Apple devices - "Vibrating feel" when charging

Question

I am absolutely not experienced when it comes to electrical stuff at all which is why I hope you can help me out on this one because I am a bit worried right now.

I own a bunch of Apple devices and after making the switch to a new 2017 MacBook Pro I noticed a weird, vibrating feel when striking over the aluminum. I instantly thought that it has to be related to the device being charged right now and indeed: Depending on whether it's charging or not and depending on the shoes I am wearing I can feel this weird, vibrating, tingly feeling.

So, to underline the fact that I have absolutely no clue about any of that I hope that anyone in here feels like giving me a hand and explain to me what I am experiencing here. I am indeed worried because apparently that applies to all of my current Apple devices - The same happens when I use my non original charger (with 24W) on my iPad.

This is a common problem with cheapo chargers that aren't earthed. — Makoto, Apr 16 '18 at 08:16
Also https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/331868/how-to-check-if-there-is-electric-current-on-material-surface — pipe, Apr 16 '18 at 08:18
Thanks for your quick replies, I'll get my Mac charger changed then :) — youngStupidQuestionGod, Apr 16 '18 at 09:02
I can't see that this is a duplicate. I haven't seen the VIBRATION aspect mentioned before, nor an explanation of it. (though the electrical source of the current is a common topic) — Henry Crun, Apr 16 '18 at 11:18
I think the "sensation" is not vibration, but the 120 volts (or lower voltages, depending on your body resistance) forcing a small current thru your fingers. — analogsystemsrf, Apr 16 '18 at 16:22

Jeroen3 · Accepted Answer · 2018-04-16T09:20:50.373

5

This effect has a name. Electrovibration.
And it's due to the charger not being grounded. Leaking a tiny amount of AC current trough capacitive effects in the transformer and Y-class capacitors.
As by design.

This is a recurring question here, see the topics in the question comments.

edited Apr 16 '18 at 09:20

answered Apr 16 '18 at 08:43

Jeroen3

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Thanks for your reply. Considering that it happens with my official Mac charger as well as my cheap iPhone charger, I am gonna let Apple exchange it. – youngStupidQuestionGod Apr 16 '18 at 09:01
1

Since it's a recurring question, you should have closed it, not added yet another answer. – pipe Apr 16 '18 at 09:07
@pipe there are many answers, but none of them are very clear and simple to understand. – Jeroen3 Apr 16 '18 at 09:20
@bqcqON replacing the charger will not remove this effect. – Jeroen3 Apr 16 '18 at 09:21
4

So you add your answer to the already present questions. – Vladimir Cravero Apr 16 '18 at 09:21
@Jeroen3 Cool. Never heard of it, but the effect is incredibly strong on my laptop, and I have always assumed it was an "electricity through the nerves" effect and not a true mechanical one – Henry Crun Apr 16 '18 at 09:24
@VladimirCravero Yes. Until someone writes an in-depth full answer to this we can all link to. – Jeroen3 Apr 17 '18 at 13:58
You can solve this by grounding the computer using Apple's extension cable or a third party grounded duckhead. – Doug Jan 04 '23 at 07:58

Apple devices - "Vibrating feel" when charging

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