MagSafe 1G: Not so Safe..., 2007-07-17 - Your reactions

[linathael]

Within couple of weeks, we received reports about issues concerning the MagSafe plug shipped with the first MacBook Pro. The problem is mostly localized at the junction between the cord and the MagSafe plug. It seems that the electrical cable is twisting and rolling on itself inside the plastic enclosure and at the end gets either cut or reduced, leading to overheating or even more as reported below:

- Report from Fabricius:

Within the past year, I have been using my MBP and its MagSafe power supply always taking care to spread the cord properly. However, with time I add problem when charging the battery, the orange or green light was not shinning anymore, even though the charging procedure was running properly. I noticed that not only my MBP and the power supply were getting hot, but also the MagSafe plug, till couple of days ago when my discover that the cord started melting just before the junction with the power unit:



Even if I used intensively my MBP, one should definitely pay attention as the MagSafe power unit seems to have a tendency to loose quality rapidly, leading to a short-circuit inside the cord (so not visible till it starts burning or melting).

- Report from Seb:

I own one of the first MBP, and I was recently experiencing a problem when charging the battery, as the light would be displayed only when twisting the cable. So, I decided to dissect the cable near the junction with the MagSafe plug in order to see if I could fix the problem… big surprise, the area was partially carbonized as illustrated by the photo below:



I will contact Apple to know if it is cover despite the warranty is expired.

Apple performed a free of charge exchange.

- Report from Bruno

I am writing to you to let you know that the MagSafe plug of my MBP just caught into fire. I immediately unplug it, of course my power unit is dead, but the MBP is fine; likely I was using it when it happened.
Did you receive similar reports about issues concerning MagSafe plug?

- Hereafter is a report from Maconnect:

As you might know, the MagSafe plug shipped with the first generation of MacBook Pro has a well-known problem with its cord which rolls and twist on itself. Apple agreed to send me a new unit for free, as it became almost impossible for me to work with. Today, while I was working, I had some strange feeling at the end of my fingers when I was touching the border of the lower case on my MBP. Couple of hours later I realize that the case of my MBP was simply electrified!
I performed a small video demonstrating that the case delivers constantly 3V. This is only true when the MBP is directly powered from the DC; no problem when running on battery. One can watch the video here: mbp-decharges.mov

In summary, if you own such MagSafe power unit, please pay attention, let us know if you experienced similar events by posting your report on our forum (here), and last but not least, do not hesitate to contact Apple to get it exchange even though the warranty expired, it should be exchange free of charge. Avoid leaving your notebook battery to charge without being around.

[Jean2100]

in my experience, the first part to exchange on any apple notebook is the powersupply. to get the longest life out of mine, i have invested in a second powersupply to keep at work, also because i would regularly forget it at work or home. this minimises the stress on the cable because it has to travel less (and it makes for a lighter luggage). another practise that will probably extend the life of it is, when disconnecting the magsafe plug, not to pull the cable, but to press the plug down and then pull it away from the magnet.

i do think the magsafe connector is an improvement upon the powerbook connector, and it will save the lives of many a macbook which would otherwise land on the floor when someone stumbles on the power cord.

yep.

/jean

[linathael]

in my experience, the first part to exchange on any apple notebook is the powersupply. to get the longest life out of mine, i have invested in a second powersupply to keep at work, also because i would regularly forget it at work or home. this minimises the stress on the cable because it has to travel less (and it makes for a lighter luggage). another practise that will probably extend the life of it is, when disconnecting the magsafe plug, not to pull the cable, but to press the plug down and then pull it away from the magnet.

i do think the magsafe connector is an improvement upon the powerbook connector, and it will save the lives of many a macbook which would otherwise land on the floor when someone stumbles on the power cord.

yep.

/jean

thanks for your comment
nevertheless, let's hope it only concerns MagSafe 1G, and that Apple will offer free echange by default even if hte unit is out of warranty.
you are right, one should not pull the MagSafe via the cable, and really use the white plug; a bit like the connector for charging mobile phone battery.
regards