Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Hofstede

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 15, 2014
93
61
I felt the electric tingling TWICE when charging my iPad Air (2019) with the genuine iPad charger (UK version). Is that normal? Should I take it to Apple store for a check?
 

808drums

macrumors member
Dec 28, 2017
80
55
Try to change the power outlet you use to charge... i have this issue too when I charge my devices at university, its due to bad electrical installation... dont know if this can harm the device or not
 

ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,113
10,899
Try to change the power outlet you use to charge... i have this issue too when I charge my devices at university, its due to bad electrical installation... dont know if this can harm the device or not

See post #2. This is expected behaviour and no harm to the device.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newtons Apple

808drums

macrumors member
Dec 28, 2017
80
55
See post #2. This is expected behaviour and no harm to the device.
This definetely is NOT a expected behavior, altought maybe its normal... bad electrical installations are everywhere...
And chargers doesn't have grounding (the 3rd pin)... so they rely on the neutral portion of power source... if there is energy passing trought the neutral, tingles may occur when you touch your device.
 

ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,113
10,899
This definetely is NOT a expected behavior, altought maybe its normal... bad electrical installations are everywhere...
And chargers doesn't have grounding (the 3rd pin)... so they rely on the neutral portion of power source... if there is energy passing trought the neutral, tingles may occur when you touch your device.

Sorry if I phrased it weirdly. I have come across this behaviour first back in the day when Apple started making notebooks with metal exterior in the early 2000s and this continues on iPads these days.

As you say, it might just be bad technical installations that can be found in many places.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newtons Apple

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,904
13,229
This definetely is NOT a expected behavior, altought maybe its normal... bad electrical installations are everywhere...
And chargers doesn't have grounding (the 3rd pin)... so they rely on the neutral portion of power source... if there is energy passing trought the neutral, tingles may occur when you touch your device.
This is not desired behavior. Unfortunately, it's likely a far too common behavior particularly for old buildings that are not up to current electrical code.
 

Newtons Apple

Suspended
Mar 12, 2014
22,757
15,254
Jacksonville, Florida
This definetely is NOT a expected behavior, altought maybe its normal... bad electrical installations are everywhere...
And chargers doesn't have grounding (the 3rd pin)... so they rely on the neutral portion of power source... if there is energy passing trought the neutral, tingles may occur when you touch your device.

I have not noticed it at home but almost everything I touched at the Apple store had this effect.

I do not think it is an issue.
 

Ric Walker

macrumors newbie
Nov 3, 2019
1
0
I felt the electric tingling TWICE when charging my iPad Air (2019) with the genuine iPad charger (UK version). Is that normal? Should I take it to Apple store for a check?
This issue really pisses me right off... I have a mac book air that does this, and my new ipad Pro is just as crap. Its unusable while charging.
Although ipad is wonderful in many ways, what is wrong with apple 240volt chargers? This emphatically is NOT normal, it's rubbish engineering.
Eventually I found a way of earthing the mac book air, but no obvious option with ipad.
My plan is to use a 12volt supply via a lighter socket, if I can find one with the special plug.
Thoroughly not impressed. Lies and disinformation don't help.
Ric Walker
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.