Grounded/Earthed vs Ungrounded/Unearthed plugs on MacBook power adapter

My MacBook comes with both a grounded extension cable and an unearthed plug. Also, there is a travel kit available with all kinds of adapters for international outlets, both earthed and unearthed, depending on the system.
1. Is there any reason to use the cable vs the plug while in the US, provided the outlet is properly wired?
2. Is there any reason to run my own ground wire when living abroad, while using the proper adapters and converters and using a properly wired outlet?
3. Is there any benefit to buying Apple's expensive travel kit vs a much cheaper universal adapter?
I have a pocket multimeter that I carry in my suitcase to actually check for proper wiring. I have a little plug-in circuit tester too, but it is only useful in ~110V systems with B-type plugs. I used to be an electricians assistant and I know how to do basic wiring, but I really have no clue why we do it, especially when it comes to ground.

It keeps the green light on for a while after I unplug it from the notebook. The scratched part is extension from the old adapter.

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If I always have my MB Pro plugged into the power adapter. . . .

If I always have my MB Pro plugged into the power adapter, will my battery still wear out as it would if I were depleting and recharging it daily?
I tend to find a power outlet anywhere that I go in order to run my MB Pro on the adapter rather than using battery power. It's a habit that formed while using my 6 year old Powerbook G4 with about 5 minutes of battery life per full charge.
I understand that it shouldn't wear out to the same extent as running the battery down constantly, but is there still a significant effect?
Does the adapter bypass a full battery and power the computer directly?
I feel like an idiot asking this question, but I am really curious.
Thanks in advance for your responses.

Various yes and no takes on it:
[http://news.tigerdirect.com/2008/02/08/fact-or-fiction-leaving-your-laptop-plug ged-in-all-the-time-will-harm-your-battery>
[http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=83889]
The official Apple stance (which I take to be a "don't" leave it always plugged in):
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html
However, still more takes on the issue:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9867559
[http://www.google.com/search?q=leavelaptop+plugged+in+permanentlysite:apple.com]
Message was edited by: Limnos

Macbook Power Adapter not being replaced

Hi,
My macbook power adapter got burnt first from Magsafe connector end and I stapled it myself and now its burnt from the end where it connects to the adapter itself.
I appraoched the service center but they are saying that they cannot replace the adapter because it is tampered. However all I did was I tried to fix the wires from the magsafe end just to make sure it is well connected and it was a minor issue. Now this small fix is causing me this big cost.
I am worried because the way the adapter is, it got burnt from both end as the cable is so soft and weak that it gets damaged with uses and even if I invest money again there is a good chance that it will get damaged again.
Please suggest. I was in love with apple products but this adapter issue is a big setback. I even started bloggin about apple products and now it seems that I have to tell the truth to people how bad this apple adapter is in deed. Bad experience overall!

Actually, Apple is very good at replacing faulty adapters. It is fairly inexpensive for them to do and to not do so could cause them more serious problems if those faulty adapters should ignite and catch fire.
It seems the most common problem people have with the MagSafe connector is pulling on the cable to remove it. The MagSafe connector is designed to be a safety feature to prevent damage to your MacBook in case the cord is accidentally pulled (someone tripping over it, etc.). The idea being to sacrifice the adapter vs. the MacBook. When removing the MagSafe connector, you should be removing it at the connector itself, not by tugging the cable. The connector is very easy to remove if you simply tilt it either side to side or up/down.
The biggest problem here is your attempted repair. To use a staple to fix a problem such as a loose power connector that, as you say, was burnt is a questionable repair. You really shouldn't play around with items related to power supply. A staple used to hold the cable to the MagSafe connector would have to be VERY close to the connector itself and also like very close to the broken and possibly shorting wires. It is possible that the repair may have caused more damage. A staple in that area and one stapled tight enough to actually hold everything in place could easily short the connectors in the MagSafe.
You really should have brought this to Apple's attention when you had the initial problem. "None of this would have ever happened had Woody gone directly to the police".

