ground contact. I would not want to bring the extension cable everywhere.
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    Hi Casper-Tech
    I am also the owner of the new retina display macbook pro and just few days after the purchase, i realised that it passes me electricity shock whenever I glide my fingers on the aluminium chasis body, especially the metal next to where we plug in out power (below the screen).
    This happens when I use the 3 pin plug directly to the magsafe 2 whilts this problem is gone when I use the extension cable.
    I have contacted Apple Care and they also said that this EXTREMELY WEIRD phenomenon is normal with the 3 pin plug as there is no grounding on the plug while the extension cable does have it.
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    Meanwhile, I just intend to bring the machine and the plug to Apple Service Centre to have it look at and check whether there is a damage on my macbook pro.
    If you feel unsatisfied/uncomfortable with this issue, you can get yourself a 3 pin plug with higher fuse rating or you can ask for a refund. That was what the Genius Bar suggested me.
    Cheers. I bet there are many people with this problem but they just don't realise it yet.

  • Electric shock fom iPod touch....

    Hi
    Okay so I plugged my iPod into the wall to charge whilst doing so I went on to the Internet to check something out. Then I received a massive electric shock when I locked my iPod. Is there anything I can do to prevent this as it has happened lots before???
    Many thanks,
    Anna.

    Could be a problem with the charger or iPod.  Does it happen with another wall charger
    With your computer?
    If it is the iiPod, then I would make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store.

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