Genius Bar says this is normal, is it really?

[SeilerBird]

If it didn't spark then you should worry.

 

[ThailandToo]

I see it occasionally on any kind of adapter really, I think it just depends on how your house is wired.

You are correct. This is definitely the electrical outlet and not the charger. Sorry OP.

 

[Realityck]

You are correct. This is definitely the electrical outlet and not the charger. Sorry OP.

The OP asked about an Apple Power adapter and why it sparked when plugged in sometimes. Most power adapter are using hot and neutral prongs. You could plug that into a grounded outlet as well as an ungrounded outlet and see it do the same sparking if the Power adapter hasn't been plugged in for some time. If the wall AC contacts were in poor contact shape you might see some sparking but most of the time that isn't at issue. You can determine that by wiggling the adapter that is plugged in.

 

[Berti10]

The problem is that this doesn't just happen in my house, it happens everywhere. Meanwhile, the entire electrical network of the house is current controlled. I also have an Apple Power Adapter extended cable, it even happens on it.

Here in Germany I encounter that many times. But you won’t see it in bright light. Switch on a light but be in a pitch black environment, you will see the lightning inside the switch.

 

[ossifer]

This is the reason why in the UK we have individually switched outlets. This does happen to my adapters if plugged in without switching the plug off first though.

You have individually switched outlets for the same reason you have fuses in plugs—you lack circuit breakers. Switching off the socket, plugging in, and then switching on the socket only moves the arcing inside the socket. Try switching on slowly and you’ll notice the effect.

 

[CraigJDuffy]

You have individually switched outlets for the same reason you have fuses in plugs—you lack circuit breakers. Switching off the socket, plugging in, and then switching on the socket only moves the arcing inside the socket. Try switching on slowly and you’ll notice

I absolutely assure you that we have circuit breakers (or actually, the more modern RCDs)

 

[adrianlondon]

You have individually switched outlets for the same reason you have fuses in plugs—you lack circuit breakers. Switching off the socket, plugging in, and then switching on the socket only moves the arcing inside the socket. Try switching on slowly and you’ll notice the effect.

We have circuit breakers in the UK.

I'm not an electrician nor in the UK right now to have a look, but I believe it's 32A for the main breakers and 5A for the lighting circuit.

Here in Switzerland, we don't separate lighting from the rest, and there's no issue having sockets in the bathroom for example (with simple RCD o the socket itself- in Germany, there's no need). We do have a 3-phase supply here though for the cooker, as the RCDs are rated much lower than 32A.

What annoys me in the UK is the lack of electrical sockets in the bathrooms. We're not even allowed light switches. We have to put them outside the bathroom (hilarious fun as a kid, turning the lights off when someone's inside) or by a dangly piece of string attached to a sealed switch unit fixed to the ceiling. After travelling abroad, this now seems so old fashioned, but having grown up in the UK I get used to it within a day or two.

Also, switched sockets are a "nice to have"; they're not compulsory. We already have the coolest, safest, foot proddingest plugs in the world.

 

[neuropsychguy]

I’m in the United States. I get sparks like that happening regularly when plugging in adapters like that. It has happened everywhere I’ve lived (dozens of places around the United States) or visited (hotels, friends, family). Not every time, but regularly enough that I’d say it is normal.

Don’t worry about it. Push it in and move on.

 

[apple contributor]

Totally normal for me. Happens even when I plug in a 96W adapter, so I don’t care. But yes, it’s not really safe, not for young people.

 

[Fishrrman]

First thing I thought (before I read Grumpus' reply) was "doesn't look normal to me".

What country is this in?

Hmm.... CraigJ's reply brings up a possible solution.
He mentions "individually switched" outlets.

So... my suggestion for a "solution" is this:
1. Get a power strip/surge suppressor with an on/off switch
2. With the power strip switched OFF, plug in the charger and connect to MBP
3. NOW flip the power strip to ON.

Personal experience:
Sitting here typing this... all my equipment is plugged into a surge suppressor.
At night, EVERYTHING is powered off and disconnected from the mains.
In the morning, flip the surge suppressor on, then the Mac's power-on button.
Works for me.

 

[motorazr]

When I plug in my adapter, there is an electric flash. Their argument is that it can happen because it is 140w. I requested a swap with the new one because it worried me. They accepted it but said that this could happen again with the new adapter. Has anyone encountered something like this? Is this really normal?


View attachment 2460039

120v in my area but that looks like a normal-ish possibility when inserting an adapter — Apple or not.

Apple has a support article internally saying it’s normal also— and externally:

“

If you see a spark​

Sometimes when you plug the power adapter into the wall, you may see a spark. This is usually normal and can occur when you plug any electrical appliance into a live outlet. If the spark comes from somewhere other than the blades of the plug, if you experience any damage or discoloration of the adapter, or if you have other concerns about sparking, contact Apple.”

If your MagSafe cable or power adapter isn't working - Apple Support

Learn what to do if the MagSafe cable or power adapter that came with your Mac laptop computer stops charging or exhibits other behaviors.

support.apple.com

 

[TEG]

This is quite normal with most power supplies if connected to a draw.

 

[MallardDuck]

I saw this when traveling in Europe. If I put the adapter on, then plugged in, no flash. Plugging the power supply into the adapter already plugged in, caused a flash if I didn't go fast.

 

[dmr727]

This is the reason why in the UK we have individually switched outlets. This does happen to my adapters if plugged in without switching the plug off first though.

Forums are a funny thing. I've been wondering about this for years but never bothered to actually research it, and out of the blue I have the question answered for me. Makes sense!

 

[Rychiar]

I'd blame your house. this happens when I plug stuff into my bathroom plug. my wiring is old and plug aren't grounded

 

[ossifer]

I absolutely assure you that we have circuit breakers (or actually, the more modern RCDs)

Ok, yes, I was oversimplifying. I was referring to the prevalent use of ring circuits in the UK, having much greater total wattage than in most other countries, and thereby higher risk, saving on wiring but necessitating every appliance to have its own fuse.