My MBP Retina 15" shutdown when I plug it with Power adapter.

My MBP Retina 15" will auto-shutdown when I plug it with Power adapter.

Hi ...
Try here > Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters

US IBook AC plug adapter into European MacBook power adapter?

Hello everybody,
I have a MacBook white, bought in France, and I would like to use it in the US. Some years ago I bought a power adapter for my IBook G3 in the US, so I kept the AC plug adapter. Do you think it is safe to use the old AC plug adapter with the new power adapter? It looks just like the plugs shown in the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit, but I prefer to be sure. I just don’t want to burn my Mac!
Hoping someone could help…

Perfectly fine. It's a standard connector that Apple hasn't changed in years. It's an extremely simple passive connection with no electronics. I've been freely swapping the adapter plugs from iBook, MacBook, and iPod power adapters.

MacBook power adapter.

Hi,
I am getting a white MacBook. Will it do any harm if a 85 watts power adapter for a MacBook Pro is used instead of the 60 watt adapter recommended.
Thanks for any answers,
Alan.

Hi gtake,
Thanks for the reply. You have confirmed what I was told by a friend but I wanted to make sure.
Regards from England,
Alan

MacBook Power Adapter Fraying?

Hi guys,
I'm a little frustrated. My MacBook Pro's power adapter has been acting funny lately. Then I realized it's because my power adapter only works if you hold it a certain way. So I moved the clip that is near the magnet, and I saw the cord was a little deformed.
Anyway, I'm at a loss for what to do--do I call AppleCare, just go out and buy a new power adapter... totally at a loss.
Thanks,
John

the same exact thing happened to me, i took it into my applestore and they gave me a brand new one no questions asked. They said a lot of people expereience this. Don't buy a new one because 9 times out of 10 your covered!! hope this helped!!

Shuffle wont plug into usb power adapter

I bought the usb power adapter that plugs into the wall for my shuffle,but the shuffle doesnt fit in the adapter. What do I do>

John,
I have two Shuffles, and both work just fine with the USB Power Adapter. Assuming you can plug your Shuffle into a computer's USB port, then the problem must be with the Power Adapter -- unless you're trying to plug the Shuffle in upside-down. For a new adapter the fit is tight, so push a little bit once you're sure you've got the Shuffle oriented properly. When you get it to fit, you'll find that the Shuffle charges best when it's turned OFF -- and be patient once you plug it in because it takes almost a minute for the Shuffle's status light to illuminate.
Roger

Black MacBook Power Adapter

Will the 60W Magsafe Power Adapter currently listed at the Apple Store work with my 2006 black MacBook 3,1?

If that's the same wattage as the one you now have it will be fine (I'm pretty sure all the MacBook power adaptors are the same wattage.)

My ibook battery slowly drains even when plugged in to power adapter

i just got my ibook G4 14 " screen and each day i have had it the battery has read lower and lower. it usually goes down one percent a day. is it normal for batteries to slowly drain like this even when the computer is plugged in?

The battery is designed to let a little juice out so it isnt 100% all the time. Usually stays at 99% though.
If you see it going into the mid-low 90's then i think theres something wrong.
Also i notice if you unplug it for a few minutes and drain it a few percent, it wont fill it up again untill it goes below 95% or so.
Hope this helps

Is it normal with higher temperature when plug in with power adapter?

Hey guys, I am wondering if is normal that the computer is much more hotter when running with the power plug in, because the temperature is much more lower when running with battery.

I have the same issue exactly, i downloaded istat pro widget as it monitors the temperature and it tell you what is the temperature but now i am trying to find what is the normal temperate for mac book pro is i know when it is getting hot

Is it ok to use the other macbook power adapters with the mb air?

I have a few extra power adapters for the Macbook Pro and Macbook. Does anyone know what Apple officially says about plugging one of those into the Macbook Air? I've heard rumors that it's risky and might void the warranty, but I would like to see a direct quote if there is one.
I know those other magsafe plugs are impossible to use if you keep the MBAir on a flat surface, but it's definitely convenient to use a spare Macbook Pro / Macbook power adapter if you put your Air on a laptop stand, or even on a book.

I think we are mixing terms here.
I believe the Macbook Air, Macbook and Macbook Pro power adapters are 45W, 60W and 85W respectively. The power adapters don't push power to the notebooks, the notebooks draw power from the power adapters, Consequently you can always use a higher wattage adapter.
The Macbook and Macbook Pro use different voltages but all the power adapters seem to be able to use each. The Macbook Pro uses 4.6A (amps) and the Macbook uses 3.65A and the Macbook Air 3.1A. Pushing to many amps to a device would ruin the unit, but it seems like this has been planned as you can mix and match all the magsafe adapters today and they all function properly.
I have read that the notebook knows whether it can draw enough power to recharge the battery or only enough to run the computer while it is on and that in the latter case it will charge the battery when the notebook turns off. Whether this is bad for the charger or the notebook is unclear, but since the notebooks seem to respond intelligently in those different situations I think that the apple engineers have planned accordingly. If you draw too much power from the airline adapter for example, the airline adapter will simply stop providing power temporarily and the light will go off for a moment.

Charging Macbook with Macbook Air's power adapter

I have noticed that the power connector on the late 2008 aluminum Macbook accepts the Macbook Air's power adapter's plug. The Macbook Air's power connector also accepts the aluminum Macbook's power adapter's connector. So, can these power adapters be used interchangeably? The output power specifications are a little different. The Macbook Air's power adapter supplies voltage that is a bit lower than the aluminum Macbook's.
The reason I am asking is that if my wife and I both travel with our laptops (she has Macbook Air and I have the new Macbook), it would be nice to be able to bring only one power adapter and use it with both laptops. I have also noticed that the airplane power adapter shipping with the aluminum Macbook (late 2008) is the same one that I bought for my wife's Macbook Air. However, according to Apple, the airline power adapter does not charge the battery, but only powers the laptop.

It is safe to use your macbook power adapter on the macbook air, but not the otherway around. The macbook air power adapter won't supply enough power to the macbook and probably will overheat and eventually burn out (if not worse).
Glor

Is it safe to use the power adapter without the grounding pin?

Is it safe to use the power adapter without the grounding pin?
Last time I unplugged my power adapter the grounding pin stayed in the wall socket. Is it safe to use it with just the 2 prongs?

Is it safe to use the power adapter without the grounding pin?
No. If a short circuit occurs, it may cause the case of the computer or other device to build up an electric charge. The grounding pin absorbs any charges generated this way; without it, someone touching the device may get shocked.
(52105)

Powerbook G4 won't charge battery or run with power adapter plugged in.

My Titanium Powerbook G4 will not charge the battery or run with the power adapter plugged in. When plugged in the power adapter doesn't change to amber showing its charging. Instead it has a green light that flashes off and on. I thought it was a defective power adapter but when its plugged in to another powerbook its seems to be working properly. I reset the PMU but that didn't help. I have been unable to find anything that would tell me what a flashing green means.
Powerbook Titanium G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Hi, Marshall. With no power being supplied to the Mac for several months, not only has your main battery gone flat (and may never again be able to take a charge), but your internal backup battery has also gone flat. A Tibook with a dead backup battery generally will not start up at all, even with AC power connected.
Try this: remove the main battery and leave the AC power adapter connected overnight in an attempt to recharge the backup battery. If the Powerbook won't start in the morning under AC power, the backup battery is shot, has lost the ability to be charged, and must be replaced.
If the PB starts up in the morning on AC power, set the date and time correctly, shut the computer down, insert the main battery, and allow 48 hours with AC power connected in an attempt to charge the main battery. Then disconnect the AC adapter and try to start up under battery power. If that doesn't work, and no lights or only one flashing light appear when you press the power-indicator button on the battery, you'll have to replace the main battery.
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

Grounded/Earthed vs Ungrounded/Unearthed plugs on MacBook power adapter

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